See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 31 Fotos
“I want a raise”
- There is nothing wrong with wanting to earn more money. Just make sure that you are well prepared when you address your boss about the topic. Just “wanting” is no compelling reason to negotiate a salary raise. Otherwise, it’ll just sound like a childish demand.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
“I can’t work with x person”
- If you work with people, chances are you will not like everyone, and that’s okay. What is not okay is to refuse to work with a colleague just because you don’t get along. It’s not for your boss to deal with your personal conflicts.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
“I can’t work with x person”
- If you’re genuinely concerned about working with a colleague, tell your boss exactly why and ask advice on how to deal with it from a professional perspective, rather than refuse right off the bat to work with this person.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
“This isn't my fault”
- Relinquishing yourself from responsibility is not a very professional thing to do. Even if something wasn't your fault, explain what happened, the lessons learned, and how things will be different in the future. It's not good business etiquette to point fingers, either.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
“We’ve always done things this way”
- Change is difficult for some people, but flexibility and adaptability are important in today’s job market. Instead of being reluctant to change, ask your boss to explain what will be different. This will make you feel more confident, and you will seem open to, not adverse to, change.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
“In my old job they let me do it this way”
- Saying something like, “in my old job they let me do it this way” sounds defensive and shows inflexibility. Again, respond positively by being curious about the proposed change.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
“That’s above my pay grade”
- If you think you don’t have the authority to perform a task or make a decision, be open about it and tell your boss exactly why you believe this to be the case.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
“I have too much on my plate right now”
- Sometimes, taking on a new project is not feasible. We want our workload to be manageable, but an immediate refusal will not sound good. Discuss your schedule with your boss to figure out if or how extra tasks can fit into your day.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
“My bad”
- Unless said after a minor mishap, "my bad" sounds dismissive and gives the impression that you don’t take your job seriously. We all make mistakes, but it’s important to take responsibility, not casually dismiss them as unimportant.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
"I don't know what you'd do without me"
- Saying something like "I don't know what you'd do without me" will make you sound arrogant and like you’re undermining your boss’s capabilities. Remember, no one is irreplaceable.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
"What's the big deal?"
- Sometimes we don’t understand why our bosses place so much importance on something that didn’t go as expected. Politely ask why your boss is placing so much importance on something so that you can understand where they’re coming from.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
"That's not my job"
- If your boss is asking you to do something that is not in your job description, there is surely a reason for it. If you don’t feel you have the skills, knowledge, or resources to perform the task, that should be openly discussed with your boss.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
“I’m so hungover”
- Announcing that you're hungover won’t give your boss a good impression of you. Partying the day before is not an excuse to do a mediocre job.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
“Do you mind if I leave earlier to go to an interview?”
- While there is nothing wrong with looking for a new job while you’re employed, make sure the process doesn’t impact your current job. Asking to take time off work to attend an interview is not really appropriate.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
“I heard x saying y about you”
- Office gossip is pretty unprofessional, but snitching on another coworker will make you look untrustworthy. If you badmouth a colleague, you can certainly do the same for anyone else, including your boss.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
"I could do your job, it isn't even that hard”
- Saying you could do your boss' job undermines their position and implies that it's easy.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
“I’m so bored”
- Feeling bored at work is normal, but announcing it isn't very professional. If you find yourself with some free time in your schedule, perhaps you could ask to get involved with some other tasks.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
“I’m just doing this job until I find something else”
- Telling your boss that your job is just a stopgap will make you sound like you’re not taking your work seriously. Even if you plan to move on, this shouldn't affect your performance at your current job.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
"I‘m way too smart for this job"
- If you feel your skills are not valued at your current job, you should discuss it with your boss or ultimately find another position.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
“You look x today”
- Comments on one's appearance are generally inappropriate. Some may be okay, depending on how close you are to your boss, but when in doubt, it's best to refrain.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
"Are you pregnant?"
- Speaking of inappropriate comments, you should never ask if your boss is pregnant. This can not only cause embarrassment but actually be really offensive.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
"I just assumed that…"
- Assumption is the mother of all mistakes, and in the workplace, you want communication to be delivered overtly. Never assume. If in doubt, ask for clarification.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
"No offense, but…"
- Saying "no offense, but..." is usually a polite way of saying something offensive and it's likely going to disgruntle your boss.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
“I don’t think x should work with us”
- It’s not your job to review your colleagues' performances. If you are genuinely concerned about a coworker and their behavior is causing a negative impact in the workplace, then have an honest and professional conversation about them with your boss.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
“Sorry, I lied on my interview”
- If you said in your interview that you can do something and then fail to do so because it’s not true, then this is a serious offense. After all, you were hired because you had a particular skillset.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
“If x happens/doesn't happen, I’ll just leave”
- Ultimatums are not suited for the workplace. Threats should never be used under any circumstances. This is not to say you can’t negotiate things; just don’t make it an ultimatum.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
“Can you ask x to do it instead?”
- If your boss asked you to do something and not another coworker, maybe there is a reason for it. If you are not sure, ask. Don’t tell your boss how to delegate work—that’s their job, not yours.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
“Can I borrow some money for x?”
- If you need to borrow money for a coffee or something else small, your boss is not the first person you should go to. Instead, ask a coworker.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Slang of any kind
- Using slang words when speaking with your colleagues is generally ok, but it's not ok to do with your boss.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Swearing of any kind
- The same goes (even more so) for swearing. In fact, you should avoid swearing altogether in the workplace.
Sources: (Monster) (Business Insider) (US News) (Best Life)
See also: Signs you have a toxic boss
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 31 Fotos
“I want a raise”
- There is nothing wrong with wanting to earn more money. Just make sure that you are well prepared when you address your boss about the topic. Just “wanting” is no compelling reason to negotiate a salary raise. Otherwise, it’ll just sound like a childish demand.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
“I can’t work with x person”
- If you work with people, chances are you will not like everyone, and that’s okay. What is not okay is to refuse to work with a colleague just because you don’t get along. It’s not for your boss to deal with your personal conflicts.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
“I can’t work with x person”
- If you’re genuinely concerned about working with a colleague, tell your boss exactly why and ask advice on how to deal with it from a professional perspective, rather than refuse right off the bat to work with this person.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
“This isn't my fault”
- Relinquishing yourself from responsibility is not a very professional thing to do. Even if something wasn't your fault, explain what happened, the lessons learned, and how things will be different in the future. It's not good business etiquette to point fingers, either.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
“We’ve always done things this way”
- Change is difficult for some people, but flexibility and adaptability are important in today’s job market. Instead of being reluctant to change, ask your boss to explain what will be different. This will make you feel more confident, and you will seem open to, not adverse to, change.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
“In my old job they let me do it this way”
- Saying something like, “in my old job they let me do it this way” sounds defensive and shows inflexibility. Again, respond positively by being curious about the proposed change.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
“That’s above my pay grade”
- If you think you don’t have the authority to perform a task or make a decision, be open about it and tell your boss exactly why you believe this to be the case.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
“I have too much on my plate right now”
- Sometimes, taking on a new project is not feasible. We want our workload to be manageable, but an immediate refusal will not sound good. Discuss your schedule with your boss to figure out if or how extra tasks can fit into your day.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
“My bad”
- Unless said after a minor mishap, "my bad" sounds dismissive and gives the impression that you don’t take your job seriously. We all make mistakes, but it’s important to take responsibility, not casually dismiss them as unimportant.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
"I don't know what you'd do without me"
- Saying something like "I don't know what you'd do without me" will make you sound arrogant and like you’re undermining your boss’s capabilities. Remember, no one is irreplaceable.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
"What's the big deal?"
- Sometimes we don’t understand why our bosses place so much importance on something that didn’t go as expected. Politely ask why your boss is placing so much importance on something so that you can understand where they’re coming from.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
"That's not my job"
- If your boss is asking you to do something that is not in your job description, there is surely a reason for it. If you don’t feel you have the skills, knowledge, or resources to perform the task, that should be openly discussed with your boss.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
“I’m so hungover”
- Announcing that you're hungover won’t give your boss a good impression of you. Partying the day before is not an excuse to do a mediocre job.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
“Do you mind if I leave earlier to go to an interview?”
- While there is nothing wrong with looking for a new job while you’re employed, make sure the process doesn’t impact your current job. Asking to take time off work to attend an interview is not really appropriate.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
“I heard x saying y about you”
- Office gossip is pretty unprofessional, but snitching on another coworker will make you look untrustworthy. If you badmouth a colleague, you can certainly do the same for anyone else, including your boss.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
"I could do your job, it isn't even that hard”
- Saying you could do your boss' job undermines their position and implies that it's easy.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
“I’m so bored”
- Feeling bored at work is normal, but announcing it isn't very professional. If you find yourself with some free time in your schedule, perhaps you could ask to get involved with some other tasks.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
“I’m just doing this job until I find something else”
- Telling your boss that your job is just a stopgap will make you sound like you’re not taking your work seriously. Even if you plan to move on, this shouldn't affect your performance at your current job.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
"I‘m way too smart for this job"
- If you feel your skills are not valued at your current job, you should discuss it with your boss or ultimately find another position.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
“You look x today”
- Comments on one's appearance are generally inappropriate. Some may be okay, depending on how close you are to your boss, but when in doubt, it's best to refrain.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
"Are you pregnant?"
- Speaking of inappropriate comments, you should never ask if your boss is pregnant. This can not only cause embarrassment but actually be really offensive.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
"I just assumed that…"
- Assumption is the mother of all mistakes, and in the workplace, you want communication to be delivered overtly. Never assume. If in doubt, ask for clarification.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
"No offense, but…"
- Saying "no offense, but..." is usually a polite way of saying something offensive and it's likely going to disgruntle your boss.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
“I don’t think x should work with us”
- It’s not your job to review your colleagues' performances. If you are genuinely concerned about a coworker and their behavior is causing a negative impact in the workplace, then have an honest and professional conversation about them with your boss.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
“Sorry, I lied on my interview”
- If you said in your interview that you can do something and then fail to do so because it’s not true, then this is a serious offense. After all, you were hired because you had a particular skillset.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
“If x happens/doesn't happen, I’ll just leave”
- Ultimatums are not suited for the workplace. Threats should never be used under any circumstances. This is not to say you can’t negotiate things; just don’t make it an ultimatum.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
“Can you ask x to do it instead?”
- If your boss asked you to do something and not another coworker, maybe there is a reason for it. If you are not sure, ask. Don’t tell your boss how to delegate work—that’s their job, not yours.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
“Can I borrow some money for x?”
- If you need to borrow money for a coffee or something else small, your boss is not the first person you should go to. Instead, ask a coworker.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Slang of any kind
- Using slang words when speaking with your colleagues is generally ok, but it's not ok to do with your boss.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Swearing of any kind
- The same goes (even more so) for swearing. In fact, you should avoid swearing altogether in the workplace.
Sources: (Monster) (Business Insider) (US News) (Best Life)
See also: Signs you have a toxic boss
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
Things you should never, ever say to your boss
Is honesty always the best policy?
© Shutterstock
While many of us are well-versed in workplace etiquette, when it comes to communication with those who manage us, mistakes are sometimes made. There are statements and questions we ought to rephrase or avoid completely when we talk to our bosses. Many of these may seem harmless, but they can be rather inappropriate.
In this gallery, we bring you a list of some of the things you should never say to your boss. Click on to discover.
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