Modern workplaces might look and feel different from the stiff, suit-and-tie offices of decades past. You might be greeted by beanbags instead of cubicles, and meetings might happen over video calls rather than in boardrooms. But no matter how relaxed the vibe, one thing remains true: boundaries exist.
These boundaries aren’t just for show. They’re there to keep things professional, productive, and pleasant for everyone involved. While some rules are obvious—like not yelling at your boss—others are more subtle. Break them often enough, and you’ll end up in HR’s office for “a chat.”
Below are 18 things HR professionals strongly advise against. Some might seem harmless, but each has a way of creating drama, tension, or a one-way ticket to career trouble.
1. Gossiping About Coworkers
It may start as an innocent, “Did you hear what happened with…?” but gossip spreads in an office like coffee smell in the morning—quickly and to every corner. While it might feel like harmless chit-chat, gossip often gets distorted along the way, turning into rumors that hurt reputations.
Even if you’re talking outside work hours, it has a way of sneaking back into the office. And when HR is tasked with cleaning up the fallout, the people involved rarely walk away unscathed.
Better choice: Keep conversations professional, or if you’re curious about something, ask the person directly in a respectful way.
2. Oversharing Personal Problems
We all have personal lives, and occasional venting is normal. But unloading every detail of your relationship issues, family drama, or financial struggles onto colleagues can be exhausting for them and uncomfortable for you later.
Coworkers aren’t trained therapists, and constant oversharing can make people avoid you—not because they don’t care, but because it’s emotionally draining. HR might even get complaints if people feel uncomfortable.
Better choice: Share selectively. Build friendships at work, but save deeper personal matters for trusted friends or actual therapists.
3. Running Your Side Hustle on Company Time
The internet makes it easy to multitask, but if you’re using work hours to build your personal brand, edit videos, or respond to freelance clients, you’re on thin ice.
Employers notice when your “lunch break” magically stretches into a full afternoon, and it’s not hard to spot someone who’s juggling non-work tasks while ignoring company projects. This isn’t just frowned upon—it’s often a fireable offense.
Better choice: Keep personal business outside work hours or get clear approval if you’re doing something that could overlap.
Read more: Social Rules That Make No Sense And Actually Make Life Worse — Yet We Obey Them Anyway
4. Flirting at the Office
Workplace crushes happen, but expressing them can be risky. What you intend as playful banter could be interpreted as unwanted attention. Even a single misunderstood comment can lead to a complaint.
Today’s workplace policies are stricter than ever, and HR departments take these matters seriously. The risk isn’t worth the potential awkwardness—or worse, legal trouble.
Better choice: Keep all interactions respectful and professional. If there’s mutual interest, handle it privately and respectfully, outside of work.
5. Disrespecting Shared Spaces
Leaving dirty dishes in the office kitchen, forgetting food in the communal fridge until it grows a new ecosystem, or treating the break room like your personal lounge all send the message that you don’t respect your coworkers.
Even seemingly minor things—like hogging the printer for 45 minutes or using the meeting room without booking it—can spark quiet resentment. HR often gets pulled into conflicts that start with something as small as “someone keeps leaving their tea bags in the sink.”
Better choice: Clean up after yourself and be mindful of shared resources.
6. Complaining About Your Job Online
You may feel safe venting to your 50 Instagram followers, but remember: screenshots exist. A sarcastic post about your boss or a snide remark about a project can—and often does—make its way back to management.
Once trust is broken, even if you keep your job, you might find yourself excluded from opportunities. HR can’t easily “unsee” your public rants.
Better choice: If you must vent, do it privately, offline, and with someone you trust.
7. Taking Credit for Others’ Work
If you’ve ever had your effort stolen, you know how infuriating it is. Claiming someone else’s achievements not only damages your credibility but poisons team dynamics.
Once resentment builds, HR is almost guaranteed to be pulled in. And when it becomes a “your word vs. theirs” situation, you risk losing both trust and allies.
Better choice: Give credit openly. It builds respect and strengthens your professional reputation.
8. Lying on Your Resume or About Your Skills
Exaggerating might get you the job, but it won’t keep you there. Eventually, people will notice when you can’t deliver on what you promised.
Some companies even run post-hire verifications, and failing those can end your employment abruptly. Beyond that, being caught in a lie damages your personal brand in your industry.
Better choice: Be honest about your skills. Confidence is valuable, but honesty earns lasting respect.
9. Coming to Work Sick Without Warning
Dragging yourself to the office with a fever isn’t dedication—it’s endangering others. You could spark an office-wide illness, tanking productivity and putting HR in crisis mode.
Better choice: Stay home and inform your manager immediately. Most companies would rather deal with short-term absence than a widespread outbreak.
10. Ignoring Company Policies
Employee handbooks aren’t thrilling reads, but they outline rules that protect both you and the company. Skipping over them means you may unintentionally break important guidelines.
When things go wrong, HR doesn’t take “I didn’t know” as an excuse.
Better choice: At least skim through the handbook during onboarding and keep it for reference.
11. Overindulging at Work Events
Work happy hours can feel casual, but they’re still work-adjacent. Alcohol lowers inhibitions, and what feels like a harmless joke at the bar could become tomorrow’s HR meeting.
Many careers have been derailed by “just one more drink.”
Better choice: Pace yourself. Socialize without crossing into sloppy territory.
Read more: People Who Look A Lot Younger Than They Really Are Usually Do These 10 Things
12. Dodging Responsibilities
Missing a deadline occasionally is human. Disappearing when you’re needed most is career suicide. Teams rely on each other, and when you vanish, they notice—and so does HR.
Better choice: If you’re overwhelmed, communicate early so adjustments can be made.
13. Talking Politics
Even when coworkers seem to agree with you, political debates can sour quickly. Strong opinions often clash, and workplace disagreements can get deeply personal.
Better choice: Keep political discussions outside work to maintain harmony.
14. Dressing Inappropriately
Yes, many offices have relaxed dress codes. No, that doesn’t mean anything goes. Overly revealing clothing or offensive slogans can result in complaints.
Better choice: Dress for the job you have (or want). Comfort and professionalism can coexist.
15. Using Aggressive Language or Tone
You don’t need to shout to come across as harsh. A curt email, sarcastic remark, or impatient tone can leave lasting bad impressions.
HR often hears about “tone” before they hear about actual disputes.
Better choice: Use respectful, clear communication—even when stressed.
16. Mentally Checking Out
You might be physically present, but if you’ve stopped engaging, people will notice. Slow work, missed details, and a lack of participation are all red flags.
Better choice: If you’re feeling disengaged, address the issue—don’t silently fade away.
17. Spreading Negativity
We all have bad days. But constant complaining turns you into the office raincloud. Morale drops, and productivity follows.
Better choice: Vent occasionally, but also contribute positively to the workplace atmosphere.
18. Forgetting Basic Courtesy
Sometimes it’s not the action itself but the delivery. Skipping “please” and “thank you,” ignoring messages, or showing up late without notice can rub people the wrong way.
Better choice: Courtesy costs nothing but pays off in goodwill.
Read more: Psychology Says Preferring Texts Over Calls Reveals These 10 Personality Traits
The Takeaway
Workplaces thrive on professionalism, respect, and communication. While it’s easy to think rules don’t matter as much in a casual environment, the truth is that boundaries matter more than ever.
You don’t have to walk on eggshells—just remember that every action (and inaction) sends a message. Stay mindful, stay respectful, and you’ll not only avoid HR’s “we need to talk” conversations—you’ll also build a solid, trustworthy reputation that opens doors instead of closing them.
