15 Things Your Boss Wishes You Knew About Megaprojects

01

20 Things You Should Never Say to Your Boss

Office culture has shifted a lot over the years. However, some workplace norms have remained unchanged throughout the decades — like the proper way to address your boss.

No matter what field you work in or how close you are to your superiors, there are certain topics and comments you should simply avoid when speaking to the boss.

Here are 20 things you should never say to your boss if you hope to advance your career and move beyond living paycheck to paycheck.

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1. I don’t get paid enough

There is a time and a place to ask for a raise. You should always be prepared with reasons why you deserve more money before heading into your boss’ office and demanding it.

Many of us have had frustrating days at work where we want to tell our employers they don’t pay us enough. But it is best not to make demands during such tense moments.

Success in asking for a raise is more likely if you have done your homework and can build a solid case for your request. And if your boss turns you down, remember that there are plenty of great ways to make additional money while you search for a better-paid job elsewhere.

2. I need to leave early for an interview

It’s fine to be on the hunt for better opportunities. If you have heard about the Great Resignation, you know that much of the workforce is doing that right now.

But your boss doesn’t need to know you are looking for a new job, particularly if you are making these moves on company time.

3. It’s not my fault

Even if it’s true, always dumping the blame for missteps onto other people can be a red flag for management.

Offering solutions or plans to avoid any issues in the future is a better option here and suggests you’re more of a team player. That is something managers across the board appreciate.

4. This is above my pay grade

Refusing to do a task because you don’t believe it’s part of your job description will not leave a good impression.

If you are really unsure about something you’ve been asked to complete, there are professional ways to resolve the uncertainty, such as requesting help from the appropriate department or asking your boss for some more clarification.

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5. Who did you vote for?

While it might seem like people are talking politics everywhere these days, these conversations can still cause rifts in the workplace.

In an effort to keep it professional with your boss and colleagues, it’s best to avoid outright asking who someone voted for or plans to vote for.

6. I’m not planning to stay here

You might think of your current job as a stepping stone, but this is another thing to keep to yourself.

When bosses know you have one foot out the door, they may not invest in you or feel comfortable assigning you potentially career-advancing tasks.

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7. I’m too smart to work here

Keep in mind that your boss works at your job, too, albeit in a higher position.

If you’re bragging about how you’re too smart to be working for the company, how do you think your boss and colleagues feel about your attitude?

8. I don’t know how

Plenty of employees feel at a loss when they begin a new job. When you don’t know the ins and outs of everyday tasks, it can feel overwhelming to learn all the little details.

However, telling your boss outright that you can’t do something will not look good. Instead, ask for some direction or consult a colleague who may be able to help.

9. I’m so bored

You don’t want your boss to think that you’re just sitting around on company time. Rather than expressing how bored you are, ask for another task.

Or, spend some time organizing your space or schedule until you’re given additional work.

10. I’m planning to call out sick

If you’re out of vacation time and really need another day off, the only PTO available may be a sick day. Telling your boss outright that you plan to use a sick day when you’re not ill may make them question whether you’re being dishonest every time you use a sick day.

11. I’m really hungover

On a related note, you don’t want to show up to work publicly complaining of a hangover either.

If you happen to indulge a bit too much during a weeknight out, make sure you come prepared with water, Advil, and whatever else you may need to get through a productive work day so management doesn’t begin to think of you as unreliable.

12. You’re wrong

Your boss may very well be wrong. After all, bosses are human too.

However, there is a professional way to go about pointing this out. Pulling your boss aside and noting that you noticed something that may be an error or emailing them personally — and backing up why you think they may be mistaken — will likely yield a much better response.

13. Admitting to being inflexible with scheduling

Flexibility is something managers appreciate. Saying you can never work past 5 p.m. or respond to an urgent email on a Saturday may come off as inflexible.

Of course, you should have boundaries when it comes to working, but both parties can (and should) be reasonable when it comes to scheduling.

14. Gossiping about a colleague

Gossiping in the workplace can lead to a hostile environment. It can result in issues that need to be handled by HR, and even job termination.

There are many aspects of your personal life that it’s best to not discuss on company time — and the same goes for aspects of your colleagues’ personal lives.

15. Can someone else handle this?

If you try to push off tasks you don’t want, your boss may begin to think you aren’t a team player, especially if it becomes a habit.

If you’re confused about an assignment, or you have too much on your plate, try asking for some clarification from your boss. Check if deadlines are flexible, or ask if any of your colleagues can help work with you.

16. Admitting to lying on a resume

Embellishing a bit on a resume is something many people do. But if you have claimed to possess skills or experience that you don’t actually have, don’t mention it to a boss.

Lying on a resume can be grounds for termination. And even if you just improved the truth a bit, it may make your employer think of you as untrustworthy.

17. Asking to leave early unnecessarily

Life happens, and we all have to cut out early sometimes. But it’s generally a good rule of thumb to give your boss some advance notice if you know you have some other obligation.

By giving them some warning, they can plan ahead for your absence. Also, avoid making it a habit.

18. Spreading office rumors

Maybe you heard through the grapevine that the company is speaking to buyers or that a colleague might be getting fired. No matter how juicy the gossip is, you don’t want to be caught spreading office rumors.

Doing so can lead to tension in the workplace, or give you a reputation for being untrustworthy.

19. I’ll get that done immediately

You may want to impress your boss by making it seem like you can complete tasks quickly and efficiently. However, it’s a safer bet to be realistic about how long projects may take.

If your boss is expecting to receive a report in an hour because you promised to deliver, but it takes you four hours, he or she may question your abilities in the future.

20. I heard so-and-so gets more money

As noted in the very first entry on this list, there is a right way to ask for more money.

If you know a colleague has the same job duties as you and makes more, that can be a part of your pitch for why you deserve a raise. However, these demands should still be thought through and executed at the right time.

Bottom line

While it’s great to feel comfortable and have open communication with your boss, there are still plenty of topics to keep off the table, no matter how close you are.

So, think before you speak. Doing so can help you avoid mistakes that can cost you money or derail your career.

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This article 20 Things You Should Never Say to Your Boss originally appeared on FinanceBuzz.

02

15 Things Your Real Estate Agent Won’t Tell You When You Want To Sell Your Home

We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Home. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

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Finding a great real estate agent should be a top priority when you’re planning to buy a new home. A good agent will guide you through the biggest financial transaction of your life. There are some things they can’t tell you or won’t tell you during the buying and home inspection process, though, so it’s important to do your homework ahead of time. Here’s everything you need to know.

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Explore Options 1. An Open House Might Help A Real Estate Agent More Than a Seller

It’s easy to block off a few hours for an open house to help sell your home, but really real estate agents use it as an opportunity to recruit new clients. It’s a good way for them to pass out a few business cards and talk with people who are likely casually shopping for a new home.

2. You Can Interview a Real Estate Agent

Often people will turn to real estate agents they know or use agents their friends or family have used, but it’s still important to interview them before settling on one. Some agents only do real estate as a side job, meaning they might not be as plugged into the market as someone who does it full-time. Ask about their relationships with title companies and home inspectors, though you might want to do your own research on both rather than rely on someone an agent routinely uses.

3. An Attorney Is Equally Important

Your attorney at closing provides an extra layer of protection. A good attorney will make closing smooth and limit any kind of exposure during a sale or a purchase.

4. You Can Request Multiple Showings

If you’re really interested in a house, it’s a good idea to view it at different times of the day. You can get a feel for the neighborhood and the neighbors’ routines by viewing a home multiple times. It might feel like you’re being difficult, but really you’re doing your homework.

5. Pre-Approval Should Be the First Step

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is always a good idea because not getting pre-approved can sink a potential sale. Pre-approval will help you know how much you can afford and which types of homes to seek. You can get multiple quotes for pre-approval, and that can help with your search to find the best rate.

6. They Can’t Answer Some Neighborhood Questions

Real estate agents can answer some questions about the neighborhood of a home you’re looking at, but the Fair Housing Act prohibits housing descrimination and real estate agents from answering questions about crime, religion, neighborhood economic status and local school district.

7. A Home is Not Necesarily an Investment

Your friends might talk about how their home has increased in value because the market has heated up, but many things go into the price of a home. While house flipping looks appealing on television, it’s not easy. A home can be a way to build wealth if you plan on owning the home at some point, but it’s not alwayst an investment. A home can appreciate over time, but those rates hover between 3% to 5%. Most financial advisors aren’t sending their clients into real estate investing with those rates.

8. Staging Matters

Home staging makes a difference, so much so that people specialize in it. While it’s tempting to clear out your home ahead of a sale, especially if you’ve already moved to a new place, it’s important to stage the space so buyers can visualize it better. They might not like how you arrange things, but it can start the conversation for them on how they want to decorate.

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Explore Options 9. Paying Over Asking Means Money Out of Your Pocket

If you’ve saved for a downpayment and plan on taking out a mortgage, the bank will lend you money for the appraised value of the home. However, in a competitive market where homes go for above asking, buyers may have to make up the difference with their own cash.

10. You Shouldn’t Expect to Recoup the Entire Cost of a Renovation

No home renovation necessarily recoups 100% of the cost on resale. You might be surprised, but a garage door replacement project is the best reno in terms of recouping the cost of the job. Home sellers can recoup 93.3% of the cost. Another big remodeling project, however, might recoup a little more than half of the cost on resale.

11. Agents Might Overprice a House

Getting a higher-than-expected price for your home feels good when a real estate agent prices your home. But there might be ulterior motives for that price. Some real estate agents overprice a house in order to secure the listing.

12. A Last-Minute Viewing Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

People who schedule last-minute viewings might exhibit more impulsive behavior and make a snap offer on your home rather than someone who’s more methodical in their planning.

13. You Shouldn’t Skip a Final Walkthrough

A final walkthrough of a prospective home might reveal things you didn’t spot when the home was staged. You can doublecheck repair work that got done prior to the sale and make sure that the things you agreed would remain in the house stay there.

14. Curb Appeal Applies to Your Neighbors, Too

Good fences make good neighbors, unless that fence happens to be a mess. A neighbor with an unkept yard can have an impact on your home’s sale when prospective buyers take their first look.

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15. Commission Is Negotiable

A real estate agent likely isn’t going to broadcast that their commission is negotiable. But in some cases, like when a dual agent is trying to secure a sale, it could be. Usually the seller pays real estate agent commissions, but if it’s an easy property to sell, an agent might lower their rate, even more so if it’s a high-priced property.

Getting a lower commission rate isn’t easy, though. A report by the Consumer Federation of America found that 73% of real estate agents wouldn’t lower their standard rate.

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03

The ten things your GP wishes you knew

Monday 29 August 11:04am

Dr Sara’s saving you a trip to the doctors by revealing the ten things your GP wishes you already knew. From whether or not you need to bring your child’s fever down, to if it’s really necessary to clean your ears, Dr Sara’s busting some health myths and telling you the things you should know when it comes to looking after yourself and your family.