Not wanting to look bad at work

Anyone have this fear of accidentally looking bad at work? I tend to worry about this a lot. I am constantly conscious of what I am doing so I don't look bad. I work at a high school and since I am a guy, I make sure I am never alone with a student. If I ever am alone with a student, I keep the door open so no one gets any wrong ideas. Most of my coworkers are females and they have a little more freeway. From the time I started subbing in schools ranging from Kindergarten to 12th grade, I saw several female paraprofessionals and teachers do things that weren't bad, but could easily be taken the wrong way. I know if I did some of the things I saw, I would definitely be fired or at least get into some kind of trouble.

Some things I've seen were a female teacher playfully teasing a few 2nd grade students and grabbed one from behind and playfully shook him around playfully. If I had done that, I would have been fired, no doubt. And I honestly think even some females should be more careful too but males have to be extra cautious. More recently, I saw a coworker help a severely autistic student help her bend over by standing behind her and bend her over using some body contact to do so. Again, I know what she was doing. There was no ill intent, but I just get this feeling that it would have looked bad had I been the one doing that.

Are there any instances, especially in a school or church setting, that you're afraid of looking bad? What things are you afraid to do that other people seem to have no trouble doing? There are several more examples. Like I mentioned before, I know there was no ill intent by these actions. The teacher I mentioned was being a little too playful in my opinion but otherwise there was no ill intent. And the coworker was just helping a student out but due to the way she did it, I could still see how having physical contact with students can make employees look bad. For me, I restrict contact to just simply hand shakes or the occasional high five. Nothing more than that.

I still carry out my job duties. I wouldn't totally neglect my duties but at the same time, I am very careful of what I do to avoid looking bad and getting in trouble. I also don't get too friendly with the students. Some people seem to get overly friendly with them, almost being too nice. I am reluctant to do so because I don't want to make it look weird. Not only just because I am a guy, but I am also very young looking. I am 27 but I look like I could easily be like a senior in high school or just starting college. Last thing I need is someone, especially a person who doesn't even know me, to assume I am trying to make friends with another student. Anyone have this fear of getting in trouble at work due to doing something that made them look bad even though they meant nothing by it? Just wondered.

Just keep it professional...Like you are and try not to think of it as you don't want to look bad...but as..you want to look professional.

I don't think this is a bad thing that you are cautious in this area...I do think you are overthinking it...it seems you have it down and don't have to think of it all the time.

You know not to act inappropriately with students.
You are the role model.
You are doing all the right things...and as long as you are adhering to the rules set forth in your institution you will never "look bad".

Contrary..you will look "good"...take some pressure off yourself....remember...you have trained for your position you are capable and trustworthy or they wouldn't have hired you...don't worry so much about what others are doing..unless it is totally inappropriate and then pull them aside and TELL them so....

Otherwise..you sound like a young kid..just getting used to the business world. Your not there to make friends..your there to do your job...and if possible set an example for the "kids" and others.

I agree with Missy2. Keep doing what you are doing and think about it as being professional. Limiting physical contact is a good idea.

I will say that the kids, especially the younger teens notice when teachers become more friendly with some kids over others. They notice it and it bothers them. I've been in conversations with my daughter and her friends when they were younger about how much it bothered them that certain teachers ignored all of them, but were always buddy buddy with certain classmates. It creates bad feelings between kids and between students and teachers.

Do your best to treat all your students consistently and fairly, remain professional, and I think you will be fine.

Definately. I don't want to do things with co workers outside of work (or in work) for similar reasons. And frankly I wish I could avoid them coming near me at all. Today a friend came into my office and wanted me to look at a bone spurr type of thing on her shoulder. TO do so she took down her spaghetti strap on her arm... I literally was standing like 10 feet away and she kept being like "what is it... "

Just what I need for someone to walk in while she has her spaghetti strap down...

But you are absolutely right to be this way. My parents taught me well. I have always been on guard when it comes to that.

Don't ever let people sucker you into being friendly. That is just a good way to end up used and abused. Keep it professional and have a rolodex of excuses why you can't go to events outside of work.

emilyfox...lol.."have a rolodex of excuses why you can't go to events outside of work!"