9 of the Rudest Things Your Boss Should Never Say to You

Last Updated on November 13, 2023 by Daniel Boyce

Have you ever had a rude encounter at work? If yes, then you probably know exactly how annoying it can be when someone says something inappropriate or offensive to you.

The workplace has become a breeding ground for insensitive comments. Unfortunately, some bosses don’t seem to realize that they shouldn’t talk down to their employees. They often treat them like children who need to be scolded.

Here are 9 of the rudest things that your boss should never say to you.

Workplace Bullying

Bullying at work has become a major problem in today’s society. 30% of workers have encountered some kind of workplace bullying. That goes up to 42% for those working remotely.

There are three main types of bullies: passive, aggressive, and predatory. Passive bullies typically get away with their abusive behavior because no one speaks up. Aggressive bullies usually pick fights, but rarely back down. Predatory bullies use threats and intimidation to control others.

1. Figure it out

A boss that isn’t willing to teach their employees the blueprint on how to get their work done effectively, is a boss that doesn’t value their employees. And when an employee doesn’t feel valued, it can lead to resentment and high turnover.

Companies that hire employees with the “sink or swim” mentality, where employees will either be successful on their own or will get fired, contribute to toxic workplace culture.

Bosses should provide learning and development of the needed skillsets for each job they manage. As long as an employee is willing to put the work in and stay disciplined, a boss should want to get the best out of every employee.

2. I know what’s best

Leaders often assume that they’re the ones who know best about a situation, even though they don’t necessarily have all the information needed to make good decisions.

However, research suggests that it’s important for leaders to trust their team members’ insights and knowledge. In fact, studies show that having employees feel like they have ownership over problems and solutions leads to improved performance.

Leaders need to give people space to speak up and contribute ideas, while still making sure they understand where everyone else stands. They should be willing to listen to others, even if their initial response doesn’t match theirs.

And finally, leaders must be able to admit when they don’t have all the answers. Doing so builds trust among employees and helps them feel confident in sharing their opinions.

3. Because that’s your job

This is another case of the boss not valuing the learning and development of their employees. This is an easy opportunity to teach this employee about this specific task.

If expectations are unclear, or responsibilities for the employee aren’t defined at the beginning, then this situation will come up over and over again. When an employee is unsure of who is responsible, or how to get a certain task done, it’s natural for them to ask for help.

This is a great opportunity to teach and develop the employee into the boss. Doing this will eventually give the employee more autonomy in their work, and make them more successful. Ultimately making the boss look great for doing their job.

4. That idea isn’t going to work

Shutting down creativity in a workplace ends up being one of the reasons why employees leave. Employees begin to lack any creativity or passion in their work.

From a performance standpoint, bosses and leadership should always be open to new ideas on how to run portions of their business or accomplish the task more efficiently.

Some of the best ideas for more productivity come from those who have their heads in the trenches each and every day. Not listening to this advice can destroy creativity, innovation, and employee morale.

5. This is the way it’s always been done

This one is similar to ‘That idea won’t work”. It kills innovation and creativity. It also gives the employee a feeling of very little control over their workplace. If an employee is allowed to create, they feel more ownership and work harder.

In today’s world, many believe that nothing changes and everything stays the same. People who follow this mindset feel like they cannot innovate and improve processes because it’s “always been done that way.”

However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Innovation and creativity are key ingredients to success in every industry. If you want to keep innovating and creating great products or services, you must encourage others to do the same.

You must help them understand that change is inevitable and that the best companies embrace it.

6. Try to be less…

It’s not okay to condemn someone for their personal style. Even if you’re a manager, don’t tell others what they can’t wear. You should instead focus on encouraging them to change their behaviors. Instead, try to show them how to improve their behavior.

While it is your job to help your team members learn, flourish, and develop, it is not your place to tell them what they should or should not do. Instead, focus on highlighting the positive characteristics and personality types of your teammates that you appreciate.

You can reward good behavior by praising people for their positive qualities instead of punishing them for negative ones. For example, rather than saying something along the line of “You need to quit being so mean,” say something along the line of “I really appreciate your leadership abilities.” I love watching you take charge and lead our team. Keep up the great work!”

7. This is what you’re paid for

A manager once told his team member, “I pay you to do what I say.” To which the employee replied, “No, I am paying you to do what I tell you to do.” In other words, it is not about money; it is about empowerment.

If you try and force your employees to do something, they’ll be annoyed and they’ll probably not want to help out for your company. And when your employees don’t feel like they’re doing things because they want to, it’ll cause their morale to drop and ultimately, their productivity to go down.

If you don’t give people the freedom to choose how they spend their time, they won’t choose to use it wisely. You might think you’re being generous by giving them a raise, but you’re actually robbing them of the opportunity to earn more.

8. It doesn’t matter what you think

Using this phrase will leave your workers demotivated to contribute any positive feedback because they don’t care what others think about them. Your employees are likely to feel like they aren’t good enough to be noticed.

As a leader, you must encourage your team members to give their opinions, even if they are wrong. If you want people to speak up, you must make sure they know that you value their input.

In today’s fast-paced world, it seems like people are always trying to make others feel better about themselves. But sometimes, it can come across as rude or insensitive.

9. You’re lucky you have a job

Employees are hired because of their skills and knowledge, not because of their gratitude. You don’t need to thank someone for allowing you to work.

This will never help you in any way. And if you want to motivate people, start showing them that you appreciate what they do. Don’t ever pass taunts like “you are lucky to have a Job”. Such comments will make them feel uncomfortable and unappreciated.

Instead, you should speak carefully and develop a positive mindset, while being a real leader. Show them that you are proud of them and you appreciate everything they do. Be careful about the words you use. Use appropriate language to express yourself.

Value Your Employees to get the Most Out of Them

As a leader, managing people is one of the most important tasks you’ll ever undertake. And it’s certainly the hardest. You’ve got to motivate, inspire, guide, and train them — all while making sure they feel like part of something bigger than themselves.

But how do you make sure you’re doing all those things well? How do you keep your team motivated and focused? What are some of the best ways to communicate with your team members?

Your employees’ values shape everything they do. They determine whether they’re happy, successful, and productive. So it’s critical to understand what motivates them. Ask them about their core values and beliefs.

For example, if you work in customer service, ask your employees what matters most to them. Do they care about helping customers? Or do they just want to get paid?

You might think you already do. But chances are, you’re not showing your employees enough gratitude. Make a list of the ways you appreciate your employees. Maybe you give them bonuses or rewards for hitting certain goals. Or maybe you simply thank them for their hard work every day.