Am I a bad employee for not greeting my co workers good morning/evening everyday?

[Anonymous]

I just started a job at hospital as an admin assistant and one of my co workers told me she noticed I dont greet my co workers good morning or good evening she said Im still under observation and its make me feel anxious because maybe I will lose my job over that. by the way Im extremely introverted and Im very shy to say that. Sometimes I say goodbye to them when leaving but they dont seem to hear me because my voice is too weak. But Im anxious again that I maybe lose job over that.

[DoggyDude]

So, no your not bad and your coworkers shouldn't be acting like bully's policing your behaviour.

In general though, there is a certain etiquite to morning greetings which is best observed to honour social niceties. The etiqute is as follows:

If someone says good morning to you, say "good morning" right back; At that time your obligation is ended, if they try to persue furthur conversation feel free to shut that down in the politest way possible. Usually people will read very short responses as reasons to stop talking to you then. If they don't excuse yourself and get away from the talker.

If you just see someone you know, a polite smile or nod is more than acceptable.

I personally am not a 'greeter' it does mean a certain set of people feel your snubbing them, and I find aproximately 1/3rd of people I don't say good morning to can take it more personally and feel I'm rude. In the end though the nice people understand and just accomodate.

It doesn't make you a bad employee, but it might make your coworkers nervous (if they are highly friendly sorts, with some insecurities or busy bodies).

All that said, it is a good idea to generate a rapour with the people you work with at least so they feel you like them or respect them as people. To flout the conventions of social greetings is alwasy a danger of making you stand out, and people who stand out often need to have something special about them for people to accept them in their difference.

[Oliverlogan263]

Ah man, don't stress yourself out too much about this! Being shy is totally normal, especially in a new job. I doubt they'd fire you just for being a bit quiet.

A few things to keep in mind - as long as you're friendly when interacting directly with coworkers, being chatty isn't necessarily required. An enthusiastic "good morning!" each day may not come naturally to introverts.

I'd say just make an effort to make eye contact and smile at people when you pass by. Showing you're friendly is the most important part. Maybe try gently waving instead of full on greetings if talking is scary.

Don't overthink it too much either - people will notice your good work ethic way before anything minor like this. Focus on learning your job well and being helpful.

If the coworker brings it up again, be honest you feel shy but want to fit in. Chances are they'll understand and you guys can find a comfortable middle ground. Deep breath - I'm sure it'll work out just fine!

[Asker]

Thanks Oli 😊

[Oliverlogan263]

No problem luv, happy I could help put your mind at ease! I know how anxiety can really blow little things way out of proportion sometimes. But seriously, from everything you described it really doesn't sound like greeting habits would get you in trouble at all. Your coworker probably meant well by mentioning it, but was just making an observation, not a complaint. And it's totally cool that you're more on the shy side - everyone works differently and I'm sure your skills speak for themselves. You got this job for a reason, so just keep being yourself. Try to relax and don't stress, 'kay? Feel free to hit me up if any other worries come up, but otherwise, just keep rockin' it!

[Asker]

Lol yeah Oli sometimes because of anxiety I feel so stupid mentioning things like a while ago my superior informed me that someone has called the telephone saying that "Catbujatin is in Surgery 1st room" I asked her if thats mam is she in surgery room? She said yes I asked it again and she laughed she said I told you.. I meant to say is it a surname of patient or watcher? Instead I said and asked the same question. I felt so stupid. Anyways I called the surgery room and then asked that surname and they say they didn't even call or dont know what Im saying my superior heard it and she said I should go to surgery first room to interview the watcher when I arrived there she wasn't there she left and her roommate who are there said she went outside. So I went back again to office.

[Asker]

Actually sometimes I get annoyed when watcher can't even go directly at office on my desk in front of me for me to give her a paper to fill up her name or info of watcher of patient instead they seem disabled and can't even walk to me to encodr their info even if they can walk they will still ask me to go to their room of patient to interview them. Just venting

[Asker]

They can actually walk they can write too they just too lazy. I can't go out my office because Im scared I will miss the ambulance messages of patients over the telephone.

[Oliverlogan263]

Ah man, don't be so hard on yourself about that mix up with the name. We all have moments where our brains just go blank sometimes, especially when stressed or anxious. Your boss probably just thought it was funny, I doubt she thinks you're stupid.

And yeah I can see how that'd be annoying always having to go track people down instead of them just coming to you quick. Some people can be super lazy for sure. But try not to let it get to you too much, you gotta just focus on your own work and not stress what others are or aren't doing.

Maybe next time just politely be like "hey I'm unable to leave the phone right now, would you mind coming to me real quick?" That way it's not a big deal but gets the point across nicely. Or if it keeps being a problem you could mention it to your boss, like it's slowing you down from important calls. But I wouldn't get too worked up about it, try to stay chill. Just do your best and let the lazy people get in trouble on their own eventually haha.

[Asker]

Truth is my superior is just another worker there that has better position than me. So Im under them. I think she is just regular employee than me Im just job order so I still think she is superior than me even though she doesn't have exact position there like being president. We are both Administrative assistant difference is she is just regular Im not Im just a job order so I still think she's ahead of me. And she is sometimes not polite to say things straight to the point. Always even some patient at hospital she sometimes gets mad at them for not writing their name correctly on paper for her to check it again and rewrite them again.

[Asker]

Like she will say "Omg these people its so easy to just write a name and signed on top of it!" And sometimes some people forgot to fill up the paper she will say "Maam sometimes complete the paper fil it all up Maam" or sometimes when they signed on wrong signature over printed name they put it on nurse signature over printed name over watcher over printed name she will say "Maam sometimes read carefully... " like she's frustrated and kinda irritated when saying that

[Oliverlogan263]

Ahh man, I gotcha now. Yeah that makes sense she'd still technically be above you since she's been there longer, even if you both have similar roles. And it does sound like she acts kinda bossy sometimes too, like she thinks she's hot shit just cause she's been there awhile.

I wouldn't necessarily say she's not "polite" per se, but she could definitely work on being more patient with people. We all have off days and get stressed at work, but taking it out on patients ain't cool. Like damn lady, cut them some slack if they mess up a form - it's not that deep!

I'd try not to take it too personally when she gets bratty with you either. She's probably just an irritable person in general, seems like she likes barking orders and finding things to complain about. Don't let her attitudes bring you down, ya feel me?

As long as you're doing your job well and being nice to people, that's all that really matters. Don't stress trying to please Miss Crankypants over there. You do you, don't change your chill vibes for nobody! Hopefully she chills out a bit too eventually. But either way, don't let her bring your good energy down.

[Asker]

you're right as long as Im doing my job well its all good.

[Oliverlogan263]

Exactly luv, that's the right attitude to have. As long as you know you're pulling your weight and helping people out, don't sweat the small stuff. Your superior sounds like she takes things way too seriously sometimes. Like chill lady, it's not the end of the world if someone puts their name in the wrong spot on a form. Who cares.

Try not to let her bring your vibe down either, no point stressing with her. Just focus on your patients and do what you can to make their day a little easier, ya know? That's way more important than any paperwork nonsense. Keep that positive energy and people will appreciate you for it. Don't turn into another grouch like her just cause the job gets stressful. Stay cool Gorgeous!

[MsProsperity]

You won’t lose your job, you’ll just get haters. I suggest you greet everyone with a smile not necessarily everyday though

[jshm2]

Just raise your hand and make quick eye contact instead, to greet them.