Although sex, scandal and unethical behavior seem to sell big when it comes to movie plots, these are things that will not go over well at all in the workplace. The quickest way to lose your job is to participate in behavior or activities related to those aforementioned topics. Here are just a few ways to lose your job faster than you can plead the fifth...

1. Use your work computer to download pornographic images

2. Circulate sexually suggestive material via email

3. Lie on your time card, expenditure report or the like

4. Sexually harass a boss or co-worker

5. Misrepresent yourself to a client

6. Falsify statistical findings/data, etc.

7. Sell privileged and confidential information about your clients or your company

8. Participate in any conflict of interest activities

In this list, items 1 through 3 are the most likely to get you fired almost immediately, and will greatly impact whether you are entitled to unemployment benefits or a severance package. A burden of proof for items 4 through 8 are more difficult to come by, yet those activities are no less unethical, and reasonable grounds for termination. Furthermore, they can have devastating and lingering effects on one's future job prospects.

Learn more about this author, Lauren Beyenhof.
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