There is a growing misconception in today’s workforce that accountability is flexible. It isn’t.
Showing up, doing the job you were hired to do, and communicating when you can’t – are baseline expectations. They are not negotiable terms. Yet across industries, employers are increasingly navigating a workforce where these fundamentals are treated as optional. Accountability used to be understood. Today, employers are increasingly confronted with employees who view attendance, communication, and responsibility as optional. I am here to remind everyone. It’s not.
These behaviors don’t just affect mangers- they disrupt teams, increase workloads, and erode trust across an entire workforce. In staffing, we see the ripple effects daily. Accountability isn’t about punishment. It’s about respect – for coworkers, employers, and the job itself.
Recently, a potential applicant in their early 20’s told me a large employer was “too strict” because they were terminated in an “at will state” after 5 consecutive No Call No Shows.
When “Understanding” Turns Into Tolerance of Poor Behavior
Flexibility and empathy have their place – but they are not substitutes for responsibility.
A job comes with basic expectations:
- Show up when scheduled
- Complete assigned work
- Communicate when issues arise
- Respect coworkers’ time and effort
When these expectations are repeatedly ignored, the issue is no longer support or training. It’s a choice.
Allowing poor behavior to continue sends a clear message to the rest of the team: accountability is optional.
This Isn’t About Perfection – It’s About Responsibility
No one expects employees to be perfect. Life Happens. Mistakes Happen. But responsibility mean:
- Communicating proactively
- Taking ownership of assigned work
- Accepting consequences when expectations aren’t met
Accountability isn’t harsh – it’s fair. And fairness matter to the employees who do the right thing every day.
How Strong Employers Set and Enforce Expectations
- Clearly define expectations upfront with an employee signature
- Apply standards consistently
- Address issues early – not after months of tolerance
- Protect high performers by holding everyone accountable
This helps create and maintain a functional workplace. When expectations are clear and enforced, teams perform better, morale improves, and trust is restored.