How to navigate the workplace as a newbie, from one Gen Z to another
A lady working on her desk in Nakuru city on January 3, 2023.
Adulthood and particularly office life, is guided by so many rules-spoken and unspoken.
Upon landing your first office job, your first months are full of so many mistakes due to ignorance.
As your fairy god-sister, I’m here to tell you how to navigate the office space.
When at the workplace, try NOT to:
1. Have romantic relationships with your workmates
You've just joined a new organization and your colleague looks a little too good.
In the movies, office romance seems exciting but kwa ground vitu ni different.
Imagine getting dumped by your workmate and the awkward situation of having to see them daily and act like everything is cool. Or, how hard it is to have to act like y'all aren't in love or attracted to each other. Worst case scenario, getting confronted publicly by a work-mate's significant other after you had an affair; aibu itakumaliza.
2. Overshare personal information
Remember, your office mates are just colleagues. Oversharing and especially as the office's new kid only gives fodder for gossip.
Take time to learn your colleagues before opening up. Get to know who's trustworthy and who isn't. Try as much as you can to keep your private affairs out of the office.
3. Get emotional
Kumbuka kazi ni kazi. Therefore, not every comment or correction thrown at you by your workmates warrants an emotional response.
Try keep your responses/demeanour professional and level headed always.
4. Over-commit yourself at work
This is a particularly hard one for over-achievers and workaholics. Give work you’re the best but don't over exert yourself or put yourself in harm's way for the company's sake; you can easily be replaced if anything was to happen to you.
When it's your rest or off day, kumbuka kutulia and fully unplug from work.
5. Make yourself too accessible
Don't make yourself too accessible to office gossip, drama or politics.
One thing about gossiping in the office, is that word always gets back to the person you were gossiping and this will only make you look bad.
6. Go to work high
If your workplace is a bit chill, it can be tempting to sneak in a cheeky couple of shots on a Friday. But I promise you, you aren't hiding your drunken state as well as you think you are.
Showing up to work high will put you in bad books with your boss or worse, result in a disciplinary case with the HR.
For those that have worked longer, what are other things NOT to do at the office?