Socializing on the Job

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I've landed a full-time job working in a lab... Thanks to those who tried to answer and help. I think I put too much identifiable information into the original post, so I'm taking it down. Chalk it up to a late night and a down moment.

Last edited by pschristmas on 15 Jul 2012, 9:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I wish I could help you but the 'acceptable' level of socialising at work is beyond me. I usually get told I don't do enough, so once I made an effort and ended up losing my job because I socialised too much! It must have become a special interest at that time so i really made an effort with it.

I suppose in a acedemic environment it may be more mature socialising and not about gossip. The colleagues may come by to see what you are working on and talk about that. Instead of in an office where people want to talk about the soaps

Try to reciprocate. If people say "hi, how are you?" say "good, how are you". If people try to chat with you chat back for a bit. If people smile, smile back.

Cup of tea time always works

This.

Keep it relatively short.

If people start fiddling with their hair/watch/files, look away, or stop talking, wind down the convesation.

Try to keep social conversations acceptably short-- probably 15 minutes or less.

Nothing too personal (health problems, whatever). Nothing about money or touchy subjects. Nothing too vulgar. Nothing too weird. No gossip.

I only had one incident at my work place, but that was just a misunderstanding. I think it's been okey, they really just want me to do work mainly lawl

The best time to socialize is during lunch or break time. If you're working in a lab, try not to socialize while working on an experiment.