Mother always said, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” This is great advice for a number of work-related conditions that can have a serious effect on your reputation and employment. When faced with the opportunity to speak or stay silent, consider the following before you say anything.

Safeguard company secrets

Any time you train with a new employer, you will learn things that are proprietary or expected to be kept on the “down low.” This means the information is not to be shared with others. Think of this like a chess game. Just as one player doesn’t want to let his opponent know his next move, a business never wants to tip its hand by revealing its strategy.

Respect this confidentiality so that a competitive edge can be maintained. If a competing company should learn of the techniques, procedures, or intellectual property that makes your business run more smoothly, the spiraling consquences can affect sales, demand, and even your job.

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