Conversations in the workplace: You should avoid these topics at all costs

Created: 08/09/2022 11:28 am

By: Carina Blumenroth

Conversations between colleagues can be good for the working atmosphere, but certain topics should be left out.

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You spend a lot of the time in your life at work – so it's good if you get along with your colleagues.

However, you should avoid these topics of conversation.

Small talk at work, joking with colleagues and exchanging ideas with each other.

This is not only good for the working atmosphere, but can also be beneficial for your career.

There are a few things you should avoid talking about in the workplace, however, to keep things from changing or being misclassified as toxic.

Conversations in the workplace: Sexual intercourse and religion are taboo

Discussions with colleagues can be personal, but please not too personal.

For example, you should completely avoid anecdotes from your sex life.

Also, sensitive topics that could trigger endless discussions tend not to be suitable for the workplace.

This includes religion and politics.

When it comes to the subject areas, there are sometimes conflicting camps and the risk of conflict.

According to the portal

, a tip for general topics of conversation is the rule that what you would not discuss in the presence of your boss should be kept to yourself.

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Workplace Conversations: Don't whine or whine

People who always whine or complain about certain situations or the behavior of others without seeking direct dialogue generally do not go down well.

The working atmosphere is slowly becoming poisoned and you yourself are anything but good in front of your colleagues.

With this behavior you remain in the role of the dissatisfied.

It's better if you get down to it and try to address what really bothers you.

If it's not so bad after all, then make sure you don't complain too much about it.

Conversations at work: things that are entrusted to you or the corridor radio

In everyday work there are people with whom you get along better than with others.

However, if things have been said to you in confidence, it is better to keep them to yourself.

If you shared the secrets, you'd probably draw superficial attention at first—but there's a price to pay.

The trust of the person whose secret you passed on is broken and the other colleagues will no longer trust you either, as

explains.

Nine things everyone secretly does in the office

View photo gallery

Conversations at work: Are you about to change jobs?

Then you should be silent

If you are planning a career path in another company, then you should only talk about it with your colleagues when everything is already settled.

If a planned departure from the team becomes public, this can cause different reactions, for example you can be excluded from the team in advance because you will soon no longer be part of it.

When communicating in this context, simply bear in mind that you will still be working at your old workplace with your colleagues until you change jobs.

Conversations in the workplace: You should avoid these topics at all costs

• Comments about appearances: Avoid statements like "Your outfit fits you great!" - Such compliments can easily come across as unprofessional, intrusive or sexist.

  You should also avoid asking about a possible pregnancy as much as possible.

• Do not express your surprise that a colleague has received a project.

  This implies that you do not think the person is suitable and that you would have done better yourself.

  According to

  Business Insider

  , you should rather congratulate them on their success.

• Talking about health: Don't go into details about health problems.

  If necessary, mention headaches or similar problems – other symptoms may scare off your colleagues.

  You also run the risk of being perceived as less resilient if you frequently bring up illnesses.

  It can be different with chronic stress that affects your work capacity.

• Age discrimination: Under certain circumstances, the question of age can also hold dangers in store - the competence of the person can be called into question.

Conversations in the workplace: soft skill teamwork

It is the one statement that appears in many resumes - strength: team spirit.

Whether that is true, as you have stated, will only become apparent in everyday work.

You can reflect on your ability to work in a team by thinking about your own interactions with colleagues.

For example, how do you react to ideas that come from colleagues?

Do you reject them directly because you don't think they can be done?

Or do you go into it specifically and are appreciative?