Every time I attend a Society for Human Resources (SHRM) meeting that focuses on labor law and policy updates, I’m reminded of how much drama is involved in running a business. Aside from the regulations regarding pay and time off, there are the requirements for employees with disabilities and protections for those who are discriminated against. I don’t have a problem with those.

I do however have a problem with the amount of time and effort that goes into documenting poor performance. An employer can’t make a personnel move anymore without fear of reprisals. As I listen to labor law experts talk about court cases and awards to terminated employees, I can’t help but think that the entire concept of work has been forgotten. Perhaps it should be called FUN, or CHARITY, or COMMUNITY SERVICE.   I always thought WORK meant, well, WORK!

There are two culprits involved here. First, (and they are the topic of this post), it’s the employees. Second of course are those in management. Good employees are a blessing. Good managers are the best value-add for a company. But let’s talk about the bad.

Bad employees (and I have seen plenty), operate out of a sense of entitlement, working to the bare minimum, and doing as little as they can for the highest salary possible. They beg and plead for perks such as parties, picnics, and gift cards and yet push back at the slightest suggestion that they put in just a little more effort. And lest you think entitlement is a characteristic of Millennials only, let me tell you I’ve seen more Baby Boomers operate this way then young people.

How can an employee become someone worth keeping then? Here are some suggestions.

• Think of yourself as an owner rather than an employee. If you owned the company would you slack off? Would you tolerate others who do?

• Realize that work is a privilege, not a right. A company doesn’t have to hire people but does so to make money. It’s not a social program. You are hired because you purport to have a set of skills and abilities a company needs.

• Keep your work/life balance out of it. Your best bet is to have a work/life separation. When you’re at work, give it 100% of your effort. When at home, give your free time 100% of your effort.

• Do your job and then look for something else to do. Sitting around waiting for the click to hit 5PM is unacceptable.

• Realize that the purpose of having a business is to make money. It’s not to save the world, employ the unemployed, pump up the economy, or build good will in a community. If this bothers you, then start your own company and do what you want. You’ll quickly find out that businesses don’t run on faith and good deeds.

All of us have a responsibility to somebody. If you don’t think you do, then do it for yourself. You have bills to pay and food to buy. Your ticket to success here is a steady job. If you want to keep it, be sure that you’re actually worth keeping around.

And just so you know, responsibility goes both ways. In my next post I’ll let management and business-owners know what their responsibilities are and how they can be a company worth working for or buying from.