7 Things Not To Do At Work

Loads of skills can help you land the job of your dreams, from technical know-how to turning up on time – but just as many bad habits can stop you climbing the career ladder. Don’t let your foibles wreck your chances: here’s what not to do in the workplace. Dishing the dirt If someone’s really winding you up at work, hold fire before off-loading on co-workers. After scoring a temporary Christmas job, Olwen told a colleague exactly what she thought of their demanding boss – only to discover the two were related. As if that wasn’t awkward enough, word got back to the employer: “everyone was kept on the job after Christmas but me,” Olwen adds. Ouch. You don’t have to take a vow of silence, but remember that word always gets around at work. If it’s not something you’re comfortable with everyone knowing, keep it to yourself (and definitely off social media!). Badmouthing customers If you’ve ever been tempted to smack talk a customer, client or colleague, you’ve probably had your comeuppance. And seriously, unless you’re a pro wrestler, it’s not a good look in the workplace. But what if it’s unintentional? Jen was starting out as a substitute teacher when she found one 15/16 year-old pupil kept testing her: “So I said to the other teacher ‘god I have never wanted to punch a kid so much!’” You know what’s coming: the kid in question was standing behind her. “They were too shocked to say anything and no one reported it,” Jen explains, “but I learned my lesson.” There’ll always be times when your mouth gets to the point before your brain kicks in – which is why learning to be discreet (and managing stress) are job-saving skills you need to master! Cruising on autopilot “Got excited in my otherwise boring retail job when I sold a really expensive camera,” Eve says. “Felt smug all morning until the customer phoned to say I’d sent him home with an empty box … he took it pretty well but an apology, a voucher and – obviously – the right camera helped!” If you’re lucky (and act fast to make good on your mistakes), you’ll walk away with a funny story and a bruised ego – but why leave it to chance? Not everyone thrills at repetitive, boring or unchallenging tasks, but if you’re being paid for ‘em stay sharp for your shift, and save zoning out for sofa time. Overdoing work socials Scored a job with a company that takes you out for team socials? Don’t sink your privilege by recreating a Club 18-30 free-for-all. Definitely don’t make a legendary night out of your first day on the job and end up kipping in a corridor*, no matter how much you want to bond with your team – unless you want to be known as “drunk guy who slept on photocopier” rather than Marketing Executive. It goes without saying that being drunk, high or naked during work is rarely anything less than a serious misdemeanour. * It happens. Sending that email Sending slapdash emails is, frankly, far too easy, as Jack B recalls: “I forwarded a business email to a colleague, but added my opinion that the sender was an annoying time waster and we should sever all ties with him. Accidentally cc’d the time waster in … luckily he just laughed it off.” Don’t wait for a blunder to tackle this one:

• Find out the company’s policy on work emails and web use … and stick to it!
• Hit save before you hit send: the extra minute means time to catch typos and bungles before unleashing them on the world.
• Check the address and the CC line, and don’t use Reply All unless absolutely necessary.
• ‘Funny forwards’ and drunken messages: just no.

If you still find yourself on the sticky end of an email mishap, get in touch pronto: apologise, explain and make it clear it’s not your usual style (unless it is, in which case … have a word with yourself). Losing your cool Some folk have a knack for causing tempers to fray whenever they’re around – but be warned: losing your cool can land you in hot water. Kelly dropped the F-bomb on a manager “who was really pushing my buttons at any chance she got. Ended up being sacked”. If you find yourself on the brink of blowing up, invent a reason to leave the room, pause the conversation or hand-over to a colleague. That doesn’t mean you can’t tackle unfairness or bullying at work – just remember there’s a time, a place, and a minimum level of politeness... Sweating the small stuff With all the will in the world, there’s probably a work bungle out there with your name on it. Unless it’s a whopper (fraud, theft, melting a server) you’ll live to fight another day – and that’s the key. Everyone makes mistakes, but making the same ones repeatedly is just plain masochism! Use your blunders to get better at your job and you’ll come out of it stronger, more resilient and, ironically, more employable. Quotes in this article are from current and recent uni students. We’ve changed their names to spare their blushes.

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Guest blog written by Ruth Bushi, an editor at Save the Student. Featuring the kind of straight-talking advice you won’t get at school, the site has everything you need to know about managing money without the migraines: student finance explained, insider info on careers, plus ways to save and scrimp without the stress.