Things You Shouldn't Say at the Office

If you want to get AHEAD at work, there are phrases you need to leave OUT of your professional vocabulary. Here they are, courtesy of Real Simple magazine and Suzanne Bates, author of Speak Like a CEO.

Don’t say, “That’s not my job.” If your boss asks you to do something, it IS your job. Instead, try saying “Should that should be my priority right now? Because I have a lot on my plate.” Then have a conversation with your boss about your responsibilities, and what they consider to be the most important.

Don’t say, “This might sound stupid, but…” You should never undermine your ideas by prefacing them with this kind of wishy-washy language. Instead, say what’s on your mind. This reinforces your credibility, because it shows that you’re able to present your ideas with confidence.

When you’re on the job, never say, “I don’t have time to talk to you.” RUDE! Instead, ask the person, “Can I come by – or call you back – after I’ve finished this?” Then quickly and graciously explain why now isn’t a good time, and suggest a better one. Let your phone calls go to voicemail until you can give callers your undivided attention.

...and since we are on the subject of what not to say, here are some tips about things that should never be written in an email:

*Gossiping about your colleagues: including your boss, co-workers and clientele. You should never write about appearances or personality clashes.

*Forcing your political or religious views onto others. This has been known to cause many conflicts in the workforce. This could offend many people because of political or religious differences, and possibly discriminations.

*Sending jokes or stories about racial or sexual issues. This could offend many people due to the sensitivity related to those issues. Your reputation could be damaged as well.

*Soliciting money for personal emergencies. Although, many workplace do help employees in time of need, you should never be the one to send an email. Another colleague should take that action on your behalf.

*Forwarding confidential information to employees outside your department, former employees, or competitive employees. That could be grounds for dismissal. By leaking confidentiality, you are hurting the company's image and reputation.

These are some of the basic things that you should never say or do in an email. Just because you don't see the email in front of you, doesn't mean it doesn't exist anymore. The next time you email, just treat it as another tool for professionalism.