10 Things not to share with your co-workers

1. Salary information
What you earn is between you and Human Resources. Disclosure indicates you aren’t capable of keeping a confidence. Yor salary is not your own information, release of your salary information will cause problem for other employees.

2. Medical history
“Nobody really cares about your aches and pains, your latest operation, your infertility woes or the contents of your medicine cabinet.”  To your employer, your constant medical issues make you seem like an expensive, high-risk employee.

3. Gossip
Whomever you’re gossiping with will undoubtedly tell others what you said. Plus, if a co-worker is gossiping with you, most likely he or she will gossip about you.

4. Work complaints
Constant complaints about your workload, stress levels or the company will quickly make you the kind of person who never gets invited to lunch. If you don’t agree with company policies and procedures, address it through official channels or move on.

5. Politics or religion, race issue are no no at work
“People have strong, passionate views on both topics.” You may alienate a co-worker or be viewed negatively in a way that could impact your career.

6. Your personal life.
* Breakups, divorces and baby-making plans should be shared only if there is a need to know. Otherwise, others will speak for your capabilities, desires and limitations on availability, whether there is any truth to their assumptions or not.
* Don’t share intimate details about your personal life.
* Don'y want others speculating on the lifestyle you’re living –or if you’re living beyond your salary bracket.

7. Blogs or social networking profile
What you say in a social networking community or in your personal blog may be even more damaging than what you say in person. “Comments online can be seen by multiple eyes. An outburst of anger when you are having a bad day … can blow up in your face.”

8. Negative views of colleagues
If you don’t agree with a co-worker’s lifestyle, wardrobe or professional abilities, confront that person privately or keep it to yourself. The workplace is not the venue for controversy.

9. Never get your honey where you get your money. Office romances lead to gossip and broken hearts, so it’s best to steer clear.

10. Off-color or racially charged comments
You can assume your co-worker wouldn’t be offended or would think something is funny, but you might be wrong. Never take that risk. Furthermore, even if you know for certain your colleague wouldn’t mind your comment, don’t talk about it at work. Others can easily overhear.