10 Bad Behaviors Guaranteed to Get You Fired

While you should definitely never steal from the company you work for, we’re talking about more than physical items here. Working on your side hustle during work hours, taking long lunch breaks, and shopping online while in the office are all perfect examples of stealing precious time from your company.

If you’re not making them money, you’re wasting their (and your) time.

Workplace gossip is pretty much inevitable, but you should always try to avoid it like the plague. If something gets traced back to you, it’s not a good look.

Happy hour is a much-loved tradition at most offices, but you should know your limits. Getting drinks with co-workers after work hours is a great way to bond; getting sloshed at lunch and coming back to work is a great way to get fired.

When it comes to office relationships, it’s best not to mix business with pleasure. It doesn’t take too many episodes of Grey’s Anatomy to realize things can get messy (not to mention all kinds of awkward) when you get involved with a co-worker.

Harassment comes in many forms. There’s sexual harassment, which is an obvious no-no. But you should also make sure you’re not making your office environment a hostile one. If you’re having a bad day, put in your earphones instead of taking your anger out on an innocent co-worker. If you have an inappropriate joke you just have to share, reserve it for happy hour.

First, there’s the obvious: hopefully by now, we all know better than to trash a co-worker or boss on social media. In addition, if you’re going to call in sick when you just really want a day off, you should stay off social media altogether. Posting updates or your location for all the world to see could jeopardize your job.  

Also, keep in mind that work and politics don’t typically mix. So before you let your co-workers know your thoughts on controversial topics via social media, think about the awkward conversations it could spark in the office.

You know what we’re referring to here. To put it simply, when you’re at work, work. Save your special interests for when you’re in the comfort of your own home and steer clear of any NSFW material at the office.

Everyone has a bad day every now and then; just make sure you’re not barking orders and complaining 24/7. Drink your coffee, put on your best smile, look up some motivational quotes, and be a team player.

Listing a previous job title as “administrative assistant” as opposed to “secretary” is perfectly acceptable on a resume, but there is a very fine line between embellishing your experience and lying about it. Honesty is always the best policy.

Punctuality is a virtue in the workplace and communication is key. If you’re going to be late, let a co-worker know. If you’ve got an upcoming doctor’s appointment, let your boss know in advance. No one is perfect and your boss shouldn’t expect you to be, but you should at least try to be on time and communicate when you just can’t be.