7 Toxic Things You Should Never Say To Your Boss
Or, 7 reasons why you should start searching for another job.
I get it. Work is tough. Work is exhausting. Work can even be grueling. Work is well… work.
If you happen to be one of the lucky ones who truly loves your job and can’t wait to start the day, kudos to you. I’m jealous.
However, an informal survey taken over my 20 years of working says you’re in the minority. If you, like me, feel otherwise about your job, it may not be something you pop out of bed for in the morning.
Despite the lackluster feelings you might have for your job, try to keep your opinions contained. If you feel the need to vent (I know I do), try talking to your significant other, friends, former co-workers, or even a therapist. You can feel secure knowing they have your best interests at heart. In a nutshell, you can trust these folks.
As you’re figuring out whom you can turn to for support, here are seven things you should never ever – under any circumstances – say to your boss.
#1 – I don’t like my job
Honesty is great, but not at work when it comes to how you feel about your job. You’re hired and paid to do a job, not b*tch about it.
Plus, by opening up and saying you don’t like your job, you’re not only telling your boss you don’t want to work there anymore, but you’re also spreading your negativity to the rest of the team. This isn’t something your boss will embrace since it’ll probably have an impact on productivity.
Keep it to yourself.
#2 – That isn’t in my job description
Job descriptions are fluid. They change and grow over time. If your boss is asking you to work on something that is related to your job, you should jump on this opportunity to do something new. It’s a chance to learn a fresh skill and grow professionally, which is good. You’re also stretching your comfort zone.
If, however, you’re working in the marketing department and your boss asks you to clean the toilets because the cleaning crew didn’t show up that day, that’s another story.
#3 – I don’t know
This one is very common. I’ve even said it myself. When saying, “I don’t know,” you should ALWAYS follow it up with a next step, such as, “but I’ll research and come back with a recommendation.”
Never, ever, ever let this one dangle alone. These days every position requires problem-solving skills. “I don’t know” just doesn’t cut it anymore. Part of the adventure of the job is to research, learn new things, and seek out solutions. Most times you can get a good sense of something by just popping it into Google.
No one knows everything and bosses understand that. Bosses also know one of the differences between an average employee and a great employee is how he or she follows up this statement.
#4 – I don’t have time
Are you working on too many projects? Too many emails cluttering up your inbox? I get it. I’ve been there. If you’re overwhelmed, skip the “I don’t have time” comments.
Instead, the best way to handle this one is to ask your boss for help in reprioritizing your workload. No one can fault you for wanting to get clarity on important projects and make better use of your time.
#5 – That’s not my fault
Whether you work alone or in a department, it’s safest to always assume the entire company is your team. Saying something wasn’t your fault or pointing fingers at others will only make the situation worse.
If a project wasn’t successful, it’s better to say that you and the team are researching exactly what happened so that it doesn’t happen again and so you can plan better for next time.
Not everything works out perfectly all the time and most bosses recognize that.
#6 – [Insert co-worker’s name here] is driving me crazy
Leave the drama for your soap opera. And try not to get sucked into anyone else’s while you’re at work. If someone is bothering you, focus on the task at hand. If that person is sitting across from you, go into a conference room to cool down for a bit.
No one, especially your boss, wants to hear about so and so chewing too loud or sighing all the time. You might have idiosyncrasies that drive someone else up the wall. Yeah, don’t feel bad, we all do.
#7 – I need to get to my other job
If you happen to have to work multiple jobs, nothing says you’re not important to me than putting more emphasis on your other job. These are details you should have discussed when you were first hired.
If your boss from your first job assigns you a task as you’re leaving at your designated time to make it to your second job, make sure to let your boss know that the project is important and that you’ll jump on it first thing tomorrow when you’re back in.
Your boss already knows you have a second job and should understand your time constraints. Even if you’re leaving for your next gig, there’s no reason why you can’t acknowledge the importance of the task.
In conclusion, if you can’t keep a lid on your emotions at work and you still feel the need to say these things to your boss, you might be well advised to start searching for another job.
Want more? If you found this article helpful and are in need of additional guidance, grab a copy of my book, “How To Be Happy At Work: Speak Up, Stay Positive, and Change Your Life.”
What’s something you said at work that you should have kept to yourself? If you’re the boss, what did someone say to you that they shouldn’t have? I’d love to hear them! Tell me in the comments section below.