Most people who have studied to be an accountant, teacher, or medical assistant expect to begin their careers in a job where they can apply their degrees. However, when they start their career, they quickly realize that while the work is similar, the job itself is completely different.

Starting a new job can be an exciting yet daunting experience, especially for those entering the working world for the first time. Understanding what to expect is not only crucial for navigating your role effectively but also for protecting yourself against discrimination and mistreatment in the workplace.

As a new employee, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with company policies, your rights, and what constitutes discrimination. Being informed empowers you to recognize and address any unjust treatment you may encounter. If you find yourself facing discrimination or mistreatment, seeking legal help through a firm like Hones Law (honeslaw.com) or something similar can be a viable option to uphold your rights and ensure a fair and respectful work environment for all.

By being proactive and knowledgeable, you can navigate your professional journey with confidence and resilience.

In the working world, being a new employee means you are going to be expected to perform a number of jobs. You will likely be expected to:

  • Complete projects and tasks assigned to you. As a new employee, it’s important to complete projects and tasks assigned to you. Remember, you can’t slack off and expect to retain your employment. You may have been given a big project to complete, but make sure you complete it on time. Also, whenever you are given a new project or task to complete, make sure you fully understand what is required.
  • Provide good customer service. This is what you can expect if you become a working professional. Well, maybe not exactly. But, in general, you can expect it to be an exciting, challenging, and rewarding experience. When you step onto the playing field of the working world, the first order of business for many companies is to train you. This training plan varies widely, but it will generally involve learning the nuts and bolts of the business. This may include procedures, policies, and legal requirements.
  • Be on time. When interviewing for a job, it is important to be punctual. The interviewer will want to see that you are reliable. If your schedule is tight, try to arrive a half-hour early. That way, you will have time to get some work done, use the restroom, and get settled in. The interviewer will also be judging how you interact with others, so be friendly with other employees. If you are late, you may need to reschedule, and it may be hard to justify why it happened.
  • Be respectful. Show up on time and dress appropriately. In today’s competitive job market, landing an interview is usually a good start, but getting the job requires just as much, if not more preparation. As a new employee, your first day on the job can be stressful and nerve-racking, but by following a few simple guidelines, you’ll feel more prepared and confident when starting your work.
  • Be a team player. The workplace is filled with various types of personalities. Some individuals are too set in their ways, others are too distracted and can’t be bothered with details within their fields, and others are too shy to speak up. As a new employee, it’s important that you get along with your coworkers and teach them how to work with you as a team.
  • Be a good worker. Yes, that is really all there is to it. Be a good worker, and things will fall into place. Be a good worker, and every day is a great day. Be a good worker, and you will never have a bad day.
  • Be a good employee. Whether you’re a rapidly-growing startup or an established company with hundreds of employees, it’s important to know how to set the right tone from day one. Being a good employee starts in the office, not when you leave for school, college, or the workforce. Whether in an entry-level position or a leadership role, your behavior sets the tone for everyone who works around you. And, yes, that includes your direct reports.

Legalities to Keep in Mind

As you join a new organization, there are some key legal issues you should be aware of. Make sure you understand the policies, procedures, and regulations that apply to your role. Key things to review include:

  • Employment Agreement – Carefully review your employment contract or offer letter to understand compensation, benefits, expectations, and other binding agreements between you and the employer. This agreement is extremely important, and if you were to find that your employers are violating what is mentioned in the agreement, you are well within your rights to work with a legal association in Los Angeles (if that’s where you are based) to fight for your rights and seek appropriate remedies. It’s essential to ensure that both parties adhere to the terms outlined in the employment contract or offer letter to maintain a fair and mutually beneficial working relationship.
  • Workplace Policies – Get familiar with policies around issues like harassment, discrimination, dress code, technology use, and professional conduct. Following these ensures a respectful workplace.
  • Job Classification – Understand whether you are an exempt or non-exempt employee, meaning whether overtime pay provisions apply to you or not. This impacts compensation and work hour rules.
  • Intellectual Property – Many employment agreements establish that creative work done on company time belongs to the employer as intellectual property. In case of theft or breach of contract, they can suit up with a skilled intellectual property lawyer to sue you for damages and seek legal recourse to protect their rights and interests. Therefore, it can be helpful to understand any IP ownership provisions.
  • Termination Processes – While not what you expect starting out, understand under what conditions the company can terminate your employment, any severance policies, final pay rules, etc. If you feel at any point your employment agreement has been violated or you have been wrongly terminated, consult a wrongful dismissal lawyer calgary or nearby to understand your rights and options for the next steps. It’s essential to be proactive in protecting your rights and seeking professional advice if you find yourself in such a situation.

The most important thing that any new employee should know is that no one knows everything. Most employers want their new employees to come to work every day and figure things out on their own. However, it’s usually with good intentions when they offer helpful pointers. The key is to take advantage of opportunities and learn as much as possible as quickly as possible. View your co-workers and managers as resources you can tap into when needed.