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Top 5 Things You Never Discuss at Work
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Kristina Summers | DivineCaroline
August 28, 2008
SSHHH … I am a very lucky individual, meaning that I am fortunate enough to have one of those jobs that I actually enjoy, even look forward too.
I know how rare that can be for young people so I do not say this lightly. When I was hired I can honestly say I was thrilled and looked forward to a long career with an agency. Since that time, I have had some of my idealism dampened, but I continue to look forward to the everyday, anticipating what I will learn while coming to the realization that this job may not be my final resting point.
I have, however, learned a few things on the job these last seven months that will no doubt continue to help me navigate my way through the world of PR for years to come, whether or not this job becomes a long-term career or not. I share these things with you in the hopes that you will perhaps have a slightly smoother path than the one I took through the world of government public affairs.
There are some things you should never talk about at work. There are just some topics that no matter how well intentioned you may be or how close you think you may be to a co-worker, you will lose in the end, and sometimes it can even mean your job. This isn’t rocket science and by no means new, but some people need the refresher.
1. Religion
This should be a no-brainer for most. There is just too much volatility and too many people who will not think twice about arguing ‘till they are blue in the face to convince you just how wrong you are.
2. Politics
Some people can’t even live in the same household and discuss politics, so it makes sense that this should be off limits at work.
fatimah
10 months ago
88 comments
Great Article! all the things discussed in it are the things we can relate to.
november
11 months ago
4 comments
As a past assistant manager I all ways liked hearing about what issue or malady each employee was dealing with. It all ways made it easy to create a daily schedule, when I knew who not to count on!
nyloe
11 months ago
112 comments
Great article. Another off-limits topic is personal emotional/psychological issues.
kellymccausey
12 months ago
32 comments
Political discussions really put a damper on several professional relationships for me this year :(
Lizie
12 months ago
4 comments
I agree with you 100%! I think we should all just use our common sense...
Bluelily
about 1 year ago
182 comments
Personal Medical Maladies stuck me. I find that to be a personal topic, but when fellow co-workers started to whisper behind me about my business I was shocked. You can be discrete as possible, but people will observe you and make their own conclusions.
JuneSockol
about 1 year ago
118 comments
This is a great article. I had a co-worker who would constantly talk about her many miscarriages. She would keep talking about them especially when I was pregnant and I was so uncomfortable but I had to work with her.
It's one thing if you have made friends at work but in that case, the friend and I would go out to lunch and that's when we would discuss the personal things. It's great to get along with co-workers but it's still a place of business.
KEnglish
about 1 year ago
6 comments
I am suprised what then do people talk about I hope not others or is this purely women behavior just curious so far I could not work among women, after so long I though i can but now I am wonder.
z03r4
about 1 year ago
16 comments
Hi, thanks for the article.
But I think 5 topics above is not a rare thing topic at my workplace. Hehehe.
If there is spare time, they always talk about politic, religious, personal finance, etc...
Tinker
about 1 year ago
2 comments
I agree that such topics are not for the workplace. I mean, who in there right mind , would want others to know their financial woes? If it's personal, keep it personal!
kbtordai
about 1 year ago
708 comments
Wow! We really have not come very far at all, have we? Is this not a free country - hello, has anyone heard of the 1st amendment!! However, I do understand that there are still people in charge/management who, if they did not agree with your point of view or are just plain shallow or old fashioned that it could cost you your job or career. So much for freedom of speech!!
ss192007
about 1 year ago
2 comments
I totally agree becaz such topics can create sometime misunderstanding n conflict bet u n coworkers
ToriV
about 1 year ago
2 comments
Both sides of the coin!
I've been FIRED for being too distant & impersonal with my co-workers
And I became that way because I've been accused of being too OPEN in the past...
What's a good middle ground? How about an article for "Topics with your co-workers" that will not allow you to seem impersonal and closed off!? But not being the girl who has a TMI problem?!
plogan721
about 1 year ago
16 comments
I work in a place where I can discuss any subject, as long as is it not around customers. in the retail world, customers get upset even if your manager want to tell you about a product that just got shipped. I personally stay away from politics, religion, and what I make, simply because that is what my parents taught me, not what the article says.
calamity
about 1 year ago
2 comments
I am fortunate that all of my jobs have allowed everyone to talk and to view their opinions openly. Of course there are things that one may not want to hear from others, in which case you put your headphones on and block them out. You can still hear the phone, still tell when someone is talking to you or coming to your desk. Open discussion is a good thing not a negative. I have had co-workers who are atheist, jehovah witnesses, catholic, baptist etc. We have never had a problem and I hope that all jobs can continue will allow that line of communication to be available. If you are really mature you can handle it.