Real-Life Communication
The receptionist is a company's first communication source.
They direct incoming clients, calls, mail and e-mail in many cases. As a result,
the receptionist knows much about the company they work for. And some of this
information is confidential.
Excellent communication skills are essential
for a successful receptionist. Therefore one of the most important attributes
of a receptionist is something corporations call professional ethics.
Professional
ethics are a set of rules all employees must live by at work -- especially
those staff members who are trusted to deal with clients daily. The office
receptionist must always be aware of professional ethics. They must know when
these ethics apply.
When the laws of professional ethics are broken,
it is sometimes due to a conflict of interest. And the results can be devastating.
Many people who have found themselves in a conflict of interest at work have
been punished or fired.
How do you know if you are in a conflict of
interest situation? Ask yourself this question. At work, am I acting as a
professional on behalf of my employer or am I acting out of private or personal
interest? As a receptionist, if you make a work-related decision based on
personal reasons, you are likely in conflict of interest.
You are the
receptionist for a large corporation. A co-worker has recently been fired
from the company. He is a friend of yours and you feel sorry for him. And
today he has called you for some information.
"I know you're busy,
but I was wondering if you could do me a little favor," he says.
"I
just need my old boss's home phone number. I know you have the phone
list. He asked me to call him there. Hey, maybe you can talk to my old boss
for me. I would really appreciate it. Just let him know that we're friends
and you know what a good worker I am.
"Tell him to rehire me. I'll
take you out for dinner if you do it. Oh, and I'm running out of pens
here at home. Can you get some out of the supply cabinet for me? I'll
pick them up when we go out."
What do you say to him?