10 Things Not To Do Or Say In The Workplace
If you want to be a successful employee, you just have to be careful about not making some annoying mistakes, unless you really don’t care about losing the job. Constant tardiness is a point number one in the top of the most intolerable things to do at your workplace. Moreover, there are many other behaviours that are forbidden to do in the office. If you want to be seen as a serious employee, you should stick to the rules of a workplace etiquette and avoid behaviours that can outrage or annoy your co-workers. Before we move on to the number one of this countdown remember that following these guidelines will help you improve your performance at work. These tips will allow you to be a better person on the social and professional front. The No.1 not to do at office is…
1. Gossip
Socrates once said, “Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” By all means, try to be a strong and wise personality. Gossiping is a bad job killing quality, no matter where you are. It is better to avoid chitchats about your co-workers; otherwise you will run the risk of losing authority and job. Don’t forget that you go to your workplace for the one only purpose – to work. You can discuss your colleague’s personal life some other time, if necessary. At work, you are to show your professionalism.
2. Low morale
Problems with low morale in the workplace are more obvious now. Low morale can hurt productivity, decrease cooperation between departments and increase your work errors. You should try to keep your morale on an appropriate level. If you show no enthusiasm for your duties, you will gain the reputation of a downer on the whole department. Your co-workers will lose desire to cooperate with you. Moreover, you should know that the higher authorities usually try to take immediate actions to get rid of bad employees in their companies, because they realize that low morale employees can drain morale faster than anything.
3. Conflicts
People who work together may have differences in opinions and philosophy that usually leads to conflicts. When you face personality clashes you should take some reasonable actions to minimize the frequency of conflicts and the potential damage they can do in the workplace. One of the best and the most effective ways to resolve the conflict is to look for an acceptable compromise. Don’t let you co-workers bully and offend you in no circumstances. You should stay calm and do all possible things to resolve the conflict and maintain privacy at all times. Try to save going to your supervisor at a last resort, but if nothing helps to accomplish the reconciliation, then ask him or her for help.
4. Breaking dress code
Every company requires its personnel to follow the fixed dress code. You are lucky if you are allowed to go to work casually dressed. If not, then you should appear dressed formally, because the rules apply to everyone. You should bear in mind that low-cut, tight fitting and short clothing at work is a bad idea. It can let you down and award you with a negative reputation and poor judgment in the office. It doesn’t matter if your wardrobe is limited, just make sure you always have a neat appearance.
5. “That’s not my responsibility”
While complying with an occasional request from your supervisor to assist with tasks that are not a part of your job description, you can either agree or say, “That’s not my job.” If you want to get a job promotion, you need to do it. If you find this fact extremely unfair, you can refuse to take on someone else’s work load. This way you can say goodbye to your future promotion.
6. Not a team player
If you want to be a successful employee, you should develop the skills to work together with your co-workers and be a valuable part of the team. It will help you build wonderful relationships with workmates and bosses. When you prefer to reduce or avoid communication during the lunch hour with your workmates or don’t bond with them during the free time, you run the risk of not being seen as a team player.
7. “That’s what she said”
Surely, humor and laughter in the office can reduce stress and provide many other benefits. But, for God’s sake, don’t use this annoying joke. Try to keep dirty jokes and some kinds of flirtations out of the office. Sometimes, bad humor can also alienate co-workers and create a more hostile work environment. Don’t be the source of this annoying phrase in your office.
8. Avoid being late
Do not arrive late at office. Always be on time. Record of coming late can lay a bad impression on your superiors and bosses. It is better to arrive five minutes earlier or on time. When you come late, you need more time to settle down and you end up wasting time which can be used to complete important tasks. If you have a genuine reason for coming late, inform the designated person stating the reason of delay. It shows that you are responsible.
9. Do not stay absent without genuine reason
Taking an off from work and giving fake reasons about ill health is highly irresponsible behaviour. As an employee you have official holidays and leaves. Do take advantage of these leaves. Bunking office because you are bored is not sensible as you tend to put a work pressure on your co-workers without any genuine reason. If you have genuine reasons for being absent from office inform your colleague or the Human Resource in charge. Provide all details of pending work and submissions. Make sure you are available on your mobile.
10. Do not bring personal problems to office
It is always wise not to take your work home and avoid bringing your personal issues at the workplace. Do not discuss your worries and tragedies with co-workers during working hours. Avoid talking about husband-wife fights, love problems, financial hurdles and other such topics. It may have a negative impact on work efficiency. Focus on the present and it will provide you some mental space away from your problems.
