8 Technology Mistakes that Could Get You Fired

Table of Contents

1. Being Glued to Social Media
2. Making Lots of Personal Phone Calls
3. Searching for a New Job at Work
4. Taking Photos
5. Sharing Passwords and Login Credentials
6. CC-ing Everyone in Your Office
7. Recording Coworkers
8. Reading Emails That Weren’t Intended for You

Technology is a powerful tool, and when used wisely, it can help you be productive at work. But as with any tool, there’s a right and wrong way to use it. Making mistakes with technology is bound to irk your coworkers, and really egregious missteps can even get you fired. Stay on the safe side, and don’t do any of the following:

1. Being Glued to Social Media

Your attention should be on your job, not on a scrumptious brunch pic on Instagram. Repeatedly glancing at your phone detracts from guest service if you’re working front-of-house and hinders your productivity if you’re back-of-house. Wait until breaks to check updates. If the lure of social media is too hard to resist, delete Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram from your phone.

2. Making Lots of Personal Phone Calls

Talking on the phone makes it difficult for coworkers to get your attention and distracts you from the task at hand. Plus, it subjects everyone around you to a steady stream of personal chatter, which will aggravate your coworkers. You might also let slip some personal information your coworkers shouldn’t be privy to. Postpone phone calls until your break.

3. Searching for a New Job at Work

Browsing job sites or filling out applications at work can lead to awkward situations when your boss sees what you’re up to. You could find yourself switching jobs sooner than you expected if your boss realizes you’ve got a foot out the door and fires you. Pursue your job search at home after work, not while you’re on the clock.

4. Taking Photos

Taking a selfie usually seems harmless, but at work, it’s often not allowed. Many employers forbid or discourage taking photos because cameras could be used to spy on the competition or to plan a robbery. They can also violate guests’ privacy. If your boss asks you to take a group picture of your team at the holiday party, that’s fine. But don’t start snapping photos at your workplace without being instructed to by your employer.

5. Sharing Passwords and Login Credentials

When coworkers forget their passwords, it’s tempting to let them use yours. But beware: sharing a work password isn’t like letting a friend log on to your Netflix account. Sharing passwords at work can compromise security, give people access to data they weren’t authorized to view and make it difficult to keep accurate records, to name just a few of the bad effects. Tell coworkers they need to speak to the IT department about changing their password instead of sharing login information.

6. Cc-Ing Everyone in Your Office

It’s usually not the end of the world if you send one mass email to your coworkers, but people will get frustrated if you make a habit of cluttering their inboxes. Plus, you could find yourself cc-ing others without thinking about it and accidentally spreading sensitive information that was supposed to be kept under wraps. Take an extra minute or two to identify the people who need to be looped into a conversation, and direct your email only to them.

7. Recording Coworkers

Your phone might have a voice recording app, which can be a lifesaver when you need to take notes. But you shouldn’t use your phone’s recording capabilities to document your coworkers’ behavior. Some states don’t allow recording people without their permission, and aside from possible legal issues, this will reflect poorly on you. If you need to alert a supervisor to a coworker who’s causing trouble, speak to them about what’s going on and ask them to observe the situation for themselves. Don’t play Harriet the Spy.

8. Reading Emails That Weren’t Intended for You

It’s almost inevitable that a coworker’s going to accidentally forward you an email that wasn’t addressed to you, or you’ll stop by the printer and spot a message for someone else being printed out. In these cases, don’t keep reading! Viewing emails that weren’t supposed to go to you erodes trust and is unprofessional. If you’re not sure whether you’re the intended recipient, check with the sender first.