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"It's a social environment as well as a work environment. However, you must
remember while you can be friendly and develop a good rapport, business is
business and friendship is friendship."
Most workers don't realize that what they say has as much impact on their
professional images as what they wear, Lopeke says. People who say too much,
about themselves or others, can be seen as incompetent, unproductive and
unworthy of professional development.
To avoid your next case of verbal diarrhea, here are 13 things to never
share or discuss with your co-workers.
*1. Salary information*What you earn is between you and Human Resources, Solovic says. Disclosure
indicates you aren't capable of keeping a confidence.
*2. Medical history*"Nobody really cares about your aches and pains, your latest operation, your
infertility woes or the contents of your medicine cabinet," Lopeke says. To
your employer, your constant medical issues make you seem like an expensive,
high-risk employee.
*3. Gossip*Whomever you're gossiping with will undoubtedly tell others what you said,
Solovic says. Plus, if a co-worker is gossiping with you, most likely he or
she will gossip about you.
*4. Work complaints*Constant complaints about your workload, stress levels or the company will
quickly make you the kind of person who never gets invited to lunch, Solovic
warns. If you don't agree with company policies and procedures, address it
through official channels or move on.
*5. Cost of purchases*The spirit of keeping up with the Joneses is alive and well in the
workplace, Lopeke says, but you don't want others speculating on the
lifestyle you're living –or if you're living beyond your salary bracket.
*6. Intimate details*Don't share intimate (personal/private) details about your personal life. Co-workers can and
will use the information against you, Solovic says.
*7. Politics or religion*"People have strong, passionate views on both topics," Solovic says. You may
alienate a co-worker or be viewed negatively in a way that could impact your
career. If you and your co-workers belong to same religion then it is always nice
to have fruitful discussions. In case you have different regligion, speak for the positive
side of religion only. Never say lose sentences which may harm the image.
*8. Lifestyle changes*Breakups, divorces and baby-making plans should be shared only if there is a
need to know, Lopeke says. Otherwise, others will speak for your
capabilities, desires and limitations on availability, whether there is any
truth to their assumptions or not.
*9. Blogs or social networking profile*What you say in a social networking community or in your personal blog may
be even more damaging than what you say in person, Solovic warns. "Comments
online can be seen by multiple eyes. An outburst of anger when you are
having a bad day … can blow up in your face."
*10. Negative views of colleagues*If you don't agree with a co-worker's lifestyle, wardrobe or professional
abilities, confront that person privately or keep it to yourself, Lopeke
says. The workplace is not the venue for controversy.
*11. Hangovers and wild weekends*It's perfectly fine to have fun during the weekend, but don't talk about
your wild adventures on Monday, Solovic advises. That information can make
you look unprofessional and unreliable.
*12. Personal problems and relationships – in and out of the office*"Failed marriages and volatile romances spell instability to an employer,"
Lopeke says. Office romances lead to gossip and broken hearts, so it's best
to steer clear. "The safest way to play is to follow the rule, 'Never get
your honey where you get your money.'"
*13. Off-color or racially charged comments*You can assume your co-worker wouldn't be offended or would think something
is funny, but you might be wrong, Solovic says. Never take that risk.
Furthermore, even if you know for certain your colleague wouldn't mind your
comment, don't talk about it at work. Others can easily overhear.
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