General Forums >> Ask A Career Woman >> Worst things you can say at work
Worst things you can say at work
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Posted 3 months ago I read an article recently about things that will not score you any points on the job site. Here are a few:
"Most savvy supervisors don't think longevity merits a raise -- only high productivity does," Lampton states. Asking for a raise because of how long it's been since your last one will only tell your boss that you want more money, not that you deserve it. Instead, highlight the accomplishments you've made in the last four years, Lampton suggests. Prove the raise is merited. "It's not my fault." When your boss comes to you with a problem, the last thing you want to do is to deflect blame to someone else. Maybe it isn't your fault, but remember that you're not in a courtroom and nobody's really looking for the culprit right now. All that matters is making sure the problem is solved and doesn't happen again. You can deal with the real issue later, but you'll just make yourself look worse if you spend more time finger-pointing than problem solving.
If somebody comes to you with an issue, there's probably a reason. It might be your responsibility or they might just value your input. Either way, use the situation to prove you're a team player and a problem solver. Plus, it pays to earn some good office karma because you never know when you'll need help from other colleagues. What are some others that can get you either fired or kick you out of the promotion line? |
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| Posted 3 months ago The one that gets a lot of flack, rightly so is "That's not my job". Nothing annoys a boss more than having someone who will not rise above the call of duty. Many times, the sentiment is correct - with jobs being so high pressure, no one has the time or inclination to take on someone else's work. But there is a better way of saying it. If it's a pressure moment, just shut up and do the job. You can take up with your manager later how you need to have a better resourcing plan if the situation arises again in the future. After all, they don't want you derailed from all the important work that IS your job. |
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| Posted 3 months ago I think I read the same article on CNN.com. Make sure you don't talk about your "crazy" weekend or how "trashed" you got the night before. |
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| Posted 3 months ago "Now where did that super secret financial statement walk off to?" |
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| Posted 3 months ago I have noticed, in SF and in smaller, start uppy companies, most people are ok with some heavy drinking. |
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| Posted 3 months ago "You're too old." Age is a touchy subject for a lot of people. |
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| Posted 3 months ago Don't talk loudly about who you think is hot. |
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| Posted 3 months ago In addition to being inappropriate and irrelevant, comments about age and sexuality (so and so is hot) can also be fodder for a law suit. And sexual harassment lawsuits AGAINST women have been filed, so be careful. |
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| Posted 3 months ago distantwizard said: I'm sure in some companies it is alright, but I would feel embarrassed to talk about that in the work place and I certainly don't want to hear about coworkers talking about it. Nor do I want to hear about their sex life or lack thereof. I had a boss once that used to tell me all about her different partners and about how she went out and got trashed the night before or hadn't even been to sleep yet. I had and still have a very low opinion of her. I understand nobody is perfect but please keep the personal details like that out of the workplace! I'm here to do my job! |
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| Posted 3 months ago I work with a woman who tells everyone her financial troubles. Then when co-workers get concerned she gets upset. I think it makes people judge how she does her work since she can not control her finances. |
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| Posted 2 months ago Kaamna said: I do know a man who sued a women for sexual harrassment and won. The funniest part: he is half black and half japanese....and this female coworker provocatively asked him, "which part of you is black and which is japanese?" I shouldn't laugh but thats hilarious. |
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| Posted 2 months ago I have a couple of co-workers who have been asked to step up their productivity and have flat out told our supervisor that they would not be able to contribute more than they were originally asked to do. I'm pretty sure next time there's an opportunity for promotion that she will not consider them. |
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| Posted 2 months ago It's probably not a good idea to talk about other companies you'd rather work for. :__) |
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| Posted about 1 month ago My job description at my catering job requires you to do all duties that arise, so no question about whos job it is. There are people though that dont even follow that rule so it is hard sometimes to work as a team. |
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| Posted about 1 month ago No office/workplace romance. Oh yeah and no getting involved with clients. I have to really watch my behavior and body language, as a massage therapist I really don't want to give off the wrong impression. |
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| Posted 27 days ago I think the worst things to say have already been mentioned - "That's not my job," or "It's not my fault." - but I think it's important to note why they're such awful things to say at work. The first shows a lack of motivation and an unwillingness to give whatever it takes to get the job done - an essential part of moving forward in your career. While it's never a good idea to overload yourself, I've seen way too many people say this too quickly, without considering how it reflects on the work they do that IS in their "job description." The second statement makes you seem weak-willed, particularly in a team situation - which is usually when I've heard people say this kind of thing. In any case, chances are if it's not your fault, people already know it's not, so you don't have to say it. |
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| Posted 25 days ago I've noticed another line that bothers bosses: Talking trash about your last job. I am an administrative assistant, and most employers look to me to be loyal, trustworthy and close-mouthed. If I start talking about "at my last job, my boss did this..." and it has a negative connotation towards that last boss, my current boss starts to wonder what I'm saying about him behind his back. The only time I have anything to say about my last job, or former jobs is when it is positive and might help out with decision making or a perplexing problem that we see no solution for. |
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| Posted 25 days ago I've read a book recently from a pastor who talked about complaining. He challenged everyone to wear a purple bracelet (or other method of reminder) if and when the individual did complain- you move it to the other wrist and start over. The challenge was to go 21 days without moving that bracelet. Try going 3 hours. He included testimonies from supervisor/employees alike, and the improvements that entailed. It goes along with the philosophy--if you think it wil happen, if you say it will happen, then it will. if you spend all day complaining about the promotion your NOT getting, well don't expect to get it. Instead, see what a dramatic change trying to talk postitively can have on your work performance, productivity, atmosphere, relationships, and overal enjoyment in your job. I challenge all of you to see the best in your day and focus on it. Besides, complaining about a deadline isn't going to make it go away. |
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| Posted 25 days ago One probem that I hve in particular is people talking about hidden health concerns as sicknesses. I'm diabetic so I hear this a lot when I'm having some difficulty keeping my sugar levels from fluxuating from one level to another. I've found that if I refer to my diabetes as a hidden handicap most people will back off ad let me do my job. I'm more than willing to help these individuals learn that diabetics are people with feelings, too, and that we are fully capable of doing our jobs so there should be no problem with this. If anything, I'm more concerned with how my health issue will affect my performance. |
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| Posted 21 days ago Where is the workers comp form, I hurt my back. |
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| Posted 2 days ago "I can't stand my boss." |