Work World Dangerous Ground (Page 1 of 2)	
Work World Dangerous Ground
A worker’s positive attitude and actions leads to success and promotions.  But, w
hen a worker walks on 
dangerous grounds, an explosion of emotions, conflict, and termination (firing) may happen.   What are the 
dangerous grounds on which some workers choose to walk upon while at a j
ob?  This lesson covers four: 
gossiping, complaining, socializing, and not listening.
GOSSIPING
Gossiping is talking about another person without that person's 
permission, or talking badly about a work situation.  Other ways to 
describe gossip are — spreading rumors and tattling.  Gossip is 
information that is negative or malicious (intending to do harm).  
Gossipers, and workers who listen to gossip, are walking on dangerous 
ground that may explode and cause conflicts, and get someone fired.
Avoid gossip:  1) Do not spend time talking to gossipers.  Keep it short and polite, then
 move on: "Good 
morning," "Have a great day," "Nice to see you."   2) If caught in conversation that turns to gossip, leave 
by saying, "I’ve got to go now," "Got to make a call," or "I have a lot of work to do now."  3) Change the 
subject by saying, "We cannot do much about that.  What can we do to make things better?"  If the gossip 
continues, politely make an excuse and leave.   4) If you need help to deal with gossipers at work, talk to a 
trusted friend or adult NOT connected to your job.   5) If you just need to talk to get rid of negative feelings 
about the gossiper,  talk to your dog, cat, or goldfish until you purge (get rid of) 
the negative feelings.  
COMPLAINING
Complaining is saying that you are unhappy with something at work.  Other 
words for complaining are gripe, whine, grumble, fuss, and protest.  There will 
be problems in the workplace (as well as in your life).  Complaining is only hot 
air and will not help to solve a problem.   Complaining makes you feel worse, 
makes others feel worse, takes energy, gives your attitude a negative reputation.  
Everyone needs to talk about problems to find solutions,  and that is not 
complaining.  To talk about your problems:  1) Take time to think and make a 
list of what you can do to solve the problem.  2) Find a trusted friend, adult, 
school counselor, or church leader that will listen and help you think of 
solutions.  If there are no solutions to your work problem, then accept it, look 
for another job, or ask your supervisor for a transfer to another department or 
work shift.  Never confide (tell your secrets and problems) to a coworker because that coworker may betray 
your trust (tell everyone) to try to make you look bad, just to prevent you from getting that raise or 
promotion you deserve.  Remember — not everyone at work wants the best for you.  Be careful always.
SOCIALIZING
Socializing is talking and building relationships with other people. Other words to describe socializing are 
gathering, celebrating, meeting, mingling, and hobnobbing.  Correct soci
alizing is a human relations skill.

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QUICK CHECK:
1. a) To what does a worker's positive attitude 
and actions lead?   b)  When a worker walks on 
dangerous ground, what may happen?
2.  What is gossiping?  
3.  List other ways to describe gossip.  
4.	 Define	"malicious."		
5.  a) List 4 ways to avoid gossip.  b) Which of 
these 4 ways will you use to avoid gossiping?
6.  What is complaining?
7.  List 5 other words to describe complaining.
8.  Complaining does what 4 things?
9.  What is not complaining? 
10.  List 2 things to do to talk out problems.
11.  What 3 things can you do if there are no 
  solutions to your work world problem?
13.	 a)	Define	"confide."		b)	 Why	do	you	not	confide	
to a coworker?
14.  What is socializing? 15. 
List 5 other words to describe socializing.
16.  a) Do employers value correct socializing skill?  
b)  But not when? 
17.  When do you never chit-chat with coworkers?
18.  a) List 4 safe subjects.  b) List 2 topics to avoid.
19.  Listening is what 2 things?
20.  Supervisors like workers who do what 2 things?
21.  When do you show respect?
22.  At what should you not look at or answer while 
  someone is talking to you?
23.  a) Give an example of negative face language.
  b) Describe positive body language.
24.  What may listening skills earn you?  
25.  Pretend you are manager of a skate board shop. 
  What would you say to a worker who gossips 
about others, complains about your store, 
  socializes and ignores customers, and does not 
listen to you?  b) Do you think you need to talk 
to the other workers also?  c) Why or why not?
Employers value the skill of correct socializing skills since it makes the work day fun.  But, when 
socializing takes workers away from the job and customers, employers will punish socializing.   Rules for 
correct socializing include:  1) Never chit-chat with coworkers when there is work to do, or customers to 
serve.  2) Stick to safe subjects during social talk —weather, positive news events, upcoming holidays, and 
new technology gadgets.  3) Do not start discussions at work about politics, religion, sex, or gossip.
NOT LISTENING
Listening is:  1) Giving your attention to a sound or person. 
2) Answering a question or comment with a positive attitude.  
Other words to describe listen include: attention, concentrate, keep 
ears open, take notice, and hear.  
Supervisors like workers who:  1) Give attention  to the talker's 
voice and make eye contact.  2)  Give positive reply to the talker's 
advice or request.  Talkers include supervisors, coworkers and 
customers.  You show respect to the talker when you listen.  
Damage is done to your listening skill reputation by:  1) Looking at your smart phone, answering a call, 
or texting while someone is talking to you or while in a meeting.  2) Using negative face and body 
language while listening such as a yawn or impatient moves — fidget, frown, finger or toe tapping.  
Positive body language while listening include: eye contact with talker , calmness, and "I'm with you"
comments" — such as —  uh huh, mmmm, yes, nod your head, ask good questions.   Listening skills will 
earn you raises and promotions, and help you become a supervisor or manager in the future.