Think Before You Speak: Essential Workplace Sharing Boundaries

9 things to avoid

1. Sharing your salary

• This fuels office gossip and lead to colleagues comparing their salaries, potentially creating an uncomfortable environment maybe for you or others.

• Discovering pay disparities can breed jealousy and resentment among colleagues, especially if they don't understand the factors contributing to the differences.

• Employees might perceive pay as unfair if they find out colleagues with similar roles earn more.

• Negative feelings arising from salary comparisons can significantly lower overall workplace morale.

• Salary discussions can lead to awkward or strained relationships between colleagues if handled poorly.

• Some employers have policies against discussing salaries, potentially leading to repercussions.

• If employees are unhappy about their pay compared to others, their motivation and productivity might decrease.

• Some individuals value their financial privacy and may feel uncomfortable with colleagues knowing their salary details.

2. Revealing that you live close to the office

• You might become the go-to person for tasks that need immediate attention or for staying late because it's assumed you have an easier commute.

• Your boss might expect you to come in during off-hours or on short notice for emergencies due to your proximity.

• Your colleagues might be less considerate of your personal time, assuming you're readily available since you live nearby.

3. Discussing your plans to switch jobs

• Your boss might exclude you from consideration for future promotions or advancements since you're planning to leave.

• You might be excluded from important projects as the team might not want to invest in someone who is planning to depart.

• If your intentions become known, the company might expedite your departure, even if you weren't planning to leave immediately.

• Your employer might lose trust in your commitment and loyalty to the company.

4. Complaining about the boss

• Your complaints can easily spread through the office, potentially reaching your boss and might be reflected in your performance evaluations.

• Being known as someone who constantly complains can negatively impact your professional reputation among colleagues and superiors.

• While some colleagues might initially sympathize, constant negativity can strain relationships over time.

5. Sharing your side hustles or hobbies

• Your boss and colleagues might perceive your side hustle as a distraction from your primary job, questioning your dedication.

• Some companies have strict policies against employees having external jobs or businesses, which could lead to disciplinary action.

• Your side hustle might be seen as a potential conflict of interest, especially if it's in a related field.

• Your work performance might be more closely scrutinized if it's known you have other commitments.

6. Sharing details about your dating life

• Your romantic choices might be judged by your superiors and peers. You might feel depressed or demotivated.

• Over-sharing personal details can contribute to an unprofessional work environment.

7. Sharing your work shortcuts

• Someone else might use your shortcut and take credit for the efficiency or result.

• Your boss might assume that because you've found a shortcut, you can handle more work.

• Your clever method might become the new standard operating procedure without you receiving any recognition for developing it.

8. Discussing personal struggles

• Your personal struggles can become fodder for office gossip and speculation.

• Colleagues and boss might question your ability to handle work-related stress if they know about your personal difficulties.

• Colleagues might feel uncomfortable of how to interact with you after you've shared personal struggles.

• In some cases, sharing vulnerabilities might make you susceptible to being taken advantage of by colleagues.

• It can blur the lines between your professional and personal life, which can be problematic in a work environment.

9. Sharing negative thoughts about colleagues

• Your negative comments could get back to the colleague you're talking about or to others who might use the information against you.

• Sharing negative thoughts inevitably damages your relationship with the colleague if they find out.

• You might gain a reputation for being critical or gossipy, which can harm your overall professional image.

Prevention is better than cure

Prioritize prevention over reaction. While reversing workplace oversharing is difficult, building mindful habits can prevent these issues from arising. These practices not only enhance your professional life but also contribute to overall personal growth.

1. Speak less, focus on Doing: Let your actions speak louder than unnecessary words at work. Since talks are never ending so gently steer conversations back to professional topics when they stray.

2. Structure Your Day: Establish a routine with designated slots for tasks and goals (e.g., upon arrival, before/after lunch, before leaving). Initially, writing these down can help solidify the habit. This fosters predictability and respect for your time among colleagues.

3. Prioritize Well-being: Maintaining fitness encourages a positive mindset and engagement in productive activities, naturally reducing involvement in idle chatter.

4. Cultivate Knowledge: Engage in reading related to your work or personal interests. Increased knowledge and mental engagement lessen the inclination towards irrelevant discussions.

5. Seek Productivity: If you find yourself with downtime, proactively seek tasks from seniors and colleagues to stay occupied.