10 Rules of Behavior at Workspace That You Can Disregard And It’s Okay

No matter what sphere you work in, there is a certain number of rules in any space. And we’re not talking about the ones that are set by the company itself (like coming to the office on time), but rather, the ones that exist between colleagues, employees, and bosses. Simply speaking, these exist as a way to dictate behavior between co-workers, and no one knows why.

We at CHEERY decided that it’s not necessary to follow some of these rules. In fact, following them can sometimes even be harmful. That’s why we’ve prepared some bright examples of such standards.

Being in touch 24/7

When your working day is over, you have the right to turn off your phone and not answer business messages and calls. However, some bosses are adamant that an employee should always be in touch.

Communicating with colleagues, even if you don’t want to

Not all colleagues evoke pleasant feelings in us, but still, sometimes we continue to listen to unnecessary conversations instead of staying in silence, being left alone. Being colleagues doesn’t equate to being friends, which is why politely saying that you are not into chit-chatting right now is nothing to be ashamed of — if you don’t want to talk, you don’t have to.

Striving for career growth

Every now and then, we hear that a successful person should continue to climb the career ladder. But if you like your position and your place of work, you don’t need to get down on yourself for not growing. Career growth isn’t the only sign of success, and oftentimes, people can be truly happy staying in the same position for years.

Wearing a business suit every day

Of course it’s great when there is no dress code in your company. But even so, some people still wear a suit to the office to look more respectable. Relax, a clean and well-ironed t-shirt with jeans is just fine for an office with no dress code.

Keeping your opinions to yourself

Some people think that one shouldn’t express their opinion while on a team and it’s better to keep silent. It’s definitely not worth arguing with the boss because of some whim, but if the decisions made by your boss are illegal, harm someone’s health, or break the personal boundaries of an employee, you shouldn’t keep silent.

Leaving a previous job only after you find a new one

Some people might feel scared to leave without having a new job set up and prefer to tolerate unpleasant work conditions until they find a new one and feel confident in their future. This opinion is valid, as stability in work is important for sure. But when is it worth leaving a job without having a plan? There are many, including issues with you receiving your payment, a delayed salary, salary reductions, reductions in staff, or harmful actions taken by your boss or colleagues.

Holding back remarks to colleagues out of courtesy

Sometimes we are itching to say that our colleague has bad breath or tends to talk too loud in the office. But we stay quiet because we don’t want to be seen as impolite. But it’s okay to make tactful, honest remarks. Just pull the person aside and gently tell them what you think.

Having social media accounts that you don’t worry about your boss seeing

Our social media accounts are our personal space. And no matter what photos we post there, it doesn’t make us bad people. Whether you’re a teacher, a doctor, an engineer, or a kindergarten teacher — a person of any profession has the right to personal life. And posting a photo in a bikini is not a shameful thing to do, even for someone working in the science field.

Taking on extra duties for free

Managers and bosses sometimes like to tack on tasks that are out of their employees’ duties, while employees, especially new ones, want to start on the right foot and agree to these duties. But after doing this, they are simply unable to reject any extra work. It’s better to discuss such things at the beginning — if you are ready to take on extra work, your boss should be ready to pay for your time.

Keeping silent about your merits at work

There is another common opinion among working teams — there is no “me,” only “us.” But if there is an opportunity to show that it’s you who’s a great worker, don’t feel shy about it. Your skills and talents belong to only you, not to your team at work.

What unspoken rules at work would you like to cancel?