The best way not to get into office politics is to avoid getting yourself mixed in office gossip. Even if you are doing your best at work, but if you have e reputation for being a rumor-monger, then don’t be surprised if your boss won’t consider you for a raise or a promotion. Here are some suggestions on how to avoid getting into this bad business:

Always stay neutral. This is more true of you are newly hired. Avoid forging alliances, especially if you haven’t understood how the office dynamics work. Keep your feelings to yourself. If you have a problem with office procedures or other issues that concern work, go to your supervisor and make constructive suggestions and criticisms. Avoid bad mouthing anything or anyone.

It’s okay to be friendly, or to be nice. Just try to keep things professional. Be low-key if possible and stay out of the gossip limelight. Flirting, or worse, sleeping around with your co-workers will surely put you under the gossip microscope. Dress appropriately and respect the office and the people in it.

If you learn something juicy or controversial, keep it to yourself. This could be very difficult. But think of it this way – the worse thing happens and this bit of news has turned into a full blown gossip that incriminates other people at work and an investigation is issued. You wouldn’t want it to be traced to you now, would you?

Use your computer and work e-mail for work only. Because you might not know who’s watching.