Workplace etiquette: The don’ts

Let’s face it: There are certain actions and behaviors you just shouldn’t bring with you into a professional workplace. Doing so can have major negative impacts on your career. But for many individuals, proper workplace etiquette does not come as intuitively as you might think. Below are some of the biggest don’ts of office life. 

Don’t “Reply All” to an email chain

Understand the differences—and repercussions—between hitting “Reply” and “Reply All” when responding to an email. Carefully consider whether or not all of the parties who received the initial email need to be included in your reply. Additionally, by “replying all,” you may find yourself embarrassed as your entire organization reads details that were only meant to be shared with one or two others. 

When in doubt, always do your part to keep emails and other correspondences friendly and professional. As a general rule, treat your emails as a professional form of communication, and make sure that the information you share is appropriate for the time, place, and people involved.

Don’t have personal conversations at your desk 

If you must have a private or personal phone conversation when you’re at work, try not to have the conversation at your desk where others can hear you. Many workplaces have conference rooms that you can use for phone calls; otherwise, it might be a good idea to step outside.

Having a personal conversation at your desk can be distracting to the coworkers near you, and may open you up to gossip about being someone who “can’t leave their personal life at home”—which isn’t good for your professional image.

Don’t bring your emotions into the office

It’s best to leave your personal emotions at the door when you get to work. Your desk neighbor doesn’t want to hear your sob story from over the weekend. If you truly can’t focus on your work because something has happened, it’s probably a better idea to take some personal time to process your emotions. Or, if something in the workplace is bothering you, reach out to the human resources department or your supervisor to resolve the issue so it doesn’t interfere with your work.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Asking questions—no matter how silly they may seem—will help you clarify expectations and avoid erroneously completing an entire project only to realize you did it all wrong. There’s little worse than overconfidence—especially if it isn’t actually backed up by experience or skill. 

So go ahead and ask your questions, and be sure to truly listen to the answer.

Don’t gossip about fellow coworkers…or your boss. 

Gossiping is one of the cardinal sins of office work: Just don’t do it. Whether you’re tempted to gossip about your boss, co-worker, or the company as a whole, you’re not hurting anyone but yourself when you do. 

Gossiping can portray you as someone who can’t be trusted or someone who isn’t a team player, which won’t help you reach your professional goals. It can also be duly harmful if it gets back to the target of the gossip.

Don’t forget that at work socials, you’re still at work 

Company outings can be a great chance to socialize with your coworkers and get to know them outside of their 9 to 5 personas. But it’s important not to forget that, while you should be yourself, you’re still among office mates who you’ll be working side-by-side with tomorrow. Be especially careful not to overdo it if alcohol is being served. Everyone will know why you “called in sick” the next day.

Don’t be nervous, but also don’t overstep your boundaries

In the workplace, you’ll often find yourself walking a fine line in how you present yourself. You want to be respectful, but you don’t want to come across as being stuffy; you want to appear confident, but you don’t want to overstep your bounds; you want to express your opinions, but you need to keep them G-rated.

Learning the balance will take trial and error on your part, but it’s an important balance to learn.

Northeastern