It’s one thing to put your foot in your mouth. It’s something else to do it at the office. As they say, some things are better left unsaid and this is especially true of your employees. Although it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and forget you’re the boss, it’s essential to maintain a level of professionalism at all times.

Personal opinions of employees and their lifestyle choices should never be discussed in public (if at all). Disciplinary action and shortcomings should also remain private. On that same note, employees should refrain from badmouthing you and your ideas. Here are 10 things never to say to your employees.

10) “It looks like you’ve gained some weight lately.” – Even if it’s true, this comment is nothing but rude. It is equally bad form to offer dieting tips and low-cal recipes with someone that hasn’t shared their weight loss journey with you. (Ditto other comments about weight, height, hair color, or just about anything about your staffer’s appearance.)

9) “You want to get a bite to eat after work?” – Fraternizing with your employees after working hours may seem like a good idea at the moment, but it often turns into something quite different, making it tough to differentiate between a buddy and an employee.

“That’s okay. I’ll let it slide just this once.” – Comments like these give your employees the impression that you are lax in your management and disciplinary methods. The last thing that you want them to think is that you’re a pushover.

7) “It’s not a problem until you make it a problem.” - Similarly, you don’t want to come across as a tyrant. You should care about your employees and their personal issues as long as you don’t meddle.

6) “No one is going to believe you over me.” - Harassment cases do stand up in court. Do not press your luck by making such a naive statement.

5) “Isn’t your review coming up soon?” - Passive-aggressive statements like these do more harm than good. If you want to encourage an employee to be their best, find other ways to encourage it than vague threats.

4) “Don’t bother me right now. I’m updating my Facebook status.” – Social media networking is an important part of today’s business world. It should not, however, be an excuse for failing to communicate with an employee.

3) “You know you’re my favorite.” – Every employee should think that they are your favorite. But you can never confirm this out loud.

2) “Personal issues shouldn’t get in the way of your performance.” – As true as this statement is, it’s unrealistic. Everyone has his or her fair share of problems. Be sympathetic yet maintain expectations. Give employees some slack when times are tough and they’ll pay you back twofold.

1) “I don’t care about the way it makes you feel, just do your job!” - Employees that are praised on a regular basis are more likely to perform better. Care about your staff — and the way they feel — and they will work hard to do what you ask of them.

CULLED FROM: http://blog.intuit.com/employees/10-things-you-should-never-ever-say-to-your-employees/

Nigeria employees have no choice bro complain when you are ready to be fired

I knew this will come up too.

Yungwizzzy: Nigeria employees have no choice bro complain when you are ready to be fired

Tru man, but let us not frustrate our graduates!
OP spot on, I was expecting this btw. We should be more civilized and respectful. Respect is reciprocal.
By the time some of your employees wey u dey wicked go arrange area boys for u, na u go fear fear.

I told my boss #3 recently

“You know you’re my favorite.”

How about you say this to each and every employee during their performance reviews?

cul

Wat shld we say den?

Hmmm, this is Nigeria. Might not work.

I DISAGREE WITH NUMBER 8....THAT STATEMENT SEEMS MORE OF GIVING THAT EMPLOYEE A SECOND CHANCE TO CHANGE FOR GOOD!

Do we even have Labour Laws in this country sef?
In a country where un-employment is so high the Employer is king jare..

A Boss can do anything and get away with it cos there's little or no job security and at the slightest provocation an employee trys to leave, there are a million un-employed willing to do d job, better than you and at a cheaper rate...

In this country, a Boss is Lord and Master.

What's all this s.h!t about.

IF U ARE TIRED OF WORKING, JUST GO!!!
Em not animal, em need motivations.

"Why are you just coming to work by this time"
.... *looks at wristwatch*

Employers should never threaten employees with their jobs...keep them motivated especially when they love what they do and are very good at it.

Sorry sir but I don't see anything wrong in saying any of those things. You have point on #10

In 2009 I was personally sued by one of our employee for related comment "emotional abuse and descrimination " She's from Europe and I jokingly told her that most European chicks I know ain't big lol I wonder what she would have done if I had used the word "fat"

Anyway she didn't get shiit.

It's always nice to be friendly with your employees but still business is business. Who wanna wake up in the morning with a sad because he'/she is going to see that duchebag of a boss again today?

annexes: I knew this will come up too.

Sissy hw do u know that?

My boss needs to work on 1 n 10. D man is sumtin else,nobody ever does anytin right in his eyes.

murimoney: mods wat is d meaning of dis?
wasting large space with stupid comments.

By quoting him, you are wasting more space. Smh

Employers should never threaten employees with their jobs. They should be motivated especially when they're good at what they do and they enjoy it.

Nigerian banks are fond of breaking rule number 1.

na so d mata b

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Good composition OP. But all those things you said are valid only in oyibo land, no bi for naija abeg. D gramma too much sef.

Booked

Texas.Cowgirl:
I told my boss #3 recently

They said what u should not say to your EMPLOYEE NOT EMPLOYER (BOSS)