Some bosses are great leaders, but others… not so much. In fact, it’s pretty common for people to dislike their bosses, leading them to bottle up their thoughts, which some day they dream of unleashing. However, that’s probably not the best idea, and here are the things you should never say to your boss, no matter how much you want to.
“I Need a Raise”
In general, requesting that your boss give you a raise without proper context or timing can seem rather inappropriate and entitled. If you do think you are due a raise, you should always schedule a meeting to discuss this in the context of your performance and achievements. You definitely shouldn’t just be casually bringing it up out of the blue.
“I Don’t Like My Colleague”
Another thing you should never say to your boss, no matter how tempting it is, is that you don’t like a particular colleague. Complaining about coworkers can create a negative work atmosphere, showing an inability to be patient and get along with other people.
“This Meeting Is a Waste of Time”
It should be pretty obvious that criticizing meetings in front of your boss will appear disrespectful. If you’re really not engaged with their meetings, suggest ways to make them more productive, offering constructive feedback that demonstrates your commitment to the company and respect for everyone’s time.
“That’s Not My Job”
Many people dream of reminding their boss that a certain task they’ve asked them to do isn’t part of their job description. However, that wouldn’t be wise; as Scarlet Ink points out, this shows a lack of leadership and willingness to help. Instead, show a willingness to help and consider discussing how best to allocate tasks. This demonstrates flexibility and teamwork while still showing your stance on the situation.
“I’m Bored”
It’s probably not the best idea to express your boredom at work to your boss, which will imply a lack of interest in your work. Rather than saying this outright, consider asking for more responsibilities or projects. This shows initiative and a desire to contribute more significantly rather than insulting the work, which could potentially get you fired.
“I Don’t Know How to Do That”
In most areas of life, there’s nothing wrong with admitting when you don’t know how to do something, but in the workplace, it could signal a lack of competence. Instead, explain that while you’re unfamiliar with this job, you’re eager to learn and ask for guidance or training. This portrays you as someone willing to grow and develop new skills, as opposed to someone who just doesn’t have the skills.
“I Have a Better Idea”
While it’s great to have ideas, presenting them tactfully is crucial. Outright claiming that your idea is the best is an easy way to seem overconfident and cocky. The better way to approach this situation would be to tell your boss that you have a suggestion, explain it thoughtfully, and encourage an open dialogue without undermining others.
“I’m Overqualified for This Job”
You’d be doing yourself a serious disservice if you declared to your boss that you’re overqualified. Not only can it come across as arrogant, but overqualification is not a trait that employers want in their employees. As a result, they might even fire you, searching instead for someone more suited to the role.
“That’s Not How We Used to Do It”
If you want to drive your boss crazy, go ahead and reference old methods of “how you used to do it.” They hate hearing this, as it makes an employee seem resistant to change. If you really think the old way was better, share your experience and suggest incorporating effective past strategies into new processes, blending respect for tradition with openness to innovation.
“Can I Leave Early?”
Sometimes, our bosses are kind enough to let us go home early, but outright requesting it crossed the line. It might give the impression that you’re not committed to the job, so instead, mention that you’ve completed all of your tasks and ask if there’s anything else you can assist with before considering leaving.
“I Didn’t Get That Email”
It’s never a good look to claim that you didn’t receive a certain email. Firstly, it could look like an excuse, and secondly, it may indicate that you’re not checking your emails thoroughly enough. Worse still, it also suggests that your boss forgot to include you on the email recipient list, which isn’t a wise accusation.
“I’m Just Here for the Paycheck”
Even if it’s true, telling your boss, “I’m just here for the paycheck,” is a stupid idea, as it shows a complete lack of passion and dedication to your job. If it’s really how you feel, you should consider discussing how you can make more meaningful contributions to the company, pointing out that you’re not getting enough out of the job.
“That’s Impossible”
Your boss is not going to like to hear the words “That’s impossible,” as it’s just discouraging, suggesting that you’ve given up before even considering your option. Instead, you should discuss the challenges that you are facing and at least consider the potential solutions. If they really don’t look possible, this will soon become clear in the discussion.
“You’re Wrong”
No boss is ever going to take nicely to the phrase “You’re wrong.” Even if it’s true, bluntly telling them how it is can be seen as confrontational, so just offer your perspective respectfully and present facts to support your view–there’s no need to be rude about it.
“I Can’t Work with Them”
If you tell your boss that you refuse to work with a certain colleague, that will seem very unprofessional. Instead, try to find common ground or discuss your concerns privately. Showing an effort to collaborate despite your differences, highlighting your ability to work in a team.
“I Need to Take This Call”
Sometimes, important calls appear while you’re at work, but it’s still not very polite to take them without permission, which can be seen as disrespectful. If it’s urgent, excuse yourself briefly and explain the situation, showing that you respect workplace norms and responsibilities. Better still, inform your boss ahead of time, and they’ll likely be completely fine with you taking it.
“That’s Not Fair”
Saying the phrase “That’s not fair” to your boss can seem quite childish, like you’re whining or having a tantrum. Be more mature, discussing your concerns calmly to figure out the reasoning behind decisions. Constructive dialogue will always lead to better understanding and resolutions.
“I Wasn’t Trained for This”
Similarly to “I’m overqualified for this,” telling your boss that you weren’t trained for a certain task could cause you problems. It might suggest you’re unprepared, and it will be particularly awkward if you were, in fact, trained for that situation, as it would show you clearly weren’t paying attention.
“I’m Not Interested in That Project”
Another thing you really shouldn’t say to your boss, even if you really want to, is refusing to take on a certain project. This can indicate a lack of enthusiasm as if it’s your job to pick and choose what elements of your job you want to do. Instead, consider expressing your interest in learning from the experience.
“Can This Wait Until Tomorrow?”
Perhaps the most stupid phrase to ask your boss is, “Can this wait until tomorrow?” suggesting that your work responsibilities just aren’t urgent to you. You should be prioritizing your workload, not putting it off. If you really need some extra time, ask if a delay is acceptable, showing that you respect deadlines and are mindful of the importance of tasks.