How Not to Get Fired at Your Job

June 28, 2006 by Vixen

Almost every gal knows the standard office etiquette…it’s usually drummed into us in Orientation of our first job. However, there are some stuff that are frowned upon in the industry that you might not be clued in about. Here are some little rules for the stuff that is left open-ended—or unsaid.

No smoking in the office. It will seriously piss off your coworkers and it’s also illegal in most places!
Keep personal phone calls very short. Employers don’t want to pay for you to conduct your business on their dime. In addition, your coworkers don’t want to know all your damn business!
Be careful what you say when you think ‘noone’ is around. Remember in Ally McBeal when whoever they were talking about in the bathroom was always in the cubicle next to them?
Be nice to the ‘little people‘. Sure you might think that having a modicum of seniority gives you the right to be a bitch, but you catch more flies with honey than vineger. If the mail guy/receptionist is pissed at you and has the opportunity, they will wreak havoc on your career. So be nice to everyone. Even the little people.
Dress like a Career Girl. Not like a Vegas showgirl, or a stripper. Invest in some decent office apparel (if you’re broke, outlet/designer discount & thrift stores will help you out.) Leave your more sexy, tight, split and racy cuts for AFTER work.
Office Romance—BAD IDEA! Take it from all the hordes of ladies that have gone before you. No matter how hot he is, how much you guys click on the job, an office romance is a recipe for disaster. If it does work out you have all your coworkers questioning/gossiping about you. If it doesn’t work out, you have to deal with your broken heart while watching him prance around your job five days a week. Eek!
If you are going to break standard office rules, be slick about it. You can get fired on the spot for breaking the rules, so think twice before you lie on your expense claims, stash office stationary home or ‘work the system‘ to actually avoid doing any work.