13 Awkward Things to Avoid in Front of Your Boss

Easier said than done — considering those who would say something tasteless or act out of line are too often ignorant of their actions. Educate yourself to keep up to date on social expectations — become aware through the right reads, workshops and conversations with people who know more than you.

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You're being paid to be productive, so no matter how exhausted you are or however dull the work is, maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude, especially when the boss is around. If you are actually getting bored — stimulate your brain by showing initiative. Think: Asking for fresh challenges, more responsibilities or get yourself on a new project.

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No matter how creative you think you are with coming up with a reason for not finishing an assignment (the dog ate your homework?) or showing up late yet again (can't drive when it's raining), remember, they're the boss for a reason. They've probably seen and heard everything so treat them with respect, and either fix the issue (that's clearly on you) or if need be, sit down with them and discuss together how you can better manage your time.

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Everyone has issues in their personal life but you turn to family and/or friends for support — not your boss. Their needs — and your work — shouldn't be put on hold, and whatever you're going through should never come at the expense of professionalism.

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No matter how friendly you are with your with your boss, it's almost never appropriate to talk about the one-night stand you still regret (four days later), or what you and your person do in the bedroom. Your employer pays you for your experience and your skills; reserve your late-night tales for when you're off the clock.

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Even if your boss says something that you view as unintelligent, never call them out on it in front of your colleagues. Openly criticizing them is just a bad move all around. Remember, they're the gatekeeper of your future success at this company — you don't want to put that at risk.

Don't recommend a friend for a job, just for the sake of a friendship. This is your reputation on the line so if they don't have what it takes, that puts you in a bad light, resulting in your judgment being questioned.

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Don't mistake closeness with a boss for an excuse to freely talk about the fun you had the night before. Your boss is still your boss, and they determine how far ahead you get in your position. Even if you are friendly, less-than-stellar appearances and frequent late arrivals could have them questioning how your wild times are related.

Never mention your financial woes. If we're being honest, no one ever seems to have enough money and everyone has bills to pay. But, if you think you deserve a raise, by all means, set up a meeting with your boss to discuss it and be armed with all kinds of proof that can't be denied.

If you need to leave early for an appointment, or even need an entire day off, that's one thing. But you should never ask your boss to be spared because of something that's, frankly, ridiculous. Sure, how you use your vacation days is up to you but bosses appreciate genuine reasons for their employees taking time off.

That saying about faking it until you make it can only get you so far. It's always OK to ask questions (as long as you doesn't happen too frequently and you get mistaken for The Riddler). Ask for direction on how to get a project started, see if there are colleagues who can help you out, maybe even a webinar you could follow. That shows an eagerness to learn without appearing clueless.

If ever there's a problem between you and a colleague, don't go on the offensive. Attacking others' reputations and throwing co-workers under the bus is a bad look — no matter how right you are. Never deliberately set your coworkers up for failure and humiliation. If your boss sees that you’re frequently pointing the finger at others, you'll be labelled the one with the bad attitude no one wants to collaborate with.

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Employers can typically sense if their staff is unhappy so they'll have suspicions when people are job-hunting. But there's a big difference between you looking for a new gig and your boss knowing about it. While it would be cool if it could be discussed and you could have their blessing — but let's be honest, this puts your boss in a super awkward position. Sadly, you're best to keep it under wraps until you hand in a resignation letter and your two weeks notice.

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