Top 4 Things You Should Never Do or Share at Work

We’ve all experienced it – the co-worker who just doesn’t know when enough is enough. We see them coming and cringe because we know that it’s going to be another long drawn out, sometimes uncomfortable, convo that we just don’t have time for. Not that we don’t appreciate some downtime, but do we really need to hear about your uncle’s colonoscopy, in full. color. detail.? Ugh!

But, what if that person that everyone avoids is you? Did you know that 22% of employees know someone who has been fired for wasting time at the office or disrupting other employees (SHRM). Here’s a list of the top 4 things you should never do or share at work:

• Talking about inappropriate things.
  Unless you are talking to family or a very close friend and seeking genuine advice on how to deal with a situation, steer clear of politics, religion, medical, salary/wage and sultry love-life (or lack thereof) conversations. Many people are uncomfortable sharing their personal views and certainly don’t want to with an audience at the water cooler.
• Gossiping.
  I saw a great meme the other day that hit the nail right on the head: “If you don’t hear it with your own ears or see it with your own eyes, don’t invent it with your small mind and share it with your big mouth”. ‘Nuff said. Just don’t go there. Not only does gossip hurt people, it can hurt your career fast. It’s a form of harassment and could get your fired for cause, quick.
• Saying or writing anything in anger.
  Simple rule here – if you wouldn’t put it on a billboard in the downtown core, don’t put it on paper, in an email or spill it out of your mouth. I know, I get it… we all have those days at work when things don’t go as planned and we just want to scream – often at those working right next to us. Poor things! However, your rage issues can start to become a label that you wear and people don’t want to be around someone who is always angry and negative. It sounds cliché, but if you can’t say something nice, don’t say it at all. Before you hit send on that email, sit on it for 24 hours and then re-read. Being more careful on how not to express your anger at work will leave you feeling much happier and less stressed. At the end of the day, you’ll be a lot more approachable to your coworkers. Avoid burning bridges and breathe and think before you speak.
• Breaking your commitments.
  Whether it’s getting to work on time like everyone else or making sure you follow through on promises, your co-workers will be much less resentful when you stick to your commitments. Maybe you just need to change your morning habits and wake up 10 minutes earlier; maybe you need to start making lists of what you have on your plate. Whatever you need to do, to show that you are as committed to your job as the rest of your fellow employees, just get it done. No one likes that person who always seems to be the exception to the rule over and over again. And as for bosses? They definitely don’t like it at all

I could go on forever with things I’ve experienced in the working world for the last 20 odd years, but overall, I think you get the idea. We’ve all had people at work that have made us feel uncomfortable from time to time. Consider these simple tips and don’t be one of them.

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