10 Things You Should Never Say to a New Work Colleague…Ever

Meeting people can be kind of scary. Forming connection when you are starting a new job is intimidating. It can also be a bit daunting to introduce yourself to a new coworker in the office, even if you’ve been in your job for a while. If you are in the latter position, remember to be thoughtful when you are speaking with the new person- they are probably nervous and you are in the position to put their mind at ease.

Although it would be important to think we could say anything and everything to our fellow desk slave but let’s be real, the modern office is a labyrinth, and even the best intentions go awry. But in order to make new colleague feel welcome, the following are some of the things you should definitely avoid saying to your new work colleagues;

Given the amount of time we spent at work, it is understandable that a lot of us get pretty comfortable there, it is a good thing when you can really be yourself at work, but no matter how much your workplace feel at home, it is a professional environment and there are some lines that should not be crossed.

Let’s discuss the few things you should never say to a new work colleague…ever;

• What is your salary?

This is unprofessional when it’s directed at people that you’ve worked with for some time. it’s just downright awkward when posed to the person who is just starting out. Asking a new work colleague what they earn is risky in two ways: the question may be taken as invasive, and the answer itself could cause trouble.

• “I hate it here”

It is understandable and reasonable that you need to vent once in a while, but the office is not the right place to do it. you can save the commentary for others or neutral third parties. Telling a new coworker that you hate this job is not only unprofessional, it is demoralizing. No one wants to feel like they work in an undesired place. Don’t bring them down.

• “Hey…you”

Not everybody’s great at remembering names, despite the fact that it is very important to have the skill. However, when speaking with the new person in the office, it is better to just ask for a reminder of the name instead of guessing their name (or forgoing calling them anything whatsoever). They are new, so they most likely won’t be offended.

• “I’m so hungover”

Do what you want with your free time. but leave it at the office door. At the very least refrain from saying it out loud, drinking too much from time to time might be a universal experience but bringing it to the office is very unprofessional and should probably be avoided whenever possible.

• Stick with me and you will go places

First of all, immediately offering to mentor someone makes you sound a tad arrogant. Second of all, you don’t know this person! They might be capable of charming you at the water cooler, but that doesn’t mean they are deserving of your guidance.

• Sorry you feel that way

People often say this to wrap up a disagreement quickly. This response is likely to elongate negative feelings towards you in the long run. It suggests you haven’t acknowledged that personal feelings and worse, have no time for them. Instead, try asking open questions with sincerity like ‘what could I do next time to avoid you feeling this way?’ this opens up the conversation in a non-confrontational way. Even though you don’t fully agree with what that person is saying, you are showing you that you acknowledge something is amiss regardless, which it is.

• “so annoying”

You never want to risk this getting back to the person about whom you are speaking. This type of gossip can be toxic, as a new colleague may start to wonder if they too find that person to be very annoying. Avoid bad-mouthing colleagues to new coworkers as much as possible inside the workplace, your significant other or your family member is better for this type of talk.

• “Calm down”

This statement is an imperative. It is a genuine order and, unless you are in a position to command the obedience of your interlocutor, you shouldn’t be using it. also, it is very patronising. Telling someone to ‘calm down’ implies that they are wound up and you are not, that they are fraught and fragile when you are strong and stable, that they are incapable and you are pulled together. It is common for men directing such imperatives at a woman.

• Here is everything you need to know to succeed here

Sure, sharing this kind of information can be really helpful. But it is helpful to offer a little bit at a time over there first few weeks, and not overwhelm your new coworker right away. Plus there’s some stuff they should figure out on their own.

• “I hate our boss”

Sometimes, office gossip can be a good thing but it is not a good idea to trash the higher-ups to the new colleague. Most likely their loyalties will lie with the boss that just hired them, rather than the grumpy person that keeps leaning over to spout complaint at them. You need o talk about the important things that are going on in the office rather than gossiping and saying bad things about the boss.

The above listed are the 10 things you should never say to new work colleagues employed…ever, rather always encourage and always be a good example to them and most importantly never badmouth any existing coworker to a new work colleague just because you favour him/her.