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Common Words and Phrases to Avoid Saying at Work

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Coworkers_talking

If you work in a friendly, relaxed work environment, you may not give a lot of thought to what you say or how you express your feelings. But according to author Judith Humphrey, you should. Humphrey believes that in the office, you always need to be polite and professional. This means that you need to avoid saying certain words or phrases that could send the wrong message to your managers and coworkers.

Here are words and phrases and Humphrey thinks you should avoid (and what you could say instead):

“Whatever” (as well as “sure” and “fine”)

  • Why you should avoid it – The word “whatever” is innately snarky. You’re basically saying that you’ll go along with the other person, but you think that what they’re doing is a mistake. The words “sure” or “fine” can also sound curt and annoyed when they’re said in an angry tone.  
  • What to say instead – “That sounds like a good idea. Let’s move forward with it.”

“It is what it is”

  • Why you should avoid it – This phrase shuts people down. You’re saying that the situation is not going to change, so you don’t want to hear any feedback.
  • What to say instead – “This is the situation we’re in. Does anyone have any ideas about how we can change it?”

“I’m pissed off”

  • Why you should avoid it – Expressing anger at the office is usually a bad idea. It can make your clients and coworkers feel uncomfortable, and they may avoid interacting with you in the future.
  • What to say instead – Nothing. Unless you’re talking to a trusted coworker, you should probably keep your angry feelings to yourself.

“I can’t”

  • Why you should avoid it – Even though there are certainly going to be times when you can’t do what a manager or client is asking you to do, you should still try to avoid using the words “I can’t.” It might make you sound ineffective or like you’re being difficult.
  • What to say instead – Instead of saying what you can’t do, shift the focus to what you can do. If a manager asks you to write a report by Monday, you could say “I can send you a detailed outline on Monday – and I’ll have the finished report ready for you by Wednesday.”

…

Humphrey, J. (2017, July 23). Six words and phrases that make everyone hate working with you. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/40441775/six-words-and-phrases-that-make-everyone-hate-working-with-you

Should You Use Emojis and Emoticons at Work?

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Emojis

Are winking, laughing, and frowning faces professional? Is it OK to use them in your work emails, texts, and instant messages? The answer is “maybe.” It really depends on where you work and who you work for.

Some managers think emojis and emoticons are fine, while others see them as inappropriate. A recent survey by OfficeTeam (a staffing firm) revealed the following:

  • 40% of managers think that a smiley face now and then is OK.   🙂
  • 39% of managers think they’re unprofessional and inappropriate.   🙁
  • 21% of managers think they’re great. Use them as much as you want!   🙂

So you should determine how your manager feels about emojis and emoticons before you start using them. See if other people are doing it or just ask one of your coworkers. And as a general rule, you shouldn’t use them with customers or people you don’t know very well.

Also, even if it’s OK for you to use them, remember that they can be misinterpreted. If you use really obscure ones, people might not know what they represent. And studies have suggested that it’s not unusual for people to view the same emoji in different ways. (I mean, it’s not always clear what emotion is being conveyed. Is that face shocked or surprised? Is it smiling or smirking?)

So go ahead and use emojis and emoticons at work, as long as they’re acceptable in your office and your meaning is clear. Just try not to go overboard! Even though they’re kind of entertaining, too many emojis can be confusing and distracting.   🙁

 

Put an emoji on it: Should you use emojis in business communication? (2016, January 7). Business.com. Retrieved from http://www.business.com/entrepreneurship/put-an-emoji-on-it-should-you-use-emojis-in-business-communication/

Wolper, J. (2016). Smile! (Or don’t). Talent Development, 70(11), 18.

 

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