Remember that scene where Bridget Jones coos down the phone to Mark Darcy at work – who has inadvertently put the call onto loudspeaker and everyone else in his meeting overhears?
According to a survey commissioned on behalf of Post It Notes, office workers admit to making at least four embarrassing gaffes in an average week. Who hasn't felt that uncomfortable sensation of acute embarrassment and wished they could turn the clock back?
Take a look at these five toe-curling moments and what you can do to avoid staying redder than a post box.
Check and double check
Oops - Heard the one about the American PA in London who wrote the client invitation to Ascot; she asked the men to dress smartly and the women not to wear pants? Or the one about the trainee hairdresser who turned her client’s hair green? Sometimes the silliest blunders can be avoided by taking time to think carefully first.
Phew - Workplace psychologist Gary Fitzgibbon advises, "Once you admit to what's happened and talk about it, everyone will feel much more relaxed and they'll be laughing with you rather than at you.” Either stick your head inside a brown paper bag all week or take responsibility for what you did and apologise.
Think before you press ‘send’
Ooops - A quarter of us live in fear of personal e-mails being sent to the boss by mistake, while one-third is afraid of being caught out. Take Amanda Ross, one of Richard and Judy's producers – she e-mailed a furious note about an office birthday card. And remember that senior associate at Baker & McKenzie, said to earn more than £100,000, who sent his secretary an e-mail demanding £4 to dry clean his trousers after she accidentally splashed tomato ketchup on them? Both e-mails were leaked, spreading like wildfire online.
Phew - Never write anything in an e-mail you would not want read by everybody. That includes your boss. If something in an e-mail makes you angry, take a moment to cool off and reply in a formal, calm tone. In addition, set up a separate e-mail account from your work one, such as Hotmail or Yahoo, if you send personal e-mails.
Ho ho ho oh no
Oops - Ever snogged a co-worker at a Christmas party or told your boss your true thoughts during a drunken team night out? According to a survey by OfficeSmart, 93 per cent of office workers have experienced embarrassing behaviour by others and 64 per cent know of affairs that started under the office mistletoe. Maybe you are one of the 10 per cent of male employees who told The Guardian they have vomited in front of colleagues.
Phew - It is easy to drink too much and make a fool of yourself. Enjoy a tipple but alternate with water for a clearer head and eat something before you go. If you wake up the day after with a sinking feeling, prompt and gracious behaviour is essential. Alternatively, say it must have been your twin.
What…again?!
Oops - “Would you like to contribute to Jenny’s leaving present?” you’re asked. Jenny who? Do you feel like you are constantly asked to donate to leaving presents, baby gifts, etcetera, etcetera and etcetera? Should you cough up - yet again - or blush away and risk appearing mean?
Phew - In the case of charitable giving, just say that you only support certain charities from an annual budget and this is not one of them. On the other hand, if it is a collection for a colleague you do not know, you are not obligated to contribute and politely decline: “I have to pass this time around.”
Zzzzzz
Ooops - Are you one of the 13 million Brits who have snoozed during a meeting or presentation? Wayne Munnelly, Travelodge Sleep Director, says, "Due to today’s stressful lifestyle, it's no wonder half of the UK population admits to nodding off midway into their busy schedules.”
Phew - If you have built strong relationships with colleagues who trust you and think highly of your work, you can usually recover from your error. Try to avoid late nights, especially before an important meeting. However, if caught out, claim the only way you can concentrate is with your eyes shut.
Keep your head down and focus on your job. With any luck, it will not be long before someone else messes up at work and then your colleagues will hopefully move on to gossiping about that.
