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Nine: Norm Pressures

Select the items that apply to you and your workplace. If none are applicable just press the submit button.

All work environments have unwritten rules as to what is expected and how to behave. One reason they are a source of stress is that they are unwritten. Often you only find out about the rule when others react to your breaking it. Norms about dress at work are very common. You can discern these by observation. But there are also norms about the way you talk and which jokes to tell. To reduce this source of stress consider these:

Seek a mentor. Find someone who will tell you the rules. Don't wait. Ask.
Some norms will interfere with your work performance. Bring these rules to your boss. Discuss them.
If you violate the norms you risk being seen as an outsider. Decide for yourself if violating the norms is worth the risk.