5 Things You Should Never Tell Your Coworkers
READING TIME - 5 MINUTES
We've all been there—sitting in the break room, chatting with coworkers, or maybe just exchanging small talk over email or Slack.
It feels good to share your thoughts, but sometimes, certain things are best kept to yourself.
When it comes to the workplace, oversharing can lead to misunderstandings or even damage your professional reputation.
Today, I'll tell you the five things you should never share with your coworkers and why keeping these under wraps will help you thrive at work.
Why Should You Care About This?
Navigating relationships at work is a balancing act.
It’s important to be friendly, approachable, and open to collaboration.
But there’s a line between being friendly and being an open book.
Keeping your professional image intact while fostering good relationships is key to moving ahead in your career.
Sharing too much or the wrong thing can quickly make you seem unprofessional or unreliable—neither of which will help you reach your career goals.
Unfortunately, many people learn this the hard way.
It’s not until they’ve faced awkward situations or career setbacks that they realize some things should never have been shared.
I’ve seen people lose respect, trust, or even job opportunities because they made these mistakes.
But today, I want to help you avoid all that with these five rules.
First Rule: Your Salary or Financial Complaints
Talking about how much you make, or worse, complaining about your salary, can create an uncomfortable environment.
Sharing salary information can lead to resentment, jealousy, and conflicts among coworkers.
Keep these discussions out of the workplace.
If you need to negotiate or discuss your salary, do it with your manager or HR—not with your peers.
Second Rule: Your Personal Problems in Detail
We all face challenges outside of work—relationship issues, family drama, financial worries.
But, going into detail about your personal problems can make coworkers uncomfortable or feel burdened.
Plus, it can change the way people perceive you at work.
You want to be seen as reliable and composed, not someone who’s always struggling or distracted.
It’s okay to share that you're having a tough day, but keep the details private.
Third Rule: Negative Opinions About Your Boss or Company
It might be tempting to vent about your manager or express frustrations with company decisions, but sharing negative opinions can backfire in a big way.
You never know who might repeat what you say or how it could get back to your boss.
Even if you think you're talking to someone you trust, it’s always better to keep these thoughts to yourself.
If you have a genuine concern, bring it up in a constructive way with your manager or HR.
Fourth Rule: Your Job Search Plans
If you’re looking for a new job, don’t broadcast it to your coworkers.
It can create tension, make people question your commitment, and even jeopardize your current role if it gets back to your boss. Keep your job search private until you’re ready to formally resign.
If you need references, carefully choose people you can trust and approach them discreetly.
Fifth Rule: Gossip About Other Coworkers
Gossip can be incredibly damaging in a professional environment.
Even if it starts as a harmless discussion, gossip often snowballs and ends up causing harm.
If you talk about someone behind their back, people might see you as untrustworthy and question whether you’ll do the same to them.
Avoid getting involved in office drama, and always aim to build others up rather than tear them down.
Here is a big one: If you have a side hustle, keep it to yourself.
I made this mistake early in my career, and it came back to bite me.
Even though I was a top performer, my employer questioned my loyalty.
It’s easy for others to misconstrue your side hustle as a lack of commitment to your primary job, so keep that information private unless it’s directly relevant or permissible to share.
How to Move Forward?
The workplace is a community; building positive relationships is essential to career success.
But remember, there’s a difference between being friendly and being overly familiar.
Keep these five things to yourself, and you’ll avoid many potential pitfalls.
Focus on building trust, maintaining your professionalism, and fostering genuine, positive connections with your coworkers.
Ready to take control of how you’re perceived at work?
Start practicing these rules today and watch how much easier it becomes to build respect and credibility.
What do you think—are there any other things you've learned to keep private in the workplace?