ExecutiveChronicles.com | Office etiquette refers to mannerisms and behavior that are appropriate and sensible at the office. It comprises rules that each person is expected to follow at the office, whether written or unwritten. They ensure that the workplace remains professional and organized.
When these rules are not adhered to, the office can be a very stressful place to work in. Bad manners can have a negative effect on the productivity of other employees. This eventually affects how business is run. Office etiquette should be followed by everyone at the office, including those that are part of the management.
Acting as a role model is one of the best ways to ensure that others act accordingly. Inadequate behavior can leave a negative impression on others and make it hard to overcome the stumbling blocks of day-to-day interactions. It’s all about following basic advice that will ensure you get along with other people within the organization.
Office etiquette covers a wide range of areas when it comes to an organizational setup. It ranges from behavior that should be depicted within the office, kitchen, washrooms, board room, and all other areas of the office. Every organization has its own set of office etiquette.
As a rule of thumb, however, there are rules that apply in every office. They ensure that everything runs as it should and that the best working conditions are achieved. Below is a list of some of the do’s and don’ts that apply to a typical office environment:
- Take a day off when sick. This gives you time to rest and to recover and protect your coworkers from getting exposed.
- Keep time when attending meetings. Schedule enough time in advance for anything that needs to be taken care of before the meeting.
- Always have your phone on vibrate mode. This prevents you from distracting and disturbing others with loud and weird ringtones.
- Avoid multitasking during meetings. Pay close attention to what is going on. Scrolling through your emails and messages while someone else is talking may come out as rude.
- Eat your food from the break room or cafeteria. Smelly foods may make it extremely hard for others to concentrate.
- If in a cubicle, consider talking in low tones while on the phone.
- Avoid revealing clothes. These might be a distraction to others. Focus on showcasing your skills rather than your body parts.
- Be compassionate and empathize with your colleagues. Screaming and yelling at them might make you a common enemy.
- Respect other people’s property. Don’t take anything that doesn’t belong to you. This also applies to food and drinks kept in the refrigerator.
- Always take your work seriously. A casual working attitude might leave a bad impression. You are an asset to the company, and as such, you should be able to do your job as well as add value.
- Avoid gawking at other people’s cubicles, computer screens, and workstations. This shows a lack of respect for personal space and may make your colleagues uncomfortable.
- Avoid making fun of other people’s work, ideas, or suggestions. Express your own opinion without discrediting others. Criticizing them might make them lose their confidence.
- Stay away from office politics and offensive gossip. These normally bring about negative emotions about others and may put you in uncomfortable situations.
- Keep your workstation clean. A messy working environment shows that you are untidy and that your thoughts are ambiguous. A tidy and clean desk shows that you are a responsive and organized person.
- Make a point of carrying a pen and notebook to seminars and meetings. Remembering everything that was said during the meeting can be hard. Noting all of it down helps to keep up with all the key points.
- Always communicate effectively and avoid making assumptions. Always make sure that everyone who is involved is notified of what’s going on.
- Be a responsible worker and make sure that everything is switched off before leaving the office. Switch off the fans, computers, lights, and office machinery. It ensures that you save energy.
- Always be punctual. This does not only apply to your arrival time in the morning, but also to meetings, company events, and conferences.
If by any chance, a workmate depicts a lack of office etiquette or bad manners at the office, there are several ways in which you can handle the situation. The best way is to stay calm and collected. Avoid getting angry or emotional about it. This may cause you to retaliate. Make a point of meeting the person in private and explaining to them how their actions are affecting you and the others. Seek help from the HR or manager if things get out of hand. If you’d like to learn more about how you can improve your working environment beyond office etiquette, check out our Fast Office Furniture Sydney branch for the best deals in office furniture.
