What happened to office etiquette?

It used to be that office etiquette seemed inherently understood: you don’t microwave fish; you greet each other with a smile; you listen when someone talks.  These things seem to have disappeared over time and where does that leave us?

Have you considered that some of your staff may never have worked in an office environment?  With Covid, advances in technology, and remote work, the office environment isn’t the same.  Offering pointers and expectations in office etiquette may be warranted.

So what should you expect?  What makes up office etiquette?  Here are some pointers:

·         Maintain a professional attitude: stay calm and respectful, even when stressed

·         Respect shared spaces: clean up after yourself and don’t leave a mess

·         Be mindful of noise: use headphones where appropriate, keep conversational tone subdued in open areas

·         Keep emails professional: be clear and concise and respond promptly

·         Don’t borrow supplies without asking

·         Be prepared and attentive in meetings

·         Listen to others when they speak; don’t interrupt and be respectful, even if you disagree

·         Practice good hygiene and be aware of strong scents

·         Don’t get caught up in office gossip; focus on work and not rumors

·         Don’t overshare personal information

·         Follow through on your commitments

Talking these actions through with your staff may reduce some of the drama you’re experiencing.  By setting expectations of etiquette, you’re better preparing your staff to work together and setting a culture based on professional standards.

Discuss what actions are appropriate (and/or inappropriate) in your organization, be clear on your expectations and model the behavior yourself.  It doesn’t hurt to demonstrate and remind staff what office etiquette means and what you want in the work environment!

#officeetiquette #positivity #managementsolutions #hrconsultant #nodrama

Two women in a professional setting.