Times have changed, and so have the rules of the workplace. Things that were once acceptable or overlooked are now likely to land you in hot water. Whether it’s due to changing societal norms or stricter company policies, many behaviours are now off-limits. These are 20 things you can no longer do at work.
Gossiping About Colleagues
Indeed says that “negative gossip can harm the work environment and decrease job satisfaction.” Gossiping about the latest office drama was a regular part of the workday, but these days, engaging in office gossip can seriously damage your professional reputation. It can create a toxic work environment, lead to conflicts, and even result in disciplinary action.
Making Personal Calls on Company Time
There was a time when sneaking in a few personal calls during work hours was relatively common. However, with increased scrutiny on productivity and time management, making personal calls on company time is now frowned upon. Employers expect you to be fully present and focused on work tasks, and excessive personal calls can be seen as a distraction.
Displaying Inappropriate Desktop Backgrounds
Having a humorous or risqué desktop background was once a way to personalise your workspace, but what might be funny to one person can be offensive to another. Most workplaces now have guidelines on appropriate desktop backgrounds to maintain a professional environment for everyone.
Sending Inappropriate Emails or Messages
Back in the day, sending a funny, albeit slightly inappropriate, email to a coworker might have been seen as harmless. Today, with digital communication being closely monitored, such messages can easily be flagged as unprofessional or offensive. This can lead to serious consequences, including disciplinary action or even termination.
Taking Long Lunch Breaks
Long, leisurely lunch breaks used to be a common way to break up the workday, but now, with strict policies on break times, extending your lunch break beyond the allotted time can be seen as time theft. Employers are keen on ensuring that all employees are contributing their fair share of work during designated hours.
Using Office Supplies for Personal Use
Taking a few office supplies home for personal use was not a big deal in the past, yet nowadays, using company resources for personal purposes is considered theft. Companies keep a close eye on inventory and expect employees to respect the boundaries between personal and professional use of supplies.
Engaging in Office Romances Openly
Office romances used to be an open secret in many workplaces, yet today, most companies have strict policies regarding relationships between employees—especially when there’s a power imbalance. Openly engaging in office romances can lead to conflicts of interest, accusations of favouritism, and other complications.
Showing Up Late Regularly
Turning up late for work on a regular basis was once tolerated—to some extent. With an increased emphasis on punctuality and professionalism, habitual lateness is now more likely to result in warnings or other disciplinary measures. Employers expect their staff to respect working hours and be reliable.
Drinking Alcohol During Work Hours
Having a beer or a glass of wine during lunch used to be a common practice in some workplaces, can you believe. But drinking alcohol during work hours is generally prohibited now, as it can impair judgement and overall productivity.
Using Social Media Excessively
Browsing social media sites during work hours was once a minor offence. In today’s workplace, excessive use of social media can be seen as a major distraction. Many employers monitor internet usage to ensure employees stay focused on their tasks, and frequent social media activity can lead to reprimands.
Wearing Casual or Inappropriate Attire
Workplace dress codes have become more relaxed in many industries, but there are still boundaries. Wearing overly casual or inappropriate attire can be seen as unprofessional and disrespectful. Companies want to maintain a certain standard of appearance to uphold their brand image and create a respectful work environment.
Playing Office Pranks
Office pranks were once a fun way to build camaraderie among coworkers, yet what might be considered a harmless prank today can easily cross the line into inappropriate or even dangerous territory. Pranks can disrupt work, offend colleagues, or cause accidents, leading to disciplinary action.
Ignoring Company Policies and Procedures
In the past, bending or ignoring certain company policies might have been overlooked. Nowadays, strict adherence to company policies and procedures is expected. Ignoring these guidelines can lead to serious repercussions, including formal warnings or termination, as companies aim to maintain order.
Discussing Politics and Religion
Conversations about politics and religion used to be a normal part of workplace chatter, but these topics are now generally considered off-limits due to their potential to create conflict and division among employees. Companies encourage neutral, inclusive conversations to avoid any discomfort or disagreements.
Taking Frequent Smoke Breaks
Smoking breaks were once a regular and non-negotiable part of the workday for many employees. With increasing awareness of health and productivity, frequent smoke breaks are discouraged now. Many companies have strict policies limiting the number and duration of smoke breaks to ensure employees remain focused.
Leaving Work Early Without Notice
Leaving work early without notifying your manager used to be more common. At work now, it’s expected that you communicate any changes to your schedule in advance. Unscheduled early departures can disrupt workflow and demonstrate a lack of commitment, leading to disciplinary measures.
Bringing Pets to the Office
Bringing your pet to the office might have been a fun and acceptable practice in the past, but unfortunately, due to allergies, safety concerns, and potential distractions, most workplaces now prohibit pets. Companies aim to maintain a professional and safe environment for all employees.
Using Work Computers for Personal Projects
Using your work computer to work on personal projects was once a grey area, but now it’s clearly against most company policies. Employers monitor computer usage to ensure that company resources are used strictly for work-related activities, and misuse can result in disciplinary action.
Criticising Management Openly
If you openly criticised management or company policies in the past, it was somewhat tolerated in certain workplaces. However, most companies now expect employees to express their concerns through appropriate channels. Open criticism can create a hostile work environment and is likely to lead to negative consequences.
Disregarding Work-Life Balance
And finally, while once it was common to work late into the night or take work home regularly, there’s now a greater emphasis on maintaining work-life balance. Companies recognise the importance of employee well-being and productivity, and ignoring this balance can lead to burnout and decreased performance, therefore employees are encouraged to set boundaries.
