My mom works for a publisher in Maryland. According to her, the job is really easy and doesn’t require much thought. Most of the time, she stuffs magazines into envelopes that go to subscribers around the world.
A few weeks ago, her company announced layoffs. She was sure she would be on that list. In her opinion, her job is not essential.
Much to her surprise, she will be keeping her job although it will go to part time. When she talks about it, she can’t believe she is staying while so many others were let go. After all, what she does “isn’t essential.”
We’ve heard the term ESSENTIAL quite a bit this year. When COVID-19 hit, most companies laid off their non-essential workers. Some career fields were deemed ESSENTIAL, including first responders, hospital personnel, and even liquor store owners. With all of that, how could my mom be also considered ESSENTIAL?
To answer that question, we have to focus on what ESSENTIAL really means. Defined, ESSENTIAL means absolutely necessary and extremely important. I get that some job categories are ESSENTIAL, but every day, first responders, hospital personnel, and yes, probably even some liquor store clerks get fired. The JOB is ESSENTIAL but their performance makes them NON-ESSENTIAL.
So in the case of my mom, while stuffing magazines into envelopes sounds mundane, the fact that she works hard, doesn’t gossip or complain, and always looks for something else to do when her job is done, makes HER ESSENTIAL in the eyes of her company and her boss. And really, who else do you need to impress then?
Which brings us to you.
If you’re wondering what makes a PERSON ESSENTIAL even if their job is not, I have some suggestions
ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES:
- Do their job to the best of their abilities and when the job is done, they find something else important to do for their employer.
- Look for ways each day to improve processes and eliminate inefficiency and waste.
- Take time to grow personally and professionally.
- Look for ways to save money and grow revenue.
- Don’t blame others when something goes wrong.
- Take ownership for their job, department, and organization. They treat it as if they were the CEO.
- Play to the whistle. If the hours are 8am to 5pm, they show up early and work until quitting time.
- Treat others with respect. No gossiping, bitching, or backstabbing.
I’m sure there are others but that’s a good list to start with.
In any bad economy, there will be layoffs. Sometimes even if you follow all those practices above, you might be one of the unlucky ones to be let go. If that worries you, then think about this. If the LA Lakers became bankrupt and the team went out of business, with all coaches and players getting laid off, how long before Lebron James found a job on a new team? Probably the very next day. And it’s not because he played for the Lakers, it’s because he PERFORMED with excellence with the Cavaliers, the Heat, the Cavs again, and then the Lakers.
Are you one of those ESSENTIAL employees? If not, then this week, why not start performing like one?