The employer/ employee relationship is tricky, and a lot is said and heard every day.
Ryan Kahn, the founder of the Hired Group and a career coach once mentioned honesty as the best policy in conversing with your boss. However, there is also appropriate conversations that you would and would not have at work. I doubt that bragging about a weekends conquest would go done very well with your boss and is not appropriate either. Whenever it comes to the language and words that is important for every employee to be careful while saying something to the boss. There are a “Few things”, as mentioned above that should be held back if you want to keep your career on the right track.
All experts on the workplace mannerism agree to the same point that there are some words, phrases, questions and comments that have more negative impact than others and they can cause serious hindrance in your relationship with any boss. Here are a few tips to avoid such occurrences. 81% of employers surveyed by Careerbuilder.com believe that swearing at work “bring an employee’s professionalism into question”.
The study showed that 64% of employers think less of an employee who swears repeatedly, and 57% said they are less likely to promote someone who is using curse words. A further 71% of employers said that swearing shows a “lack of control,” while 68% says swearing demonstrates a “lack of maturity.” Perhaps most interestingly, says CareerBuilder.com spokesperson Jennifer Grasz, is that 54% of employers said that swearing made their employees appear “less intelligent.”
“It’s all about perception, and cursing does influence how managers view people,” says Grasz. “If it’s a one-time thing, it’s not going to be a big deal, but if cursing becomes a pattern, then it starts to show a lack of intelligence and can show that you’re someone who doesn’t have the ability to handle a tough situation.”
They very first step to avoid such using inappropriate conversation and language is to pause before saying anything. Pause and think if what you are just about to say can cause you to regret it later on and can they be inviting an unpleasant reaction from the boss. If you realise that you are going to make a mistake by saying those words, then step back and find softer and more acceptable words.
Here are few phrases we think that should never say to a boss:
- First of all, never say “I cannot do it” when you are assigned a task. It may give an impression that you lack confidence or willingness to undertake the assigned task.
- Secondly, you should not say “that is not my area” because when it comes to workplace nothing is set in stone and your thoughts and capacities need to be flexible. Moreover, willingness to undertake work beyond your assigned domain can help in career progression.
- Thirdly you should never answer any question by saying “I don’t know”. Rather if you don’t know the answer you can make a decent guess or may inform your boss “I would find an answer as soon as possible”. This will have a positive impression with your boss.
- Fourthly, one should never say “No” to a boss. Every employee at the workplace is expected to be cooperative and polite. Saying “no” to a task directly assigned by your boss can have a devastating effect on your image. In such situations where you need to refuse, you may rephrase your words and choose better words.
- Fifth, when you are asked to complete the given assignment in time, you should never say “I’ll try”. This response will make your boss uncertain and unsure about the task that it will be completed in time or not. Moreover, if you are not certain about any gossip, then you should not convey to him until you have verified the facts.
- You should never ask for “how I will be benefited” from the task. This is against the team spirit which is essentially required in the workplace. Lastly, an employee should never make invalid excuses. A direct “sorry” and a promise of “never to make that mistake” again is better received.
In January 2015 HC online highlighted that definitions of inappropriate language at work could vary depending on context and workplace. In some workplaces, swearing might be commonplace as employees are subjected to stressful situations. In others, workers who use expletives may be frowned upon or even penalised.