Workplace Frights: Survey Reveals Workers Are Most Afraid of Making a Mistake

TORONTO, Oct. 25, 2012 /CNW/ - It's not ghosts or goblins or even public speeches that scare workers the most this Halloween: In an Accountemps survey, nearly three in 10 (29 per cent) respondents said making a mistake on the job is their biggest workplace fear.

The Canadian survey was developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest specialised staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with 277 working adults 18 years of age or older and employed in an office environment.

Workers were asked, "Which one of the following is your greatest workplace fear?" Their responses:

    <<
    Making errors on the job ...................................    29%
    Dealing with difficult customers or clients ................    17%
    Speaking in front of a group of people .....................    16%
    Conflicts with coworkers ...................................    14%
    Conflicts with your manager ................................    12%
    Other/don't know/no answer .................................    12%
                                                                    ---
                                                                   100%
    >>

"A fear of failure is natural and can be a good motivator in healthy doses, but workers can't let their concerns lessen their confidence," said Gena Griffin, Canadian district president of Accountemps. "In order to grow in their careers, professionals must be willing to tackle challenges head on and move beyond their comfort zones. Even smart risks that don't pan out can help individuals discover new ideas and better ways of doing things."

Like successful trick-or-treating, navigating frightening workplace situations requires forethought and the right approach. Accountemps offers five tips:

    <<
    1. Plan your route. A 20-page to-do list would scare anyone and is a
       recipe for mistakes on the job. To ease workload-related worries --
       and be more efficient -- prioritise your responsibilities, and
       delegate when possible.
    2. Ask for directions. When facing a challenging project or new
       responsibilities, make sure you know what is expected of you. If you
       have concerns, let your manager know, and work with him or her to
       develop a strategy for overcoming them.
    3. Bring a friend. Don't be afraid to tap a mentor for advice on a
       particularly devilish challenge. When preparing a critical project or
       communication, ask a confidant for his or her feedback.
    4. Say "thanks." Whether it's for candy or help with a difficult task, a
       sincere thank-you can go a long way toward building strong business
       relationships.
    5. Give out treats. Volunteer to assist overburdened colleagues, and be
       quick with praise for those who deliver outstanding work. You'll make
       people -- including yourself -- feel good and foster an environment
       where colleagues help each other on a regular basis.
    >>

About Accountemps

Accountemps has more than 350 offices worldwide and offers online job search services at www.accountemps.com. Follow Accountemps for workplace news at twitter.com/accountemps, and gain insights into the latest accounting and finance hiring and salary trends at www.accountemps.com/salarycentre.

Accountemps has produced a series of videos highlighting Bob from Accountemps, the fast, efficient, go-to accounting professional. Find out why Bob is so popular with his clients and coworkers alike: www.accountemps.com/whoisbob.

SOURCE: Accountemps

Nadia Santoli, [phone], [email protected]