HR expert reveals the biggest mistakes you can make at work - and how to avoid them
- HR professional Valerie Rodriguez, 31, has seen her share of workplace scandals
- She has now come up with three things to avoid at all costs in the workplace
- But are you guilty of committing any of these HR no gos?
A human resources expert has broken down the three things she avoids at all costs in professional settings.
New Jersey-based human resources worker Valerie Rodriguez, 31, has seen her share of workplace scandals over her 10 years in the field.
She recently opened up to Business Insider about behaviors that she would never condone when it comes to interacting with colleagues.
First up, no oversharing about your personal life to coworkers - not even your so-called workplace bestie - no matter how mundane the topic seems.
Valerie Rodriguez's first top tip was to avoid oversharing about your personal life to coworkers - not even your so-called workplace bestie - no matter how mundane the topic seems (stock image)
She explained that even colleagues who don't have ill will toward you can unintentionally bring up what they've learned about your problems in a way that could change people's perceptions of you, even slightly.
The 31-year-old has a decade of experience in human resources
In short: 'Oversharing at work often does more harm than good because it allows people to make assumptions or decisions for you; even if it does come from a caring place, it's not a good idea,' she stated.
For instance, a long time ago, she'd casually admitted to a coworker that she was having car troubles.
A couple months later, she was being considered for an opportunity with more responsibilities - but part of the scope of the position involved extra car travel.
'When my manager sat down with me, he mentioned he had heard about my car issues and expressed concern about me getting "stuck." As a result, the job opportunity wasn't given to me,' she recounted with disappointment.
'I was so bummed out, and I felt burned. It made me realize I shouldn't share things in my personal life with those I work with, as it gives people the opportunity to weigh in and make decisions for me,' she described of the rationale.
Second, ditch humility when it comes to work environments.
'I've learned not to be too humble when it comes to the workplace,' she described.
Second, she advised employees to either ditch their humility in the workplace - or risk getting left behind on the corporate ladder (stock image)
That's not to say being 'cocky' or being 'a jerk' is ever okay, she added. 'That won't get you very far, either.'
'I believe you can be kind and empathetic, but at the same time, you can't let people step all over you, and you shouldn't put yourself last in comparison to others.'
She has observed over the years that the most successful people will 'be direct' and 'more vocal' about what they've accomplished - whereas 'humble people' don't as much, and thereby have been more likely to get passed up for promotions and other opportunities for advancement.
'I myself was once a big believer that my work would speak for itself, but I've since learned that if you don't advocate for yourself, no one else will,' she stated.
Last but not least, Valerie insisted that there's never a reason to stay more than an hour or two at work functions.
Being in HR, she's generally required to stay until the end of any events - and has seen some less-than-savory interactions among employees.
As a rule of thumb, nothing good ever comes about from coworkers partying together until the wee hours.
It's often the alcohol, she added - though it can also be sober employees making 'poor decisions.'
'I say, swing by, spend some time at the party, and show your face, but hanging around longer than a couple of hours doesn't always serve a good purpose,' she concluded.
