10 things you should never say to your colleagues

5. ‘You seem down — are you depressed?’

A better question if you are concerned about a co-worker: “What can I do to help?” Less than ten per cent of employees feel comfortable discussing mental health conditions to their bosses, research from Legal & General found. In addition, asking about mental health could give rise to harassment claims, especially if an employee is treated differently because of it.

6. ‘You’re lucky you don’t want a family’

Don’t assume. This is an extremely personal remark and there could be underlying health issues preventing someone from having children. Furthermore, it makes assumptions regarding gender identities, which causes discomfort.