1. EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES SECTION
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
DIVISION OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES
Staff Development
*******************
Professionalism
Developed For:
Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Education and Training Services Section
Curriculum Developer: Denise Wells
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2. PROFESSIONALISM: Objectives
MODULE 1
At the end of this session, you will be able to:
• Distinguish appropriate attire & grooming.
• Recognize and identify desirable personal qualities
required in an office.
• List habits for conducting business while maintaining
customer privacy.
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3. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 1: Appearance
The first step in
showing professionalism Business Business Casual
is appearance. We only
have one opportunity to
make a good first
impression.
Most offices require
either business or casual
attire.
It is important to ALWAYS
adhere to agency policy
regarding attire. Source: Microsoft Clip Art Gallery
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4. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 1: Appearance
Keep in mind that if you
work in an office, the Business Business Casual
following items are NEVER
appropriate for work:
• Tank or halter tops
• Midriffs
• Muscle shirts
• Items with profane or
obscene wording.
Click on each item to your right to learn
About acceptable options for both male and
Female business and casual styles. Source: Microsoft Clip Art Gallery
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5. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 2: Personal Qualities
There are three personal qualities needed in
any office setting:
• Attitude
• Knowledge
• Willingness to Help
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6. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 2: Personal Qualities
Attitude
Bottom line, if you desire positive results you
must give positive input.
Negative input will ensure negative results and
negative feedback from others.
Remember that someone with a negative
attitude affects the whole team. Likewise,
someone with a positive attitude can help to
eventually remove negative behaviors.
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7. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 2: Personal Qualities
Attitude
A bad attitude, is, without reservation, the
most detracting of all interpersonal traits!
- Earl Nightingale
Take a moment to complete this brief exercise
to determine whether you are a positive or
negative person.
Launch Positive or Negative Attitude Exercise
Source: Developed 2008 for Mind Tools Ltd.
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8. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 2: Personal Qualities
Knowledge
Knowledgeable staff create a winning situation for all
involved because they ensure the following:
• Faster service times
• Efficient handling of cases
• Accurate solutions
• Timely processing and reviews
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9. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 2: Personal Qualities
Willingness to Help
Employees who show a consistent willingness to
help others are seen as more:
• Trustworthy
• Worthy of promotion
• Committed to the team
• Dedicated to enhancing the team performance
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10. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 3: Privacy
Because of the nature of the work we do, we
are often responsible for handling a client’s
personal information.
It is vital for both the client and agency that
maximum efforts are used to safeguard all
personal information received.
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11. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 3: Privacy
Key Areas Related to Privacy for the Client:
• Social Security Information
• Sensitive Documents
• Data Entry Screens
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12. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 3: Privacy
Social Security Information
When handling client Social Security information, it is
most important that special care be taken to keep
this information confidential and out of sight.
Identity theft is a huge concern and our staff have to
take due diligence to protect clients from
infringement.
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13. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 3: Privacy
Sensitive Documents
Protect clients from identity theft and other
violations by shredding sensitive documents they
have submitted such as receipts, bills, credit card
information, etc.
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14. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 3: Privacy
Data Entry Screens
Be mindful of other clients gaining access to
information you are entering into a computer. Be
sure to activate a screen saver if you must step away
from your terminal for any reason.
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15. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 3: Privacy
Key Areas Related to Personal Privacy:
• Personal Calls
• Email & Computer Monitoring
• Secure Web sites
• Passwords
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16. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 3: Privacy
Personal Calls
Keep in mind that there is very little privacy at work.
The best way to ensure private telephone calls at
work is by using your personal cellular phone. (Keep
personal calls to a minimum, though).
Assume that calls made using agency phone lines are
being monitored.
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17. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 3: Privacy
Email & Computer Monitoring
Employers have complete access to all emails and
computers files. Think of them as a permanent
paper trail.
Some employers even use computer software that
allows them to track internet usage and emails, view
files stored on terminals or hard disks and even show
what you are currently working on. Always assume
your work is being monitored.
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18. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 3: Privacy
Secure Web sites
There are things you can do to protect yourself and t
he agency when going online.
Have the Information Technology (IT) department
install malware protection on your system.
Also, visit secure sites. You will know that a site is
secure if you see https:// in the address bar rather
than simply http:// when you are web surfing.
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19. PROFESSIONALISM
Lesson 3: Privacy
Passwords
When creating a password, choose a long, but
memorable one. Make sure it is easy for your to
remember but difficult for someone else to guess.
Remember that no one will ever contact you to ask
for your password or pin numbers. Should you
receive any such requests, always ignore them.
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20. PROFESSIONALISM: END
This is the end of the module.
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