Beginning A New Job

1. Beginning A New Job

2. First Day Questions • The first day on a new job is a time of excitement and anxiety. Write a list of questions and concerns you might have on your first day of work. Then write a list of what you could do to answer your questions and address your concerns.

3. Beginning A New Job Objectives • Anticipate and manage anxieties and challenges of a first day of work. • Understand company policies and payment procedures. • Explain benefits that employers offer workers. • Discuss the significance of employee performance reviews.

4. Terms • Commission – Earnings based on how much an employee sells • Company Culture – The behaviors, attitudes, and values of the employees and owners which are unique to the company • Layoff – A job loss that results from a business decision • Mentor – A senior coworker who coaches a new employee in jobs skills and procedures

5. Terms Cont’d • Orientation – A program introducing you to the company’s policies, procedures, and benefits. • Performance Review – A meeting with your supervisor to evaluate how well you’re doing in your job. • Probation – A trial period after an employee is first hired. • Wage – A fixed amount of pay for a set amount of time spent working.

6. Having a Good First Day • Observing others and reading the company manual are both ways of learning the company culture.

7. Dressing for the Job • Dress codes at work vary, but you should never wear worn-out clothes. • Relaxed professional clothing that some companies allow people to wear to work is called business casual dress.

8. Learning the Ropes • During orientation, you will learn about the company’s purpose or mission.

9. Payment • Nonexempt employees are workers who are normally paid an hourly wage and are entitled to earn overtime. • Federal law requires that a nonexempt employee be paid overtime. • Exempt employees are workers who earn a salary and is not paid for overtime. • A salary is a fixed amount of pay for a certain period of time, usually for a month or a year. • Employees who work on commission typically work in sales.

10. Payment Cont’d • Incentives • To show employees that their efforts are appreciated, many companies offer incentive plans. • In some companies, workers who increase the quantity or quality of their work receive performance bonuses. • A performance bonus rewards workers for achievement. • In a profit sharing plan, workers receive a share of the company’s profits.

11. Benefits • Health insurance is probably the most desirable benefit. • An example of a convenience benefit is day care for employee’s children. • In today’s workplace, health benefits are a large part of the employee package. • A pension plan is a savings plan for retirement.

12. Honest and Fair Treatment • In today’s workplace, the relationship between the employer and employee is based on current value of work.

13. Evaluations • A cafeteria plan allows employees to choose only the benefits they need or want.

14. Standard Separation Procedures • One way to prepare for possible job loss is to keep your skills up-to-date.