Column Chronicles: Mistakes that get you fired and could ruin your career

Mistakes that get you fired and could ruin your career

Frank Cotolo
April 28, 2016

People working in offices do some crazy things. They throw chairs and sometimes out of windows from floors high atop buildings, they tip over water coolers, rip up file folders, shoot stables at random out of staple guns, break pencils, spit onto computer screens, punch computer screens, shove co-workers faces into computer screens... you get the picture. People become angry, frustrated and lose control on the job. Even if you are the most talented person on the staff, you will be fired and your career will be damaged if you "go nuts" in an office situation.

Your behavior may not even be as radical as described above. Here are nine examples of the most subtle yet damaging behavior that should be avoided when working in an office, as well as if you are running for office.

Backstabbing - I don't mean literally, I mean when you go over someone's head to solve a problem that should be solved by going around the head or, what is better, to directly face the head. Notice that the back has nothing to do with this?

Gossiping - If you don't know something is true and you pass on that story, you will appear to be a lowdown, jealous, insecure person. Though there are times when such appearances can earn you a pay hike, when it comes to stories about other people, shut your mouth.

False crediting - Never take credit for work done by someone else. That is, unless that person left the work unsigned and quit after performing lewd acts in the restroom.

Bragging - No one respects a person who is verbally delighted with his or her work and advertises his or her great accomplishments. Gloating shows a person's insecurity and may never get you invited to an event hosted by the boss, especially if that event includes a rolling bar.

Sloppy eating - People watch how other people eat and they judge people who eat sloppily. Don't keep your mouth open when you chew in front of co-workers or bosses. Don't tie a napkin around your neck before you eat. Don't use a fork to eat soup, even if it has chunky parts. Wipe your mouth after every bite.

Misrepresentation - Don't tell people you are a doctor if you never received a degree.

Mocking - Don't put two fingers behind a boss' head when he cannot see but your co-workers can see.

Did I say nine? Let's settle for seven.

Frank Cotolo can be found hosting the talk and interview programme Cotolo Chronicles. You can send him an e-mail at this address: frank@148.ca.