Lollygag w/ Caution 101

Did you know that anything you tell your colleagues will spread faster than a link to a secret sex tape? Always remember that everyone loves to pass on gossip. What’s more, most people continue to talk and complain about colleagues when they get home or see friends.

So here are my top 10 things I believe you shouldn’t share with anyone at work:

1. Salary or money details – Never talk about money at work, be it details about your salary or how much you have spent on your house, car or latest gadget. Talking about money can trigger lots of negative feelings such as jealousy and resentment.
2. Intimate details about your love or sex life – you might have the most amazing or most miserable love life there is, but don’t share the detail at work.
3. Whether and how much alcohol you drink – even if you are nursing the hangover from hell or want to share the excesses of your super party weekend, don’t do it at work. It will always look unprofessional. And as for talking about other drugs – don’t even think about it!
4. Political views – You might feel like saying: “Why would anyone in their right mind vote Republican?” Simply don’t do it. Politics can divide people and open up a massive can of worms.
5. Religious views – The same applies to religious beliefs. It is great that people have their religions but remember that many wars are caused by religious differences.
6. Non-pc jokes – We all like to have a laugh at work but not if it means you discriminate against anyone. If you feel the need to share jokes just think twice whether they might offend someone.
7. Your Facebook account – Making friends at work is wonderful but I feel that connecting with all colleagues on Facebook is a step too far. I use LinkedIn for colleagues and Facebook only for close friends. I think it is so hard to control what goes out to others (e.g. comments of friends of friends etc.). Almost every day I see posts and pictures on Facebook that make me cringe (where friends of friends have posted completely inappropriate things) and it is best to keep colleagues out of that loop.
8. Medical details – For whatever reason we love to talk about our illnesses and ailments. A bit like kids that can’t wait to show others their scratches and bruises. Even though we all want to hear about medical details, work is not the place to share personal details.
9. Gossip and negative comments about co-workers – Even if you think everyone agrees that “David from the accounts department is a massive jerk” – don’t say it out loud!
10. That you are looking for a new job – You might feel unhappy in your job and are actively looking for new post, but don’t tell anyone at work. It will very quickly come out and could leave you in an awkward position.

Just to be clear: Obviously there are many work places where it is safe to share intimate personal details. I am NOT advocating that you become a work robot that never shares any part of their personality with others. Of course we want personality, opinions and the true you at work! The key point I want to make is that sharing any of 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10 and too much of 2, 4, 5, 7 is generally inappropriate at work and can make you or others feel exposed or side-lined.

About Lynda Miriga

"In this industry, pretty girls are a dime-a-dozen… what the world needs is not just a striking look, but a Fierce Personality in corporation with Attitude, professionalism, knowledge, and networking. My name is Lynda Miriga - The second of 4 Siblings. I am a Poet, Singer, Blogger, Swimmer, but most importantly, my career as a Model has taken me around the globe from Africa to UAE and Singapore as well as numerous cities in the U.S. and Europe, before settling in USA on April 2006, I had the opportunity to represent art & fashion both as a UNICEF spokesperson & a Model Ambassador. Had the pleasure of working with well-known profiles like Gucci, as a Commercial Model; Gracing the pre-opening press catalog (2006) for Burj Al Arab, Dubai and a Billboard Ad (Model) for Svedka Vodka (2010). Among my volunteer projects includes UNICEF – Tap Water Project (During World Water Week in Apr 2010), where I raised well over 20,000 and was credited with a Gold - Presidential Award (2011) for my outstanding voluntary service. My intense confidence, guides me to continue seeking intelligence, honesty with humanity while maintaining a sense of humor. My most inspired motto: 'the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. This is my dream, follow me on my journey.'

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