Things to Avoid Doing When Talking to Coworkers, From Etiquette Coach

From spreading gossip to showing up late to meetings, employees often make subtle missteps when interacting with coworkers.

Although many of these mistakes aren’t meant to be rude, they can still affect a person’s reputation at work. With more and more companies requiring workers to return to the office, it may be time for a refresher on workplace etiquette.

That’s why Business Insider sat down with etiquette coach Mariah Grumet to learn about what to avoid when interacting with colleagues. Here’s what she said.

Don’t gossip with coworkers — no matter how close you think you are

In the moment, gossiping at work may seem like an opportunity to bond with coworkers. However, Grumet said it’s ultimately not an appropriate way to connect with others.

“We develop close relationships with many coworkers, but there is still that boundary that needs to be respected,” she told BI. “It’s inappropriate to spread any rumors about other people at the office.”

There are some topics that should be avoided in the workplace

“There are certain topics that should be reserved for places outside of work,” Grumet told BI. “We shouldn’t be bringing up anything too personal, such as religion, politics, personal health concerns, appearance — anything like that that might be crossing over that boundary.”

It’s important to remember that some issues may be sensitive for others, and therefore, inappropriate in a professional setting.

“Even if you have a close relationship with someone at work, you still need to remain professional with your communication,” Grumet said.

Don’t arrive late to meetings

It’s important to respect people’s time — and that starts with punctuality.

According to Grumet, being on time — whether you’re attending a meeting or holding one — is respectful and shows that you care about your work.

“Being punctual is a representation of your professional image,” Grumet said.

Refrain from making jokes at the expense of others

Grumet said it’s important to avoid poking fun at others, as you never know how a joke will be received.

“You can never be too careful with being respectful,” she told BI.

Even if humor is your preferred way to communicate, it’s important to be cautious of what you joke about in front of coworkers.

Pay attention to your body language when interacting with colleagues

In addition to what you do or say at work, it’s also important to be mindful of your body language when interacting with others.

“Even more so than the words that we say or the tone that we use, people are paying such close attention to body language,” Grumet said. “When you are communicating with coworkers, you want to make sure that your body language is supporting your message and not taking away from it or creating a disconnect.”

According to Grumet, some examples of ways to be conscientious of body language in the workplace include leaning forward in meetings to demonstrate when you’re listening or not having your arms crossed when someone is speaking to you.

This story was originally published on October 18, 2024, and most recently updated on January 8, 2025.