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NEVER Say These 4 Things To Your Boss! (Lawyer's Warning)

Ed Hones

68,349 views

Are you trying to take accountability at work, or just venting your frustrations to your manager? You might be unknowingly handing your employer the exact words they need to legally fire you and destroy your future lawsuit. In this video, Seattle employment lawyer Ed Hones reveals 4 specific things you should NEVER say to your boss—and why these conversations are the most dangerous ones you will ever have at work.

Many employees think they are being professional, mature, or just letting off steam. But in the eyes of the law, these statements can be weaponized as permanent confessions. Learn exactly how your own words can extinguish your legal claims and cost you your entire settlement.

✅ IN THIS VIDEO, YOU'LL LEARN:

Thing #1: Admitting Fault. Why saying "I've been dropping the ball" hands your employer a readymade confession for their cover story, and the exact phrase you should use instead to address mistakes professionally.

Thing #2: Threatening to Quit. How venting about leaving allows the company to accept your "resignation," extinguishing your wrongful termination claim and disqualifying you from unemployment benefits.

Thing #3: The Recording Announcement. Why telling your boss "I'm recording this" can be a literal crime in two-party consent states, makes your evidence inadmissible, and paints a massive target on your back.

Thing #4: The Small Lie. The scariest trap on the list. Learn how a simple white lie about calling in sick triggers the "After-Acquired Evidence" rule, allowing employers to cap your damages and take your money—even if they fired you illegally.

🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:

▶ Watch my video "Can You Record People Without Permission?": Can You Record People Without Permission?
▶ Watch "NEVER Say These 3 Things to HR": NEVER Say These 3 Things to HR (Lawyer's W...

⏱️ CHAPTERS:
0:00 - The Most Dangerous Conversations at Work
0:27 - Thing #1: Admitting Fault (The Confession Trap)
1:51 - Thing #2: Quit-Talk (Extinguishing Your Claim)
3:27 - Thing #3: The Recording Announcement
4:59 - Thing #4: The Small Lie (After-Acquired Evidence)
6:22 - How Would They Even Find Out? (The Reality of Discovery)
7:01 - Next Steps & Outro

I'm Ed Hones, a Seattle-based employment lawyer focused on helping workers understand their rights. My firm is dedicated to holding employers accountable. Learn more here:

➡️ https://www.honeslaw.com

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and promotional purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The content is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship. You should consult with a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction for advice regarding your individual situation.

#EmploymentLaw #WrongfulTermination #WorkplaceRights #CareerAdvice #LegalTips #HR

20 Comments

@edhones Creator 2 months ago Pinned

What is something you learned never to tell your boss?

@holo2869 2 months ago

People would be surprised to know how much of the co-workers are snitches. Never treat your co-worker as your friend.

@qzwxecrv0192837465 2 months ago

- don’t admit fault
- quit talk
- I’ve been recording everything
- the small lie

@Derp-DeFuhrer9080 2 months ago

Dont shit talk to coworkers, dont trust HR, and dont talk to you bosses like they are your best friend.

@MrChas410 2 months ago

Take my free advice. Become your bosses drug dealer. THAT'S job security!

@KarenTheComedian 2 months ago

Outside of work snitches get stitches

At work snitches get promotions

@KarenTheComedian 2 months ago

Tell your boss

You love the company and everything is awesome

@gregnixon1296 2 months ago

A neighbor told his boss that he was retiring in one year. Within a month, he was fired.

@Withnail1969 2 months ago

Say nothing to anyone at work unless it's absolutely necessary.

@melchizedek077 1 month ago

Don't have to be a lawyer to know that many HR departments have the policy that if it looks like someone is considering leaving that they should expedite that right away. It is a big risk to the company.

@JeremiahLOsborne 2 months ago

Totally agree. My coworkers are not my friends. They are my co-workers, and our relationship is based on absolutely nothing but work. My coworkers think I'm a very boring person, and all I do is go home and garden. And I prefer to be that way. If I wouldn't want my coworkers living in my home, sharing my personal space and the private details of my life, I'm not going to voluntarily give them that information. They are on a need to know basis, and there's very little they need to know about me besides how good I am at my job.

@codoltube 2 months ago

I loved the golden rule. I'll try to remember in all aspects of life, not only work. Thanks!

@irismckay6472 2 months ago

Hi Ed, fellow lawyer here. I enjoy your channel because I believe a lot of people were brought up to believe that you should be honest and disclose everything. (Confession is good for the soul but not a good strategy in the law.) One of the things I see in divorcing clients is that they let their ego get in the way. In an employment situation, I see this as employees wanting to satisfy their egos through communication that makes them feel better in the short run, but obviously is against their best interests in the long run. THANKS for the awesome content.

@steverogers7601 2 months ago

Wow - I like my boss. She’s very supportive, thoughtful, considerate, and defends us when other teams want to push more work onto us.

But she’s not my friend, despite having a good working relationship.

I had no idea saying “it’s my fault, it’s on me” could potentially be used against me.

@Drkritz321 2 weeks ago

This information is so critical. I wish you had spoken to my medical school class before graduation. Doctors are so clueless about the law and often terribly bombastic in their work behaviors and communications. I made SO many of these mistakes earlier in my career and it just makes me cringe with embarrassment. “Smart” people with no understanding of the law are especially dangerous.

@lynng6556 2 months ago

I am in the process of interviewing for a new job at a large company in my area. I am binge watching this channel. Round 2 is tomorrow.

@TheRMD2 2 months ago

When I was working in the '80's and '90's pre social media I never left my condo complex if I called in sick. You never know who you'll see. Now with social media? Do the same x10

@joeriveracomedy 2 months ago

I made a joke comment in the office about something I wouldn't do/or quit and a relative of the boss heard me and thought I was being serious. Things got WEIRD.

@MoonFoxASMR 3 weeks ago

The incident tracker “KEEP THE RECORD” by Meghan Reeves saved my case! I had everything documented neatly and my attorney loved it. The case was a slam dunk. Got it on amazon for $9!!!

@codenameexoliby6020 2 months ago

used to be a labor relations manager--a job i eventually quit for moral reasons due to the employer (that is management and HR) unlawful behavior behind closed doors. Please beleive me when i say that everything the attorney said in this video is completely accurate. Every single point. Please be cautious at work.