• Document everything! Conversations and interactions with your workplace leaders and other co-workers are important. You may never need to share your documentation, but it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
• Proof is power! If you ever find yourself in a meeting with HR or in a dispute with your employer, you need to able to backup your claim. Saying that something happened and showing something that happened are two completely different things. You need to be able to back up your claims with time and date stamped proof.
• When “chizzling” or documenting your activities and conversations at work, it’s important to be objective. Here are some examples of how you should and shouldn’t document your activities.

Don’t say: My co-worker was unprofessional in the meeting.

This doesn’t give us any information. How was your co-worker unprofessional in the meeting? Give specific examples.

Say instead: My co-worker interrupted me three times during the meeting when I attempted to speak. My co-worker also said to me at the end of the meeting, “We don’t care what you have to say. You aren’t a senior member of the team.”

Don’t say: My boss was creeping me out today.

How was your boss creeping you out? Give specific examples.

Say instead: My boss said that I looked sexy in my new dress. He asked me if I wanted to have dinner with him tonight. This behavior made me feel uncomfortable.

Below is an example of a “Chizzle your Boss,” documentation log. It’s important that you include witnesses and upload any supporting documentation such as pictures, documents or videos if you have it.