If others cannot depend on you, particularly in the workplace but also in life, that is a trait to work and fixing ASAP. Having a good work ethic trumps so many other flaws.

In my history employing others one of the most common problems people have had that either self terminated, were fired or had to be reprimanded (written up) revolved in some way or another around their dependability. Could we count on the person to show up on time, be willing to give more when other employees were undependable and let the business down? Or was the person habitually showing up tardy or calling in sick.

I realize everybody gets sick once in awhile but when someone is calling out sick 30-40% of the time, you know something is amiss. If it’s a legitimate health issue that’s an exception, so let’s focus on “sick” without doctor’s orders to stay out from work. How about someone calling in sick that you see out and about in town? I remember this one employee that was so clueless he called in sick for his shift and then showed up at the end of the shift to go party with his other friends at work. Argh.

People not showing up for work or late really sucks. It can force others to stay later or the business to be short staffed which could generate inferior customer service and ultimate increase the liklihood of dissatisfaction and complaints. No business that wants to stay one wants the number of complaints to increase.

If only all parents taught their children the importance of dependability
If there is anything I can teach our children about work, I hope it is to be dependable. Be on time every — or the vast majority of — times. Be reliable. Be the one that is willing to come in when others are saying no. Be the one to skip something perhaps more fun to answer the call at work. That doesn’t mean never turn down your boss, but pick and choose those times very carefully. Make sure whatever else you are doing is more important than helping the people putting the food on the table.

And yes there are times things in life are more important than work, so please don’t anybody think I’m saying to be a slave to the job and boss. That every call from the boss should be the butt kissing yes. Not saying that at all.

From experience I’ve learned that dependability is a highly desirable work trait and it’s something no matter how skilled one is or isn’t everybody has the ability to offer their employer. It’s amazing how many forget this and are undependable in the work force. If you want more from your job, ask yourself honestly how dependable an employee you’ve been?

Don’t think if you are self-employed like me that we get a free pass on dependability. If anything the self-employed have to be even more dependable and driven. If you are undependable in your business then the business suffers and that means reduced profits. It is also hard demanding employees be dependable if the boss is the opposite. The fish stinks at the head.

I can tell you from past oportunities, advancement and raises from a management perspective that it is very difficult to pass over an employee that is dependable. It’s equally difficult to pass over somebody qualified that does a good job when they are there, but has dependability problems. I remember having to make a choice between two employees one time for a promotion and I chose the one who was less skilled but more dependable. A big part of job performance includes dependability.

It isn’t how good you are if you aren’t there most, if not all, of the time. I’m going to share this post with our teenagers who will be entering the work world (outside helping out in our offline business here and there) and hopefully it resonates.

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