These 10 Unprofessional Habits Could Get You Canned

Nancy Anderson
Posted by in Career Advice


Your professional image is the foundation of your success at work. No matter how well you perform in your position, undermining that professional image with bad habits is going to reduce your chances of promotion and possibly result in you getting fired. Here is a list of common bad habits to get under control if you want to improve your career success.

1. Lying

Maybe you call it exaggerating or stretching the truth, but even little white lies can erode your company's trust in you. If you have the bad habit of not being 100 percent truthful, learn to stick to the facts to build trust and keep your job.

2. Stealing

You probably know that it is wrong to embezzle funds, but maybe you think it is fine to bring home office supplies or help yourself to others' food in the break room. Remember that these acts are stealing too, and if your co-workers take notice, you may find yourself without a job.

3. Swearing

Even if you spend most of your work time alone in your office, it is not professional to swear on the job. Learning to curb this bad habit shows your co-workers and boss that you have restraint and know how to behave professionally.

4. Impoliteness

Practice saying "please" and "thank you" whenever it is appropriate to anyone you come into contact with during your time at work. Use your best table manners during lunch meetings, and always excuse yourself if you bump into someone. An occasional oversight may be forgotten, but a bad habit of impoliteness could cost you clients and eventually lead to you getting fired.

5. Bad Grammar

Make every work email a professional email. Spend extra time checking your grammar when corresponding with clients. If your oral or written communication regularly suffers from bad grammar, consider some coaching.

6. Complaining

No one wants to work with a chronic complainer. It's acceptable to occasionally express dissatisfaction, but a bad habit of being negative is unpleasant for everyone you interact with.

7. Chronic Lateness

Chronic lateness is a sign of disrespect that only looks worse over time. Get to work on time, even if it seems that no one else does. Show up at meetings five minutes early so that you are seated and ready to go at the designated time.

8. Oversharing

Not everyone wants to hear the details of your personal life. Keep this information private. If you develop a friendship with a co-worker, save personal discussions for your own time.

9. Poor Hygiene

Dress appropriately for your position in clean clothes every day. Take regular showers, and make sure that you smell clean without using heavily scented products. Brush your teeth in the morning. Basic cleanliness is essential to a pleasant workplace, and a habit of slovenliness could lead to you being canned.

10. Drama

Drama has no place in the work environment, and company leaders frown upon gossip. Avoid talking negatively about your co-workers or boss behind their backs, and learn to shut down those types of conversations when you hear them.

Take time to recognize your bad habits and work diligently to improve in those areas. Try substituting positive traits for your previous areas of weakness to improve your standing at work and help you keep your job.


Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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  • Carolyn Turner-Cook
    Carolyn Turner-Cook

    Yes always be polite to everyone

  • Barbara G.
    Barbara G.

    We all should know how to behave professionally, but it helps to be reminded.

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