Workplaces have a lot going on every single day, and it’s really important to know how to navigate that. As a professional, you may find it a little difficult to be able to sort out details and to make sure that you’ve got what you need to be your best in your career.
That being said, knowing what it is that you need to do and what you want to avoid can be the most challenging part of dealing with other people at your workplace. Here are some of the things that you may want to consider avoiding in the workplace.
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1. Don’t Have Personal Conversations in Your Workspace
One of the biggest things that you need to avoid is having personal conversations in your physical workspace. Too many people end up in difficult situations because they decided to divulge a lot of private information from their desk or cubicle. Even though you may feel like you’re separated from everyone, most of the office can still hear you.
Leave personal conversations for after work hours, or for private spaces. That way, you don’t end up in a situation where your personal business gets passed around in the weekly gossip, or you say something you regret that could put a relationship or, at worst, your job in jeopardy.
2. Avoid Racism, Sexism, and Other Discrimination
Just because you don’t feel like you work in a racist workplace doesn’t mean that discrimination doesn’t happen. Workplace racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination are incredibly common, and sometimes go right down to the systems and organization that is used at your place of business.
Obviously, this is something that you want to be sure that you adhere to in your day to day life. But, in the workplace, you want to do everything possible to break down those systems and make sure that you’re not contributing to them. Be sure that you stand up for co-workers and use your privilege in the workplace, rather than just letting snide comments and discriminatory practices just occur.
3. Don’t Forget About Email Etiquette
Email etiquette is one of the most difficult things for professionals to sort out, especially if they’re just getting into the workplace for the first time. Rules like don’t use emojis or exclamation points can be hard to get used to, especially if you’re used to texting and messaging instead of email.
On top of that, be careful about when you use the “reply all” button. Sometimes, it’s necessary – sometimes, it’s just going to annoy everyone else on the chain. It’s typically better to err on the side of caution and to just reply to the sender unless otherwise stated in the email.
4. Avoid Gossiping About Co-Workers and Supervisors
Gossip can be a really big problem in workplaces, and it can be hard to avoid the temptation of talking about the people you work with. The problem is, not only is gossiping rude, but it can also be harmful to your reputation, which may make it more difficult for you to move up in the company or to get references if you leave the company.
If you are frustrated with someone you work with, or you want to share info, find someone outside of your workplace to vent to, like your spouse. That way, you are much less likely to have it interfere with your professional relationships.
5. Don’t Take Work Home When Possible
Setting boundaries can be hard, especially when you’re trying to ensure that you can move forward and up in your career. But, you want to do everything possible to ensure that you’re not taking work home for whatever reason. Home is your safe space and your refuge from the day to day, and taking home work can defeat that purpose.
Even if that means you have to stay late every once in awhile so that you can catch up, you want to take care of yourself and not take work home. It creates unhealthy patterns and may create unhealthy expectations from your co-workers and higher ups, as well.
Obviously, every workplace is different, and you need to be sure that you know how to set boundaries and take care of things as they arise. But, if you avoid the things that we’ve talked about in this blog, you’re going to find it much simpler to actually determine what may be best for you and your situation. Navigate carefully and, in the end, you’ll have a much more peaceful and fruitful existence at your workplace.