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How Employees Can Support Each Other

Sure, we all want to be promoted. We all want a raise. Workplaces promote natural competition among employees. It is not surprising to anyone, but it is equally important for employees to experience workplace camaraderie as it is to vie for better jobs.  However, your workplace — whether you work in a small office, in a retail store or spend most of your time in a big company with departmental colleagues — should be supportive, and not adversarial. So, how can employees in any type of workplace support each other? We have a few suggestions.

 

SIMPLE – BUT REMEMBER YOUR COLLEAGUES’ BIRTHDAYS.

It does not seem like much, but there is something special about coming into work to a cake and a card. Organize your department – or the whole staff, depending on your workplace situation – to sing ‘happy birthday’ at lunch time, put candles on the cake, pull out all the stops. Make sure that you pass a card around for everyone to sign.  

 

BE ENCOURAGING.

Did your colleague earn a big, new account? Go out of your way to say ‘congratulations.’ As difficult as it can be, try to dispel the thoughts that it should have been you to land that account and that you were passed over. A card is even appropriate and appreciated in this spot.

 

WISH THEM WELL.

If a colleague is moving on to either another job, or to another depart- ment within the company, make sure that person knows that you will miss him or her. Take the route of a card again. Have your co-workers talk about everything they like about that person, and all chip in and purchase a meaningful parting gift.

 

BE THOUGHTFUL.

Bring in a cup of coffee to a co-worker. Offer to help with little things, such as giving up a dollar or two if someone is short for lunch. If you are going out to get lunch, always ask if anyone else would like something — you will square away the money at some point. Think in the mindset of random acts of kindness — even in the workplace. You never know how much a small, thoughtful gesture could make someone’s day and promote overall positivity at work.

 

RECOGNIZE THE DIFFICULT TIMES.

In the event of a death in the family member of a colleague, make certain that you pay your respects. In any type of unfortunate event that could cause a colleague to either need to spend time away from work or grow distracted during the course of the day, offer to pick up the slack before that person even has to ask – it could be very difficult for the person to ask for help.

 

MAKE TIME FOR EACH OTHER.

Whether that means actually taking a full lunch all together, once a month, or taking five minutes in the middle of the day just to “have a chat,” do it. Make it happen. You do not have to spend time telling your deep, dark secrets to each other, but it is important that you chat about topics that take place outside of work — or even inside the office. If you are frustrated, it is okay to vent — it is just not acceptable to inappropriately slander another colleague or to gossip. 

 

 

You have a greater chance of having a good work day in the event that you view your colleagues as employees who are on the same team that you are. You are all working toward a common goal. You all want to be successful. Why not help each other?