7 things you shouldn’t share with colleagues at work

They say happiness loves silence. In fact, in some situations it’s better to keep your mouth shut. True, it is not always clear what is worth talking about and what is not. We share which business etiquette topics are best not to discuss with colleagues to avoid increasing paranoia.

To manage

You must either speak well of your boss or not speak at all. Direct flattery is off-putting, and criticism (even constructive) is also annoying. You should not contact your employer or co-workers if you are concerned about any issue. Tell your boss directly what you’re unhappy with. Maybe together you will find the perfect solution and improve the quality of your workflow.

Salary and career plans

Discussing salary according to business etiquette is bad manners. The reality is that a colleague in a similar position may suddenly discover that he or she earns less than you but is actually making more. The feeling of injustice will lead to an unpleasant conversation with your superiors. Then management will have to make a difficult decision, for example, to fire one of the employees. Also, you should not share your career goals with anyone. If you took a job to gain experience and build a portfolio, only you should make sure of this, and not any of your other colleagues. After all, your place may be particularly attractive to someone.

Negativity from previous studies

“A subordinate should look ostentatious and stupid in front of his superiors, so as not to embarrass his superiors with his understanding.” This legendary saying attributed to Peter I has not lost its relevance. Every manager can make mistakes, so there must be reliable people in his team who will not reveal company secrets. If you have a broom tongue, try not to talk about your past work at all, especially if you have disagreements with your boss. Even if your new boss is quite competent, he or she may reflect negative remarks onto himself. Don’t suddenly create trouble.

personal life

Personal life is personal, so it is not recommended to discuss it with colleagues. Especially if it concerns a wedding, pregnancy or divorce. All these events are quite real, but your boss may think that these dramatic turns of fate will hit his budget. Even if everything is fine with you, it is better to talk about it sparingly, so as not to arouse the envy of less fortunate colleagues.

Health

In no case should you complain about poor health. Of course, your boss needs to know whether you’ll be taking sick leave or deciding to work from home. But it is better not to let anyone go into details. It’s okay to talk about how you live a healthy lifestyle and exercise, but having scars may cause embarrassment to your colleagues.

Politics and religion

Who will you vote for? Are you a believer? Why do you think God exists? To avoid conflict, colleagues should not be asked such questions. After all, everyone’s beliefs are different. Some people are very sensitive about politics and religion. There is a possibility that your words will be taken seriously and your colleague will hold a grudge. Inconsistencies in these matters will affect the study. You don’t need this, do you?

personal hobbies

Every person has hobbies outside of work. True, some hobbies may make your bosses and colleagues think you have a second job. The fact that an employee can leave at any time causes concern, even if his speculations seem unfounded to you. Additionally, activities such as skydiving or diving may cause the envy of your colleagues who do not have as busy a life as you. Therefore, list the information you share. If you have energetic people on your team who can afford financially expensive hobbies like horseback riding, feel free to share. Questionable hobbies such as hunting can alienate colleagues and partners, so you should not share “trophies”. In addition, any life-threatening activity is not very popular with employers due to the potential to involve employers in the cost of health insurance or sick leave, for example.