In the beginning, you’ll size up your employers and fellow-employees. Remember, they are sizing you up, too, evaluating how you tackle your assignments and fit into the work routine. In all areas of society, we meet people with whom we feel an instant bond. Indeed, many folks we meet on the road become lifelong friends and confidantes. Nonetheless, be friendly, but cautious, in forging immediate fast friendships on the Workamping scene. Workamping jobs are generally temporary, seasonal, or even in a volunteer role. Yet, the same good manners, tact, and professionalism that apply to traditional jobs make for a successful experience.
Since 1991, full-time RVers Henk and Georgia Parson have made a career of volunteerism. In their 80th and 79th years, respectively, they are beginning their seventh season at Yosemite National Park. Their reputations for organizational and computer skills exhibited in 12,500 hours each of volunteering with the National Park Service (NPS), and another 8,000 hours completed with the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, precede them in new volunteer assignments.
Upon their arrival at Yosemite, the staff hustled to build them a full hookup site, leaving other Workampers speculating about their VIP status. When Henk and Georgia stepped from their coach wearing jackets with NPS logos, some whispered, “Who are they?”
“Our Yosemite connection started at Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, where we met a contributor to the NPS,” Henk says. “Upon her observations of our work, she recommended us for the volunteer job at Yosemite. Otherwise, we would not be here because Yosemite has limited room for long-term RV volunteers except for camp hosting.”
Doubts of fellow Workampers melted like spring snow when Henk and Georgia tackled their jobs at the Visitor Center with gusto, and even volunteered for evening bear patrol and monitoring the Merced River water level during heavy rain storms (at night). Yosemite’s staff soon tapped them for a niche in appraising handicap accessibility in the park. During the winter season, the NPS offers the Parsons an apartment in nearby El Portal, and they continue their work for Yosemite. With their dedication and skills, they earned their VIP status with both fellow Workampers and NPS staff.
Paul and Stephanie Bernhagen were full time engineers and part time custom home builders in Colorado before they hit the road. They applied their professional business skills to jobs at Disney World, Adventureland, and on builds for Habitat for Humanity.
“Because there were so many new people at both Disney and Adventureland, we never experienced that ‘New Kid on the Block’ syndrome,” Stephanie says. “Nevertheless, I applied things I’d learned in the corporate world. First, I listened and observed. I believe in asking the supervisor and co-workers how things have been done in the past. Others do not mind your asking why things are done a certain way if they sense you’re trying to learn, and not out to make changes.”
Stephanie recalls that she once followed a supervisor’s orders in her traditional job, only to be hurt in the end. “Use good sense,” she adds. “If the supervisor does not practice good judgment, then an employee has to decide how important the job is—and what options he or she has for working out the challenges.”
Fred and Linda Lanoue recount a different experience. “We’ve had fellow workers resent that we put 100 percent into our jobs,” Linda says. “We frequently do cultural and historical research on our own to help us interpret the area. Some workers hint that we’re trying to make them look bad—or to ‘get in good’ with the bosses.”
“There will always be people in any situation who want to be ‘top dog,’” Stephanie says. “Trust is a two-way street and earned on both sides.”
However, trust does not necessarily mean divulging personal business. A successful worker joins in the camaraderie of the workplace, becomes a team player, and commits to solving problems. When conversation turns to race, religion, politics, marital problems, another’s personal appearance, or finances, one can change the subject without appearing unfriendly. Be wary of gossip about other workers, employers, or clients. If a co-worker talks about someone else to you, be assured, he or she is talking about you to someone else. Conversations are crucial to building relationships, but one does not have to listen or participate in personal or controversial subjects.
Most Workamping jobs are in a service role. Some workplaces are akin to a family setting among workers and employers, making casual and informal exchanges easy, even with clients. A worker can remain helpful and friendly without becoming familiar. Being sincerely interested in a customer’s or co-worker’s life is different from prying. Remember your professionalism when confidences are given.
Workplace humor is also a sensitive point. When telling a joke—or laughing at another’s—one does not know who might be offended. While a sense of humor and a positive attitude are important, be careful about teasing or repeating jokes to fellow workers.
RVing, in general, and Workamping, in particular, brings together people from diverse backgrounds, economic standings, educational levels, and ranks of talents and skills. Getting along at work is often, as Henk Parson says, a matter of flexibility, and that includes tolerance of other folks’ individual differences.
Yet, as in all situations, there may be offenses, miscommunications, or confrontations. When you face these situations with a co-worker, first go to your employee handbook for guidance. If there is none for your particular workplace, go to the worker with whom you have a problem. Calmly and sincerely address what you can do to resolve the conflict. Talk to the offending person directly and privately, and never behind his or her back. A planned and controlled response, rather than an emotional reaction, leads to fewer issues. Go to a supervisor or an employer with your problem, only if you cannot work out the difference with the fellow worker.
Always take your Workamping duties seriously. Do your best to complete your tasks and fulfill your contract. However, take yourself less seriously. Remember the reasons you added Workamping to your RVing lifestyle—new experiences, places, and friends. And most of all, keep your sense of adventure.