Frequently Asked Questions

The best way to succeed at a new job is to be enthusiastic and dedicate your full time and attention to the job during your work hours. Other important behaviors include acting with integrity and honesty, demonstrating loyalty to your employer, going to your supervisor with problems rather than complaining to coworkers, cooperating as a member of the work team, having a positive attitude, and learning to be a problem solver.

Policies are the general rules on which an organization is based. Procedures are the specific steps and rules to be followed when performing work tasks. Both policies and procedures are extremely important in health care workplaces to ensure safety, consistency of patient care, and compliance with the many regulations that must be followed.

If someone is saying or doing something that is sexual in nature and against your wishes, this is considered sexual harassment. The first step is to tell the person directly that you do not like the specific behavior and want it stopped immediately. If the objectionable behavior continues, report it to a supervisor or the person at your facility designated to handle charges of sexual harassment.

Some laws help ensure that all job applicants have an equal opportunity to be hired, meaning that they should be considered on the basis of their ability to perform the job, not on their race, gender, nationality, or other characteristic that is not relevant to the job. These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Other laws protect workers, once hired, against being treated differently or unfairly. For example, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 states that workers who perform equivalent work must receive the same pay. Worker safety is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The welfare of workers is protected by Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits sexual harassment, and the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, which gives employees job protection if they choose to take an unpaid leave to meet certain family needs.

The first thing you must do is reflect on your experience and be very honest with yourself. Was your behavior at fault? Had you received warnings about the need for improvements? Were you having difficulties getting along with your supervisor or coworkers? Facing the truth and working to make improvements can help turn a difficult experience into a learning opportunity. When searching for another job, be sure you are prepared to show a prospective employer what you have done to change.

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