Squelch Opportunism in the Workplace

You cannot stand it. It is bothering you to see your employees or your fellow workers become opportunists, or people who seek to take advantage of opportunities or circumstances with little regard to principle or consequences. You can foil them. You will learn how to deal with opportunists at work.

First Way to do it as Boss: You can discourage it from the beginning. For example, you can warn new hires not to step on anyone's toes to get ahead.

Second Way to do it as Boss: You can encourage everyone to determine right from wrong before they do this type of behavior. A good way to do this is to establish an ethics policy that includes language condemning it.

Third Way to do it as Boss: Another option you have is to formally forbid this conduct. You can do this by including language warning against it in the company policy handbook.

Fourth Way to do it as Boss: It is essential to not allow them to see value in this. One way you can do it is to not reward them with a raise, promotion or praise.

Fifth Way to do it as Boss: If someone knowingly commits a violation, you must take disciplinary action. Barring an offense that is very serious, the first measure you should resort to is a reprimand.

Sixth Way to do it as Boss: You have the option of taking things a little further. If a reprimand did not work the first time, you should write the offender up. The third offense should result in an unpaid suspension and the fourth should lead to a termination.

First Way to do it as Co-worker: The first thing you should do is talk to them as a peer. You should let them know you disapprove of their actions.

Second Way to do it as Co-worker: If talking with them does not get them to stop, you should start being one less person who supports them. You can do this by distancing yourself from them.

Third Way to do it as Co-worker: You must use good sense in revealing their actions. If someone continues to do something wrong or he does something very serious once, you should tell a supervisor.

Fourth Way to do it as Co-worker: You should do some introspection. Take a look at yourself to see if you are guilty of doing something unethical to get ahead and stop it if you are.

Follow these steps to deal with opportunists at work!