Everyone makes mistakes. Usually you can correct your error or just forget about it and move on. Making a mistake at work, however, can be more serious. It may cause problems for your employer and even affect the company's bottom line. Repercussions¹ will ultimately trickle² down to you.Simply correcting your mistake and moving on may not be an option. When you make a mistake at work your career may depend on what you do next.

人人都会犯错。通常情况下你可以改正你的错误或者干脆忘掉它并继续前行。但若在工作中犯错就要严重得多了，它很可能给你的雇主造成麻烦甚至碰触到公司的底线，而这些后果最终会反应到你的头上。仅仅改正错误然后继续向前可能并不现实。若在工作中犯了错，你的职业生涯就取决于你下一步的行动了。

1.Admit Your Mistake

1.承认错误

Tell your boss about your mistake immediately. The only exception is if you make an insignificant³ error that will not affect anyone. Otherwise, don't try to hide your mistake. You will look terrible if someone else discovers it.

立刻跟你的老板承认你的错误。除非你犯的错无关紧要且影响不到别人，否则不要试图掩饰你的错误，因为如果错误被发现，你会变得很惨。

2.Present Your Boss With a Plan To Fix Your Mistake

2.带着能弥补错误的计划去见老板

When you go to your boss to confess your mistake, you must have a plan for correcting it. Present your plan clearly. Tell your boss how long it will take to implement⁴ your plan and if there are any costs involved.

当你去向老板承认错误的时候，必须带着一个能够弥补错误的计划。把你的计划讲清楚。告诉老板你的计划要多久才会生效，或者是否需要额外的费用。

3.Don't Blame Anyone Else for Your Mistake

3.不要因为你的错误责怪任何人

Pointing fingers won't help anyone if you make a mistake. Encourage those who may share responsibility to follow your lead in confessing to your boss.

如果你犯了错，指责别人帮不了你。鼓励那些愿意和你分担责任的人跟着你一起去找老板承认错误。

4.Apologize for Your Mistake But Don't Beat Yourself Up

4.为错误道歉但不要把自己打倒

There's a big difference between admitting your mistake and beating yourself up about it. Take responsibility but don't berate⁵ yourself for making it, especially in public.

承认错误和把自己打倒之间有很大的差别。承担责任，但不要苛责自己，尤其是在公共场合。

5.Correct Your Mistake on Your Own Time

5.用自己的时间弥补错误

If you have to spend extra hours at work to correct your mistake, don't expect to be paid for that time. You can also use your lunch hour or come into work early.

如果你不得不加班来弥补你的错误，那么不要指望拿加班费。你还可以用午餐时间或者提早上班来做这些事情。