7 Unspoken Workplace Rules That Everyone Knows!

There's something very funny about culture. Whether or not someone tells you directly, you know when to speak, when to help, what not to wear and so forth. So much of what we do has been learned by simply being raised in a particular place and time. But all cultures are like that.

If you were to visit another country, you would immediately pick up on things that are different from the way you do them back home. When you ask a local about it, they just laugh and say, 'yeah we do that.'' It was an unspoken rule that you were the first person to voice. It can seem a bit funny when put into words.

Whether it's at home, as a guest at another's home, in the grocery store, at school or even at work there are things we are expected to know to do and expected to stay away from. Some of the worst situations arise when someone violates what others believe these unspoken rules to be.

In this article, we'll voice a few of these so-called rules. Some will seem funny, others ridiculous but true, and some maybe even surprising. Being able to take a bit of enjoyment for our quiet social norms allows us to zoom out a bit and to realize that we are all more alike than we think.

#1 If you didn't bring it, it ain't your lunch

Oh man, this one hurt to write and I'm sure to read as well, because we've all had it happen. We took the much-needed time to be responsible adults and cooked, then packed our lunch. We avoided spending money on fast food and thought ahead. You go on lunch break for that much desired bite of your dish and opening the fridge it is NOWHERE to be found. How rude.

Where did it go? Who was in here last? When was it taken? Who would do such a thing? It doesn't matter, you will never see it again (or your container) and you'll never know who did it.

It seems a bit contradictory to start the first rule off at something that is regularly violated, but we all know it, and yet every office has that mystery food thief.

#2 Don't schedule meetings near clock-in/clock-out times

Who wants to come to the office, put their bag down, then rush off to a meeting? First thing in the morning you have a bunch of cranky, tired, not-ready-to-be-here people.

Likewise, everyone, and I mean every employee in attendance to your 4 o'clock meeting, will be watching the clock to make sure they can get out of there on time.

The beginning hour of the work day is for easing in, checking emails, scratching yourself and grabbing a coffee. The closing hours are for getting those project details finalized, making sure all your ducks are in a row for the next day, and packing it in.

Violate this rule if you want the most unproductive meetings ever.

Oh yeah, and at the median lunch hour, the same applies.

#3 HR is not your friend

If you're upset HR people it's because you want to be a friend, but you have one main job: To protect the company and employees from each other.

We all need an office buddy. Studies show the positive benefits of having a workplace pal. Someone to vent to, gripe with (dare I say even gossip with), to help break the work day up a bit.

That being said. No matter how “chill” the HR person is, their job is to find and report violations, carry down higher-management objectives, try to get the company out of paying you workman's comp and, unfortunately, be the referee between negative employee actions.

It's a type of soft power.

Does this mean HR people are bad personally? Not at all.

But how easy is it to have lunch with Becky one day and the next day be called in her office to be warned about some complaints made against you.

HR has its place to protect employees and to make sure the company standards are up to snuff.

Tell me you trust the Superbowl ref who regularly dines in fancy hotels with one of the team's coaches.

#4 Do not, under any circumstances, reply all

You may have just shivered a bit because you've done it. But be comforted, most of the time it's not an intentional rule violation, but a HUGE mistake.

Your boss sent out a mass email, forwarded from upper management, and you wanted to reply snarky to him (because he gets it) but accidently send it to everyone.

No takesies-backsies.

What do you do? Do you follow up with an 'oops' email, or a 'JK'?

Your reputation is damaged there's nothing you can do.

But here's a hot tip for next time. Close that email completely. Open a new, blank email, type their address and message them directly.

Fail proof.

#5 If it's in an email or on the company messenger, it's evidence

I really hate for this to sound criminal, but I want to tell you a story.

My mother worked for years as a trainer and manager for insurance companies.

She would always come home and say to me: “Why does your generation (millennials) not think that we don't read their instant messages, emails and monitor their phone calls.”

She goes on to list all of the bad and gossipy things people say about their teammates, managers, company etc. Also, about how much time they spent doing these things.

It was almost like; they wanted to be out of a job.

I frankly don't know why this one isn't more well-known. Maybe it is a generational difference?

I assume everything I do is monitored, helps keep me on track!

Similarly, anonymous employee surveys aren't really anonymous - change my mind.

#6 Don't touch your coworkers

There is literally never a good enough reason.

#7 A.L.B. Always look busy

We all, absolutely do this and we don't know why.

Shuffling papers at the reception counter, typing emails, looking intently at our screen.

Always make it look like you're getting work done.

Why?

Because obviously, you will never complete your tasks and projects by getting up to get water, taking a screen break or standing to stretch your legs. Just can't happen.

A.L.B. ensures the company is getting what they paid for - 8 solid hours (minus breaks) of continual, unbroken, focused work. (Despite the stats)

Also, you wouldn't want them knowing that you can get everything done well and on time by taking microbreaks or letting your mind wonder for a few minutes.

If you look un-busy, they might give you more work!

Have you ditched the office completely in favor of avoiding social rules altogether? Check out “Tips for Working from Home.”