| Written by Veronica Rolfes, on 20-05-2007 22:40 |
Top 10 Things Not to do at Work
Often times, our “Miss Thang” attitude can turn us into “Miss Unemployed” well before the stroke of midnight. So leave your two snaps and a twist at the door and check out these workplace no-nos.
When it comes to your job, it takes more than just meeting a quota to
move up in the company. It takes panache, assertiveness, and even a bit
of couth. Often times our “Miss Thang” attitude can turn us into “Miss
Unemployed” well before the stroke of midnight. Just as you try to have
some class in your personal life, it is equally important to have some
class in your career. So to all you self-proclaimed *bad word here*,
leave your two snaps and a twist at the door and check out these
workplace no-no’s.
Here are 10 things you do NOT want to do at work:
#10 DATE CO-WORKERS
So that hunk down the row has caught your eye, or there is some fresh
meat filling out an application. As hard it might seem, ease up on the
hunt. Dating someone you work with comes with a lot of hardships. If
you work in a large company where you rarely see the object of your
affection, or if you work in two separate departments, it can sometimes
work. However, if you are desk buddies or work in departments very
close to one another, you might want to avoid it. Office romance can
blossom into one of those beautiful, rare flowers that bud once every
10 years, or it can blow up in your face—and often those who work
around you. You can end up so heartbroken you quit a job you really
like, or ruin the other person’s career in the process.
#9 USE COMPANY E-MAIL FOR PERSONAL USE
This one is sometimes hard to follow through with. I think it’s fair to
say about 99.9 percent of us have been guilty of using our work e-mail
for personal use. Not only are you wasting company time and resources,
but you are putting yourself at serious risk of violating company
policies. It’s easy to laugh when you hear an embarrassing story of how
some wife sent a racy e-mail to her husband, only to have sent it to
her boss. It’s not so easy to laugh when it’s you that sent it.
Being realistic here, we aren’t going to completely stop forwarding on
those funny messages, or e-mailing our friends about weekend plans.
However, the steamy letters or the 2007 calendar of half-naked studs
should be nixed. Businesses have elaborate systems that can flag
anything with inappropriate language, keywords like "resume," to
addresses that aren’t recognized as secure users. It’s better to save
your butt than get fired for forwarding the picture of one.
#8 LEAVE WHILE ON THE CLOCK
Sometimes 30 minutes is just not enough to get lunch, and that sandwich
joint is just around the corner. It seems so easy to slip out the back
and return unnoticed in 5 minutes, right? Think again, 007. You might
get by once, maybe twice, but making a habit of it is sure to land you
in hot water. The thing to remember here is you are on company time and
off company grounds. What might turn into a 5-minute drive can turn
into an air-care trip to the ER. You’ll also have a lot of explaining
to do too if your boss is looking for you, or if there is a family
emergency and someone is trying to locate your whereabouts.
#7 USE OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE
“Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?” Cursing, vulgar or
discriminating langue might be accepted amongst your peers, but the gal
in the next row doesn’t think it’s so funny. Odds are, the co-workers
you see every day and hang out with are used to your mouth and share
the same views and philosophies that you do. However, that person who
overheard you can report you in a second, faster than you can finish
your rant as colorful as the rainbow. Bite your tongue and take the
conversation elsewhere. And remember; don’t use that company e-mail to
express your thoughts to your friend down the hall!
#6 TALK POLITICS
It’s a wonderful fact that we live in a country where we are free to
vote. Whether you are left wing, right wing or somewhere in the middle,
it’s best just to keep your views to yourself while at work. It’s great
to be patriotic, and free speech is one of rights, but the passion you
share for your political party or issue can start an all out office
war.
#5 COMPARE PAY
Human Resources can keep a lid on disclosing individual pay rates, but
can’t keep employees from talking amongst themselves. I’m telling you,
nothing good comes from sharing your hourly or salary rate with your
co-workers. Having your diploma mounted on the wall proves you have put
in some long hours at college, but who’s to say the guy that’s been
there for 10 years hasn’t worked just as hard to move up the ranks?
Even if your company has a flat starting rate that every Joe Schmoe
makes who walks through door, don’t discuss it. When we talk about how
much we bring home a week, factors like insurances, child support,
taxes and other benefits aren’t usually brought up in that comparison.
After all, not many people brag about paying backed support or having
their wages garnished.
#4 TALK ABOUT OTHER EMPLOYEES
The rumor mill never seems to close. What we hoped would stop after
high school graduation actually doesn’t. It is pretty sad how much
grown adults relish in a good gossip session, especially us women. The
thing with gossip in the workplace is that something false puts
someone’s entire livelihood at stake. I have seen it first hand—someone
thinks that girl is sleeping with a married supervisor; it starts as a
rumor, someone else contacts the man’s wife and the next thing you know
girl’s reputation is ruined and the man is losing his family. All from
one very wrong suspicion. Moral of the story, leave the trash talk to
Jerry Springer.
#3 HAVE THE “I DON’T CARE” ATTITUDE
Raise your hand if you have ever said, “I don’t care, they can kiss my
butt!” (or another choice word). If you really believe that, and
honestly don’t care, it shows. Your “whatever” attitude might also be
portrayed as aggressive behavior. Often times those negative thoughts
are portrayed in your appearance and your work. Changes in attitude and
work are noted by supervisors, and can even become an issue during your
performance review. If you are having some personal issues that affect
your attitude at work, don’t be afraid to discuss it with your
supervisor or human resources — they can assist you in finding help.
#2 PUSH THE ENVELOPE
Programs such as the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Worker’s
Compensation, or short/long term disability were created to help those
who really need it. However, there are always those that abuse it. The
thing to remember is that abuse of these programs are usually
violations of a business’s Code of Ethics, and can also result in
trouble with the law. All it takes is one anonymous tip to a hotline
from a fed up co-worker who caught you red-handed and you can face some
serious allegations. Avoid abuse of company benefits and government
programs. Sick days, bereavement, tardiness — those fit this package as
well. Keep in mind, nothing in life is free — you will pay for it
somehow.
#1 TAKE YOUR JOB FOR GRANTED
Be thankful you are working. Outsourcing is a real thing and many
states are considered "at will." Just because a business fires you, it
does not mean you are entitled to unemployment. A business can argue
that you weren’t a good worker and you can end up with no financial aid
from the state. So hold your tongue when you get the urge to say,
"Well, fire me then!"
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