7 Things Never to Say to Your Boss

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What to say and What Not To Say, while helpful to some, is quite simply just common sense to most of us. The ability for employees and employers to effectively communicate is built on a relationship of mutual respect. If an employer is the bully, saying, "I pay your salary," then let him go find someone that is willing to allow themselves to be for sale. If you feel you are way too qualified for your job or way overworked, then actively pursue other avenues and keep your mouth shut at the workplace. All negativity and criticism between employers and employees should be private. So, employees - - stop complaining and stop gossiping; and, employers - - respect the individual skill set of employees and put into place the motivational tools needed for employees' sucess, which equals the company's sucess.

Sheri Ladd of FL 3:51PM March 26, 2010

You'll very likely save a few heads...

Craig 3:31PM March 26, 2010

honestly, boss knew if you do your job right or not.very few of them are those who do not care..most bosses they climbed thier way up. so, they were employee once or twice.

liz 3:22PM March 26, 2010

Good suggestions. I'd love an article on alternative things to say when your boss is making unreasonable demands.

Hard worker of OH 3:17PM March 26, 2010

1) "(The last place I worked) did it this (other) way." While I was always open to new ideas, employees should realize that openness is a two way street. Sometimes the job is done a certain way because the end result falls into place a certain way. Refrain from saying this and it will help your boss resist some stupid retort like, "I pay your salary, so it's my way or the highway." Bosses, remember if you are challenged, be prepared to offer why you want things done the way you do. It has to make sense!
2) "I am capable of more work than (another coworker), so I will only work as hard as THEY do." Maybe you are, but in trying to be an 'adequate' worker you are likely not doing your share. There are usually reasons employees do not get advanced. The boss does not 'hate' you. Bosses, make sure that you don't.
3) "I'm doing you a favor by working here." A job is not an entitlement. You may be doing your boss a favor by your presence, but your boss is likewise doing you one by providing the opportunity. Like it or not, the job is what is important to the company, not who fills it. There are likely many qualified people who would love to replace you. Bosses, remember it can be expensive and time consuming to train new employees - try to work it out first.
4) "How come you have a new car and I don't?" There are a lot of potential answers to this. Assuming you are being paid a reasonable wage (which you agreed to) it may be as simple as you need to decide what is most important in your life. Perhaps you need to give up your booze and pot. Remember that often the boss (particularly if he is the company owner) usually comes early, stays late, sweeps the floors at night, and gets paid last - if anything is left. Bosses, I know that it is the business owner is the one who takes all the financial risk. That said, we should be generous when we can and not extravagant when the employees are hurting. Even if you aren't a 'union shop' find out what the scale is and make every effort to match it. Take a chance on humanity, treat all your employees fairly and they will usually do likewise.

A retired business owner of ID 2:57PM March 26, 2010

I worked for my company for over 7 years. Started off doing Data Entry and learned a lot. I took on the job of three people and was getting paid the salary of one. Didn't receive a raise for three years. Sometimes when you show that you can handle additional responsibilities it can back fire because they keep adding on and don't pay you for the work and performance you are putting out

Frustrated of NY 2:35PM March 26, 2010

Although "It's not my job" may not be a good thing to say to your boss or a person that is higher on the toem pole, sometimes it has to be said. I work in the billing Accounts Receivables/Payables Department at my company. The person that I am supposed to report to in that Department oversees my direct boss, she expects me to tell my boss what to do and when to do it. I've tried explaining to her that I am not my bosses boss and yet she still refuses to understand. I have no authority to tell people what to do in her absence, beacuse she is co-owner of the company I am not. so from time to time I have to tell her that "It's not my job" to oversee what other people are doing.

Frustrated of NY 2:29PM March 26, 2010

Whining is NEVER appreciated but, what most people in management positions take offense to is that they may be part of the problem. If you come in with an attitude that my employee's are less than I then, you should expect negativity from your employee's. Instead of coming in each day with a better than you attitude try to come in with a smile when passing your employee's. Try making eye contact with them instead of ignoring them and if spoken to at least have enough courtesy to acknowledge them instead of just walking by. It's the little things that make a difference.
What you see as whining may actually be an employee trying to get across an issue that may keep your business going. Stop and take a minute and listen instead of just assuming that the employee is whining.
Keeping a good environment between the employee's and management can only improve the output of a company.

Carol of CA 2:25PM March 26, 2010

Here's number eight: "No, that can't possibly be right!" News flash: corporate executives are not immune to this (and the other examples) from higher-ups and, sometimes, employees CAN be right (and, sometimes, even if it's counterintuitive) and, especially, when what is being called into question is based on internal or external politics or personal bias instead of business related facts, reason, and logic.

lord fairfax of VA 2:07PM March 26, 2010

Where i work my boss is always telling us that our 90 day employee review is here and he also tells us to do as i say and not as i do. I have been at this job for a while and i have moved up pretty fast. But my thing is my boss complains about his employees not getting work done, or the new employees are not good enough after they have had only 4 days of little training. When we train our new employees he doesn't have enough people working so the new employees can get the proper training. He gives us time limits on getting our work done for that day and no matter how we try to do it as fast as we can and still do customer service and to open or close the store we only have a hour and 15 minutes to get everything done to the way he likes it. Also when we try to suggest a alternative to something he always replies by saying this is my store and my rules not yours and you will do it the way i want you to or else. So I can see why alot of employees have a hard time at thier place of employment, especially when the boss is not willing to listen or to help their employees.

Nini of OH 2:05PM March 26, 2010