Workplaces are not independent of human error. The most devastating part of making a mistake in the workplace, however, is the amount of people it effects. Job loss is always at the forefront of everyone’s mind when something goes wrong at a place of business. Although hiding, covering up the mistake, or blaming it on someone else may be some of the first reactions, they are not the right ones.
First and foremost, if you are the cause of a mistake at work, tell someone immediately. Often, damage control can be implemented if the problem is observed early on. The longer it is allowed to fester, the number of affected people will multiply. Once the fallout has reached a certain point, cleanup is more difficult. A little faith in your boss as a human being will help in this situation. Everyone makes mistakes, and most bosses were in lower learning positions at some point. They will most likely be more understanding than you think.
In the event that your boss is a more conflicting personality, coming to him/her as a group with all the individuals involved may help to present a united front. Most companies have minimal employees to save money and cannot afford to release a large number of employees over one mistake.
Have a solution. You probably already know what needs to be done to remedy the problem. Be willing to stay overtime and help to be a part of solving it. Also, presenting the knowledge of the solution before being told what needs to be done shows that you have learned from the experience and will not make the same mistake again.
Prevention is also key in most workplaces. If you are not sure about something, it may be better to ask questions before acting to avoid costly mistakes in the first place. Be open with your boss if you are new at doing something required by your position. Get more information on your expectations and ask how you are expected to handle difficult situations. The hope here is that your boss will appreciate your honesty and willingness to learn. Put in the extra hours to learn what you do not know. The extra effort will pay off if a mistake is made later on, because your boss will know you have good work ethics to begin with.
You must be prepared to deal with the consequences, they won’t last forever. You may have to do some work without pay while taking care of the situation. Your coworkers may express some irritation if they were negatively affected. Your boss may be a little cautious assigning you new responsibilities for a while. There are a number of things in any workplace that may make your work life a little unpleasant. It is only temporary. Your good attitude and effort are your main defense to eradicate this discomfort quickly.
A well timed apology is always appreciated. Your mistake may also affect clients. Make sure everyone that has to deal with the problem understands you are sincerely sorry for the mistake. A humble attitude can go a long way in repairing work and client relationships.
Mistakes happen in every business venture. Admit to the mistake, help to solve the problem, have a good attitude, and apologize. This is not the time to be overly prideful. When you take responsibility for your actions, you show maturity and sincerity. Your boss, fellow employees and clients need to know they can depend on you, even in a difficult situation.
