Is it ok to share everything with your boss?
Like E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.
Is this the real essence of trust and transparency in the workplace?
Or do we need to create boundaries?
And if we are to set boundaries, what are those?
Here are the things you should never say to your boss. As they always say, there are some things better left unsaid.
1. Nitty-Gritty of Your Current Health Condition
Don’t get us wrong. Of course, your boss cares about your optimal health — physically, emotionally and mentally. If there are serious health conditions that you need to share, they’re all ears and your honesty will be much appreciated.
But if you are not feeling well, say for example because of your period or a hangover, having a blow-by-blow account is not necessary. 🙂
We believe and trust you, and we don’t need to know the full story because we also value your privacy.
There’s no need to dramatise your current state, and we can accommodate if you request a day off or two. After all, we understand that allowing employees to rest is also key to high productivity.
2. Making Unfavourable Remarks About Others Competency
Bad-mouthing a co-worker will never do you good. It disrupts the overall work environment and can hurt your career growth, too.
Should you be honest with your boss? Yes. But if you need to raise concerns about the work of others, be objective. State specific incidents and accounts why you believe it’s worth telling your boss. For example, a valid concern is if a colleague with excessive absences already affects the overall team productivity.
Tip: We recommend stating not more than three examples of when an incident occurred. More than that sounds like you are whining already.
3. Malicious Gossips About the Workplace
Did you know that 14% of all talks in the office are about workplace gossip? On average, employees spend 40 minutes each week having this ‘informal’ discourse. That’s pretty huge if you add it together.
While many employees think this is harmless, it can reduce an organisation’s productivity. Your bosses know the repercussions and involving them may place yourself in a bad light. Again, unless you can provide facts to back up your claim, and if the gossip may potentially affect your company, this counts as one of the things you should never say to your boss.
4. Strong Political and Religious Beliefs
Let’s be real. People can become highly emotional when they talk about their beliefs and may take a different opinion personally.
It’s for this reason why your boss may have regulations about certain topics. You may want to check if there is an existing policy about limiting political and religious speech in the workplace. If there is, then it goes without saying that it should be the same approach when talking to your bosses.
5. Financial Troubles
There’s no need to highlight your financial woes in an attempt to ask for a pay rise. You don’t want to sound desperate when negotiating.
An astute freelancer knows how to negotiate their pay by knowing their worth. Asking for a 10% – 15% adjustment of your current salary is considered reasonable by most employers. But before you set a meeting, prepare your case so you can justify why you deserve a pay rise. Also, remember that negotiations are not limited to cash, you can enquire more about other benefits like inclusions in your health insurance and even more vacation leaves.
Remember, as much as your boss wants to get to know you on a deeper level, it doesn’t have to be in detail. There’s a fine line that needs not to be crossed when talking to your employers. At the end of the day, what matters most is that you are happy with your work, and you can deliver your freelance projects on-point and on-time.
