Robert Half International recent article titled 5 workplace rules that are made to be bent encourages us to step away from the norm and benefit from bending five longstanding workplace rules.

Rule #1 – The more hours you put in, the further you will go

Efficiency speaks louder than hours worked.   The author encourages us to be efficient and produce quality work versus longer hours.  Keep in mind, putting in extra hours occasionally isn’t a problem, however if we make it a habit it can lead to stress, decreased morale and possible health issues.

Rule # 2 – Taking on New Assignments

Volunteering for projects can help you build valuable skills; however, one must take caution to ensure that they haven’t taken on more work than they can handle and never overpromise and under deliver.

Rule #3 – Take Promotions

A higher role and better pay is an enticing offer, however before accepting a raise the author encourages us to weigh various factors such as work/life balance and role responsibilities and expectations.

Rule #4 – Impress those above

Instead of just focusing on impressing your boss or supervisor the author encourages us to be pleasant to everyone.  After all, a helping hand can come from any direction.

Rule #5 – Don’t be the office Chatterbox

Chatter away! Foster relationships with your co-workers through moderate small talk.  The key is that your chats should not interfere with your productivity or interrupt those around you.

This writer believes that bending the above workplace rules can be beneficial to both parties in the long haul.  It encourages us to think outside the box and be effective and efficient in our overall production, take on new assignments and promotions that cause growth and encourage work/life balance and last but not least, it encourages us to build good relationships with everyone around us.