Honesty is the best policy - with some exceptions.
Honesty is the best policy in the workplace - but like any rule, this one has a few exceptions."It's important to be cautious with what you say to your boss, as even the slightest slip-up could make or break your career," says Ryan Kahn, a career coach, founder of The Hired Group, and author of "Hired! The Guide for the Recent Grad."
Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job," agrees. "There are certain comments and questions based on negative perspectives that can set you back with your boss," she says. "If they continue unabated, these phrases can sabotage an otherwise great job."
A good practice is to first pause before blurting out something you might regret to examine what you're trying to achieve and the likely reaction you'll get from your boss.
"If you think you may regret it, you probably will," Taylor says. "Better to err on the side of waiting until you can crystallize your thoughts into a more palatable and professional dialogue."
Aside from the obvious - like profanity and insults - here are the words and phrases you should never utter to your boss: