BE 380: Accidents Happen - How to Say You Made a Mistake at Work

This podcast episode focuses on how to discuss unintentional mistakes at work, addressing a listener's question about synonyms for "by accident." The hosts, Lindsay and Michelle, discuss the nuances of phrases like "by accident," "by mistake," "by fluke," "unintentionally," and "inadvertently," providing examples of their usage in professional settings. They highlight that while "by accident" and "by mistake" are largely interchangeable, more formal alternatives like "unintentionally" and "inadvertently" are preferable in workplace communication. The episode concludes with a role-play demonstrating appropriate ways to address workplace errors and emphasizes the importance of damage control and direct communication when mistakes occur.