Office etiquette is a set of unwritten rules that defines how we behave in the office and during our interactions with work colleagues. Do you keep your behaviour suitable for the office at all times? What are some of the dos and don'ts when it comes to office etiquette? A lack of professionalism can affect colleague trust and productivity, hamper staff morale and reflect negatively on your company’s profile. Bad business etiquette can mean you get left behind when it comes to promotions, pay rises and bonuses.
In this article, we discuss some of the rules that you should abide by in the workplace and some examples of good etiquette to ensure that you remain professional at all times.
Keep Things Quiet
While it is nice to be back in the office, catching up on the gossip and enjoying some much-needed social interaction, remember that you and your colleagues are, first and foremost, there to work. Take your social chats to the breakout areas and be respectful of those that are trying to concentrate. You’ll appreciate it when your colleagues return the favour! Remember to keep your voice at a respectful volume when talking on the phone, so as not to distract your surrounding colleagues.
If you are using headphones to listen to music, be aware of those around you. If somebody is trying to grab your attention, it can appear very frustrating to them if you are unable to hear them.
Don’t Interrupt
This is something that you will have had instilled in you since you were a toddler, although it is easy to forget from time to time. If somebody is talking to you, don’t interrupt them until they have finished what they are saying.
Tidy Up After Yourself
All colleagues are responsible for keeping their work environment clean and tidy, and you should not have to be reminded of this. If you have a cup of coffee, wash up after yourself instead of leaving your dishes in the sink. Don’t leave old food to rot in the work refrigerator. Wipe down the surfaces in the staff kitchen after you have prepared your lunch. Keep your desk tidy and well organised. These things may seem small, but by keeping on top of them you can help to instil harmony within your office.
Leave The Smelly Food At Home
Colleagues may understandably become offended if you eat your smelly tuna or egg sandwiches while sitting at your desk. Strong food odours can linger for a long time, particularly in commercial offices where the air supply is often re-circulated. I doubt your colleagues want to spend the rest of the day sitting with the stale smell of your stinky lunch. Do everyone a favour and leave the smelly food to enjoy at home. If your lunch is unavoidably smelly, then consider eating it in the cafeteria or kitchen area.
Be mindful of messy food choices too, such as pasta and soup. The last thing you need is to find half of your lunch splashed over your latest report as you hand it over to your boss.
Avoid Slang Words
Business communications should always remain formal. Never allow slang words or jargon to creep into your messages or emails. Remember that emails can provide a written trail of communications that may be kept for many years to come, so keep your communication professional at all times.
Be On-Time
One way to show that you are serious about your job is to ensure that you are always on time. On time to start work, on time for meetings, on time for presentations and on time for any other work commitments. In business, time is precious and colleagues will not be pleased if they are wasting theirs waiting around for you. If you have a genuine reason for being late, make sure you let the relevant people know beforehand.
Share The Credit
Never try to steal the spotlight as that is a sure-fire way to get off on the wrong foot with your colleagues and your boss. If something was a team effort, make sure that you identify it as such. By promoting the accomplishments of your colleagues as well as yourself, you will prove to your boss that you are a true team player, with the success of the whole team at the forefront of your mind.
Don’t Take Personal Calls
There’s nothing more distracting than trying to focus on your work while your colleague indulges in a casual personal phone call at the desk right next to you. Make sure you only reply to non-urgent personal phone calls and texts during your lunch hour when you are away from your desk. Obviously, urgent phone calls or text messages are an exception to this rule.
Final Thoughts
At the heart of business etiquette is respect for your colleagues and your work environment. If you consider how you would like to be treated as a colleague and apply this to everybody else, then you won't go far wrong.
