5 Risks of Defying Workplace Rules
You’ve probably paid a penalty when you ran the risks of defying workplace rules in the past. It may have been a rule your boss made to keep you on-track and you learned a lesson from breaking it.
There are risks to every company rule you choose to break. But you may be the type who loves to defy them. Adrenaline rushes from rule breaking become addictive to some people.
If you don’t agree with certain rules of your work environment and plan to break them – maybe in your personal workspace, consider these five risks involved:
-
The risk of alienating people you need or feel more comfortable having work with you in your job
Think carefully about risks of defying workplace rules that can alienate you from the very people who could benefit you and whom you require. For example, if you go against your company culture or unwritten rules, you may cause workforce concern. Weigh the benefits and then act accordingly.
-
Lose your job
Some rule-breaking may result in the loss of your job or position in a company. For instance, when you insist that you can work from home and get more done. This may alienate other coworkers who commute to and from work each day. You may also miss out on valuable one-on-one time with your boss or others important to your job.
-
Expressing your opinion
Standing up for your values can be a risk that gives you great satisfaction and can boost your self-esteem. It may also alienate you from a close coworker – or group of peers. Beware of the consequences of your words and then do the right thing.
-
Unqualified for the job you’re in
It’s possible you landed your position by promising that you are a fast learner and meet all expectations required of you. At some point, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of work or learning process that you didn’t expect. Know what you’re getting into before leaping into a job you’re not qualified for.
-
Not taking yourself seriously
This rule needs to strike an equal balance. It doesn’t pay when you take yourself too seriously. You run the risk of other staff members perceiving you as pompous and a “know it all.” You must find the balance between being serious at times that require it and having fun at appropriate times. But if you don’t, other workers or those you supervise may never see you as the authority figure you want to be.
Summary
Risks of defying workplace rules can have a negative impact on some areas of your job or even in your entire career that you may not expect. Study the pros and cons of a rule before you decide to break it and then act in your best interest.