By: J. Mason
Online Learning Tips Staff
Think of your company as a tree with many limbs and branches. Each department has its own limb, with several branches extending off of it. Every branch has its own set of tasks and specific skill sets. This is a great way for ensuring each “job” gets completed, but here’s the problem…what if you an employee with highly specialized tasks that only they know of? Now what? Well, job swapping and cross training are 2 methods of managing and training that create a back up “in case you get hit by a bus”.
“Job swapping is when two employees in different departments “swap†or exchange jobs for a defined period of time.” Typically, the employees have similar knowledge and skill sets that allow each to cover the other while on the job swap and eventually go back to their original positions. This can happen when one of the employees is on vacation, or you want to give the other worker a “trial” in another position to see how they would do.
“Cross-training is a process that uses training and development opportunities to ensure employees have the skills necessary to perform various job functions within an organization.” This is also “in case you get hit by a bus” managing technique. It also allows other employees to enhance their skill set, in turn making them more invaluable to the company.
[Stay Employed By Cutting Out Drama.]
If your manager has talked to you lately about learning some of the daily tasks of your cube mate, humor them and get interested. It could be a great opportunity for you to learn something new, and who knows it could be your chance at possible advancement down the road.
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