by Cody Hodge

Created on: December 28, 2009

When it comes to workplace behavior, I think that the successful person knows what is expected of them. You come to work, do your job and then go home. While you are at work you need to be professional, courteous and a hard worker. However, it can be easy to get comfortable in your surroundings and do some things that can get you fired. Even the nicest of people can run afoul of employee handbook rules.

The first thing you need to avoid is spending any unnecessary time on company property for personal items. Sure, you can get away with calling your kids if your need to, or an emergency call from your wife, but a conversation on your phone is grounds for dismissal if not some sort of disciplinary action. You need to be aware of the company policy and how strictly it is enforced before you assume it is OK to do anything personal in nature.

I heard a story about a man who was fired from his job as a stock broker because he answered an e-mail about fantasy football. The guy spent five minutes talking about why Trent Edwards was a poor pick up and he gets canned. The termination was for gambling, which is technically something you should not do at work. The NCAA tournament pool or fantasy football might sound like harmless fun to most, but it could be viewed as gambling or a waste of time by your boss.

Don't come to work looking like you are under the influence of something. You might be just tired, but if you come into work with a wrinkled shirt and different colored shoes, you are asking to be investigated. If you are tired and had a rough night just say so when you come to work so that people understand why you are so frazzled. You might get sent home for some sleep or to clean up, but you will have a job to return to the next day.

Disobeying your boss could get you fired. This might sound obvious, but it goes again with the whole concept of becoming too familiar with your surroundings. You might have a good relationship with your boss, but you need to respect the boss-employee relationship. You never know when saying no could get you fired.

There are many ways that you can get fired from a job. However, it is also pretty easy to keep your job as well and it is easy to find out what is considered grounds for termination. Just do your job, stay out of trouble and treat others how you would like to be treated. That is how you keep your job as opposed to finding yourself unknowingly on the unemployment lines.

Learn more about this author, Cody Hodge.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.