Top 8+ common things you do at work that could actually land you in trouble

In 2025, Statista revealed approximately 3.6 billion people are employed worldwide. Whether it's a 9-5 office job, a role in the public sector, or a seasonal gig, there's such a thing as work etiquette that all employees have to adhere to. Common examples of this include turning up on time, wearing appropriate clothing, and being professional. But what if we told you there are plenty of things people do at work on the regular that could actually land you in hot water? So, to avoid any awkward run-ins with your boss, we've listed 8 instances that may get you in trouble without you even realising it… (Picture: Getty Images)

1. Taking a picture or video in your office

Though you may have a relaxed office, where it's more than normal to Snapchat or Instagram your day, remember that it's still a professional and secure environment. For example, taking a picture of your work bestie and posting it to your stories may seem harmless enough at the time, but there's always a chance of a security breach. And by that, we mean the office tends to house sensitive information, from monthly figures to something as small as the Wi-Fi code (Picture: Getty Images)

2. Charging your phone on a work computer

You might be thinking, 'but everyone in the office charges their personal phones on their work laptops, what's the big deal?' Let us enlighten you. Using your personal mobile poses potential threats to your professional devices. Should your phone be infected with malware or viruses, plugging it into a company computer or laptop could cause it to spread to your work gadgets. If this happens, your company could be at risk of data theft, loss of data, or unauthorised access to personal information (Picture: Getty Images)

3. Wearing too much perfume

This sounds like a silly one, we know. But wearing too much Lynx Africa or Britney Spears Fantasy may have more serious repercussions than just smelling like a 14-year-old millennial school kid. Rather, if someone in your office has lung conditions like asthma, strong scented perfumes or fragrances can be common triggers. Particularly if the office is small, or you're seated next to someone with the chronic condition. Asthma.com says that strong scents, such as these, can cause or exacerbate 'symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.' Better to be safe than sorry, hey? (Picture: Getty Images)

4. Sending an email to the wrong address

We've all been there: accidentally sending an email to the wrong person because you're too involved with the office gossip. While 9 times out of 10 it's not a big deal, i.e. accidentally requesting your annual leave to Tim in legal rather than Tim your manager, taking your eye off the ball can sometimes be more catastrophic. For example, the ease of your email account's predictive type could lead to the accidental sharing of sensitive company information to the wrong address. Bottom line? Before firing an email off, double check you're sending it to the right person. Those extra few seconds might be the difference between you keeping your job and being fired (Picture: Getty Images)

5. Posting from the hotel of your work trip

Sure, you want the world to know about your boujie work trips, but boosting your ego for five minutes could have consequences. Posting photos of your hotel, for example, could compromise both your personal security and cause liability issues. Tagging the location reveals where you are, and what your travel plans might be, which instantly puts a target on your back for criminals. Additionally, rival businesses can locate your whereabouts and potentially figure out the contacts you're meeting with. This could seriously affect a business deal - especially if it's still being negotiated. If you do insist on sharing snaps, wait until you're home, or until after the business stuff is all wrapped up (Picture: Getty Images)

6. Coming into work sick

All you workaholics out there, it's in no one's best interest for you to turn up to work sniffling and coughing all over the shop. Not only will you not be on good form, but you also risk infecting your colleagues. This will lead to more people taking sick days, which will have an overall detrimental effect on the output of the company. While you may think you're being a selfless martyr by rocking up to work even when you're ill, it's actually a pretty selfish thing to do. Instead, take some time to rest, recuperate and recover - your mind, body, and your boss will likely thank you when you return (Picture: Getty Images)

7. Hitting 'reply all' to an email chain

It's vital to be aware of the repercussions hitting 'reply all' on an email thread can cause. Before sending your speedy - or important - off to everyone on the chain, check the addresses listed and consider who needs to see the message and who doesn't. Be extra cautious about this when you're sharing sensitive company information - you don't want to risk distributing private figures or data to people who have no business seeing it. On a less severe note, you don't want to be left embarrassed after accidentally sharing details with the whole thread, when the response was only intended for a couple of people (Picture: Getty Images)

8. Forgetting that at work events, you’re still at work

Many jobs have lots of perks, from press trips to fancy dinners to open bars at events. Granted, they're all organised for your enjoyment and are a great chance to socialise with your colleagues outside of work, but you also need to remember that you're required to maintain your professionalism to a certain extent. It is a work event, after all. This basically means don't overdo it on the free booze - not only will your boss know the real reason you called in sick the next day, but you also run the risk of embarrassing yourself and the company you work for. Not all bosses are lenient, either, and one wrong move could land you in serious trouble (Picture: Getty Images)