Privacy: Should you talk about it at work?
2 October 2014
Read by 2995 persons
"In a company, private life is left in the cloakroom." This saying is more nuanced in reality. How and to whom should you talk about it? Within what limits and circumstances? Expert advice.
"Although private life a priori has no place in a company, it is also a social place where informal exchanges enrich interpersonal relationships," says Juliette Ricou, a coach at Orgachange, a management consulting, coaching and training firm. Evoking your private life is therefore not problematic as long as this expression remains within acceptable proportions. "Spilling your guts to colleagues all the time is of course to be avoided, partly because it harms professional efficiency, but also because the extrovert runs the risk of their comments being misinterpreted, distorted, or even used against them," warns the coach.
When colleagues become friends
It also depends on the culture and size of the company. "Senior management doesn't have the same practices as a family SME, the banking sector as communications. When joining a new company, it's important to observe what is done and what is not... and to adapt to the local culture," advises Juliette Ricou.
Beyond strictly professional relationships, it's not uncommon to forge more personal bonds with some colleagues who become true friends. "Provided you really trust the person, there's then no risk in talking about yourself, but outside of working hours," specifies Valérie Moissonnier, a coach for managers and teams.
Saying nothing at all can also cause harm
"In some companies, it's customary to talk about your hobbies or your last vacation," notes Juliette Ricou. "A secretive employee who prefers to remain very discreet about their personal life may be considered contemptuous or at least lacking interest in their colleagues."
Another perverse effect: "never communicating any information can also arouse suspicion," warns Valérie Moissonnier, who has already observed this situation in several companies. "Colleagues wonder what the employee is hiding and rumors spread."
The manager, a special interlocutor
"Without going into the intimate sphere, it's useful to give personal information to your manager insofar as it may influence your daily life," says Valérie Moissonnier. For example, being a parent carries the risk of having to take days off for a sick child. This will be easier if the manager knows your personal situation.
"If they are very reserved and don't ask any questions about your private life, the annual review can be an opportunity to share useful information: 'as you know, I have two children...' This sows a little seed of empathy," adds the coach.
Talking in case of serious difficulty
If you are going through a serious personal crisis that may affect your work, it is important to prepare to communicate. "Know that HR and occupational health are privileged interlocutors, bound by professional secrecy. They are used to managing this type of difficulty and can give you useful advice to cope," suggests Valérie Moissonnier. "It's very important not to be alone and to find relays in the company to get support."
Warning your manager of a situation that is likely to affect your work is in any case essential. "It's better to warn them before talking to your colleagues because they might not like hearing about it 'through the grapevine'," notes Juliette Ricou. It's also an opportunity to consider with them whether it's useful to communicate to the team, to colleagues, in what way, etc.
Beware of your computer...
Know that the labor code allows employees to keep a personal file on their professional computer. And prohibits the employer from using the documents it contains against the employee. But if you are wary of your company, it is better to keep your personal documents on a USB key.
Avoid inviting your colleagues as friends on Facebook. You can, in your settings, place them in the "acquaintances" section and thus choose the information they will be able to access.
Marie-Pierre Noguès-Ledru.
Lexpress.fr
Published on September 18, 2014.
Posted online on October 2, 2014.
"Although private life a priori has no place in a company, it is also a social place where informal exchanges enrich interpersonal relationships," says Juliette Ricou, a coach at Orgachange, a management consulting, coaching and training firm. Evoking your private life is therefore not problematic as long as this expression remains within acceptable proportions. "Spilling your guts to colleagues all the time is of course to be avoided, partly because it harms professional efficiency, but also because the extrovert runs the risk of their comments being misinterpreted, distorted, or even used against them," warns the coach.
When colleagues become friends
It also depends on the culture and size of the company. "Senior management doesn't have the same practices as a family SME, the banking sector as communications. When joining a new company, it's important to observe what is done and what is not... and to adapt to the local culture," advises Juliette Ricou.
Beyond strictly professional relationships, it's not uncommon to forge more personal bonds with some colleagues who become true friends. "Provided you really trust the person, there's then no risk in talking about yourself, but outside of working hours," specifies Valérie Moissonnier, a coach for managers and teams.
Saying nothing at all can also cause harm
"In some companies, it's customary to talk about your hobbies or your last vacation," notes Juliette Ricou. "A secretive employee who prefers to remain very discreet about their personal life may be considered contemptuous or at least lacking interest in their colleagues."
Another perverse effect: "never communicating any information can also arouse suspicion," warns Valérie Moissonnier, who has already observed this situation in several companies. "Colleagues wonder what the employee is hiding and rumors spread."
The manager, a special interlocutor
"Without going into the intimate sphere, it's useful to give personal information to your manager insofar as it may influence your daily life," says Valérie Moissonnier. For example, being a parent carries the risk of having to take days off for a sick child. This will be easier if the manager knows your personal situation.
"If they are very reserved and don't ask any questions about your private life, the annual review can be an opportunity to share useful information: 'as you know, I have two children...' This sows a little seed of empathy," adds the coach.
Talking in case of serious difficulty
If you are going through a serious personal crisis that may affect your work, it is important to prepare to communicate. "Know that HR and occupational health are privileged interlocutors, bound by professional secrecy. They are used to managing this type of difficulty and can give you useful advice to cope," suggests Valérie Moissonnier. "It's very important not to be alone and to find relays in the company to get support."
Warning your manager of a situation that is likely to affect your work is in any case essential. "It's better to warn them before talking to your colleagues because they might not like hearing about it 'through the grapevine'," notes Juliette Ricou. It's also an opportunity to consider with them whether it's useful to communicate to the team, to colleagues, in what way, etc.
Beware of your computer...
Know that the labor code allows employees to keep a personal file on their professional computer. And prohibits the employer from using the documents it contains against the employee. But if you are wary of your company, it is better to keep your personal documents on a USB key.
Avoid inviting your colleagues as friends on Facebook. You can, in your settings, place them in the "acquaintances" section and thus choose the information they will be able to access.
Marie-Pierre Noguès-Ledru.
Lexpress.fr
Published on September 18, 2014.
Posted online on October 2, 2014.
