Career, Career Development, Self-Development / By Adesola Sotande-Peters

The spread of the coronavirus from late last year was an eye-opener on many fronts. In the labour market, the world witnessed phenomenal job losses, particularly among young people. This was as a result of companies downsizing in order to stay afloat as the pandemic reached its peak.

Needless to say, many were fired without a second thought. Some of the reasons they were not retained predated the pandemic. Coronavirus was just an excuse. They already exhibited certain traits and attributes that made them dispensable. Check this list to be sure you don’t fall into the same category.

Punctuality

Are you constantly late to work? You are at the risk of losing your job. Even in places like Lagos that have become synonymous with traffic, most employers still consider it mere excuse to come in late, especially if traffic remains your one reason day-in-day-out. You should study the pattern of your commute to ensure that you are only late in extraordinary circumstances. Traffic in Lagos is now an ordinary circumstance.

Insubordination

Your lack of decent workplace respect for your superiors will get you out of the door faster than you can say the word ‘insubordination’. No matter how much you believe you know, better than your superiors, you must learn to manage your relationship with them well. Present yourself as an asset, not a rival or competitor. Else, you run the risk of making them your enemy. You don’t want that.

Shoddy Deliverables

Your work is the real reason you were hired. Or ought to be. It means, even when you do a lot of other bad things, the quality of your deliverables may allow your company keep you around for a longer period. Doing poor work that is low on usability and innovation is a quick way to get fired. You must constantly improve yourself. Don’t turn in work late. Also, ensure that you know the industry standard; do your best to either maintain it or go above it. Never below.

Harassment

This may not only get you fired. You can earn yourself a good lawsuit as well, and lose out on valuable savings in damages pay-outs you never bargained for. All forms of harassment should be completely blocked out. Remember that you do not define what inappropriate behaviour is. The law and workplace policies do. You should study them and know what constitutes harassment. And then, be sure to completely stay away from those actions.

Poor Personal Discipline

With workplaces becoming remote, work-from-home means the organisation relies on you to be disciplined with a lower level of supervision. If you end up not taking the initiative to get ready to work, and be consistent in churning out quality deliverables, you are at the risk of quickly losing your job. Treat remote work with an even higher level of work ethic and discipline than normal. Reduce distractions and focus on being productive. Remote work is not for relaxation. Double your effort.

To avoid losing your job through your own effort (or lack of it), take note of these things and do away with them. You may be able to save your job.
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