10 Things You Should Never Say to Your Boss

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This advice sounds like it's mostly intended for Millennials. With a very few exceptions, they are the only ones who would ever imagine any of the above is appropriate to say to a boss.
And That Girl, if you're still listening: Use e-mail to fullest extent possible.

Kelly of TX 8:06PM March 25, 2012

if you are crazy enough to say these things you must either be inept or want to get fired or have almost enough dirt on somebody to blackmail them.

julie of NC 5:52PM March 22, 2012

See #9.

b of MA 10:13AM March 20, 2012

I understand I need to take my own notes but please consider some people ask bosses to put things in writing because some bosses lie, prevaricate, and dissemble when you do exactly what they told you to do and they don't like the results.

that girl of NY 9:23AM March 20, 2012

Jobs need to stop being paid slavery!
Obviously you don't want to behave rudely at work.. BUT you also SHOULDN'T BE EXPECTED TO LICK THEIR BOOTS.. And mold every aspect of your life for your job.

okin sama of IL 8:23PM March 19, 2012

Edward, most workplaces require that you clear time off with your boss before taking it. If yours doesn't, that's great -- but most places do, and refusing to follow that rule can get someone fired.

Alison Green of DC 6:35PM March 19, 2012

"Never book time off without clearing it with your boss."
Wow. What a crock.
I work to live, not live to work. If I want time off, I take it --- because ultimately, my life is mine and I am only selling my spare time to the highest bidder, ie. my current employer.
If my employer has plans, they need to tell me in advance - not the other way around.
Only a slave begs for time off. Only a child asks for permission.

Edward McCain of LA 5:04PM March 19, 2012

I like this. NOT. It's not what you shouldn't say to your boss. It's "What your boss is probably too immature to hear.", at least in a number of cases.
Any boss who treats me like I am someone who can't tell him how it really is, shouldn't be there anyway.

cort of OH 4:34PM March 19, 2012

Attitude is definitely everything. However, I think that
"I can't work with Joe" is a sticky point to make. Group dynamics are very important, and not everyone will get along. Granted, refusing to work with someone is bad practice. However, the reality of the world is- eventually you will find someone you do not work well with. Presenting this disconnect in a professional way could resolve issues rather than inflate them.
To avoid issues, be courteous in your approach.

The Vesume Group of MA 3:57PM March 19, 2012

Scott, the advice not to use another offer to get a counter-offer is actually worker-friendly advice, not management-friendly advice. Management usually wants the chance to make a counter offer -- if only to buy time while they find a replacement.
It's generally not in the employee's best interests to take a counter. There are a bunch of studies showing that people who accept a counteroffer are usually gone within a year — sometimes because the factors that caused them to start looking in the first place are still there (and the money was just a band-aid) and other times because the employer now puts them at the top of a list for cutbacks, if cutbacks are ever needed. Accepting a counter-offer tends to end badly over time.

Alison Green of DC 3:13PM March 19, 2012