Starting a new job soon? Congratulations! But before we help you decide your work wardrobe, here are some tips on surviving office. This list of workplace rules to follow and things that you should never do at work will help you get along well with your colleagues AND your boss will stand you in good stead. So read carefully!
1. Avoid Talking Loudly
Since your office is a place of work, where other people probably need peace and quiet to concentrate, talking loudly is bad etiquette. If you must discuss something, make sure that your decibel levels remains acceptable to the people around you. Also make sure that you take your personal phone calls outside. We’re pretty sure your colleagues don’t need to hear the shouting match you’re having with your landlord!
2. Don’t Fail To Respect Others’ Time
If your colleague is waiting for you to finish something, prioritize it. Time management is extremely important, especially if the work of other people depends on what you have to complete. So make sure you create a timetable, organize your work and stick to it! 
3. Lies Are A BAD Idea
This is a big NO. Never, ever lie to dig yourself out of a hole. If you have made mistakes, apologize, try to fix the mistake and move on. But lying to get out of something or to make yourself look good, especially at work, is just about the worst thing you can do. And you certainly wouldn’t want to face the consequences of what would happen if your lie were to come out!
4. Stay Away From Gossip Or Backstabbing
You ideally shouldn’t do this anywhere, but gossiping in the office can be extremely unprofessional. Not only is it unprofessional, it can also create an unpleasant environment at work. Even if you have a lot of complaints, be upfront about them and talk to the person you have a problem with, not to other people about them! 
5. Do NOT Engage In Office Politics
Office politics exists everywhere, but that doesn’t mean you have to take part in it! As far as possible, isolate yourself from creating conspiracies, pulling your colleagues down, taking credit for their work and so on. It only demonstrates bad work ethic and can go against you. So mind your own business and work diligently! Also read: 9 Career Paths If You’ve Done English Hons (Not Just Teaching!)
6. Never Refuse To Help
If your co-workers want your help, don’t turn them down. Sharing the workload is part and parcel of work life. We are not suggesting that you let everyone heap their work on you, but don’t turn down a request for help either. After all, you might be in their shoes some day, and you don’t want them not helping you! 
7. Don’t Show Up Drunk/ Hungover!
Woke up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy? Stay at home. It is extremely unprofessional to show up at work when you still look devastated from last night. Keep your partying for the weekends if you know you won’t be able to focus on work the next day.
8. Becoming The Boss’s Pet Does Not Help
Your classmates didn’t like you then when you acted like the teacher’s pet, and your co-workers won’t like you now when you act like the boss’s pet. Buttering up to your seniors may seem like an easy way to do less work and climb the ladder of success quickly, but it is unprofessional and, well, it makes you unlikeable. Also, it doesn’t really work! 
9. Keep Confidential Information… Confidential!
You may be privy to office secrets, but that doesn’t give you the right to make them office gossip. If you have access to private or sensitive information, make sure that you’re discreet about it. Also read: 10 Career Options If You’ve Studied Commerce (Not Just CA!)
10. Observe Email Etiquette Please!
Sure, that email with cat GIFs is really funny, but is it appropriate to forward it to your boss? Keep professional communication professional use and follow proper email etiquette while working. This means not cc-ing people unnecessarily and using proper language in official emails, amongst other things. 
GIFs: Tumblr, Giphy
