What is Professionalism in an Employee ?

Professionalism in an employee means

Knowing one’s job and responsibility, fully and completely.   If not clear,  then seeking clarification from one’s superiors.

Learning, developing and practicing,  the best way of carrying out the assigned tasks - keeping in mind the quality, cost, delivery, legal, ethical,  environmental, and social  impact aspects and costs. 

How is this to be done ? 

·  Learning from books, manuals, training programmes,  other experienced people and from one’s own mistakes.

·        Making realistic but challenging commitments, particularly on time aspect.

·        Once a commitment is made,  moving heaven and earth to meet the same.  The 9 to 5 concept is no longer valid.  It has been replaced by the  A to Z  work style i.e. complete the entire job from A to Z before you leave.  Today’s work has to be done today  --  not carried forward to tomorrow.

·        Keeping your boss/superior fully and regularly informed of the progress you are making,  from time to time.  In case there is likely to be any delay from the  previous commitment or any shortfall from the committed quantity,  immediately informing your superior.  This will give him time to take any corrective action or get the job done by bringing in additional resources or from some alternative source. 

·    Nobody likes surprises,  especially surprises about slippages or failures. Hence always communicate,  regularly about your work with the concerned departments /sections  as well as your boss.

·    Treating your internal customer with the same respect and care as for an external customer  --  this will bring dramatic results and greatly improve team-work.

The above, in turn,  requires that the employee :

a)   reports in time for work.

b)   follows the discipline of the organisation.

c) behaves / inter-acts politely and pleasantly  with his/her colleagues, superiors, customers and all other persons that he/she comes in contact with,  in the course of his/her work.

d)   does not idle his/her time during working hours.

e)   keeps his/her workplace neat , clean and well-organised,  such that even in his/her absence,  colleagues can locate and access official working papers/documents/files without any difficulty.

f)     fills all forms and makes all reports, as required, regularly and in time.

g)   respects and adheres to all company and (geographic) location protocol and culture

h) respects and follows, diligently,  all safety and security practices and protocol.