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Office etiquette and professionalism is important because it lays the foundation for productivity, efficiency and cohesiveness.
10 Tips For Office Etiquette Training
1. Use Wisdom When Communicating
Sharing sensitive information appropriately can be tricky. Verbal communication is usually more effective than electronic because it minimizes the likelihood of a mis-communication – that can easily happen with email or text.
For example, if you need to inform an employee that their work schedule is changing, a face-to-face conversation will allow them the opportunity to ask questions and eliminate any confusion.
2. Respect Authority
Everyone has a boss. We don’t always agree with the decisions that are made, but it is important to treat those in authority with respect.
Professionals understand the importance of respecting those in authority. Strive to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.
Sometimes you are in the middle of a conversation with someone and a co-worker will walk up and interrupt the conversation.
If you approach a couple of people engaged in a conversation, don’t interrupt and politely wait until they are finished.
3. Show Up On Time To Meetings
Being late for meetings is rude and affects the flow of the meeting and team dynamics.
Be considerate of others, and if you are invited to attend a meeting, show up on time.
4. Respond to Emails
Always try to respond to emails in a timely manner. It is not only courteous to respond quickly to an email, but it can also affect the productivity and efficiency of the organization because the sender is often in a holding pattern until they hear back from you.
For example, if someone from the purchasing department emails you with a question about an order, they can’t place the order until you respond to them.
5. Be Polite
Most people were taught to be polite as children. Polite means saying please, thank you and having good manners.
Courteous behavior goes a long way and should be the expected approach to communicating.
Be considerate of others and clean up your mess in the kitchen or lunchroom.
6. Maintain a Neat Desk
Maintaining a neat and orderly desk supports efficiency and productivity.
Take a few minutes at the end of every day to tidy up your desk and get reorganized. Tomorrow, you’ll be happy you did.
7. Arrive to Work on Time
Arriving to work on time is critical and can impact your long term employment. Get in the habit of arriving 15 minutes early and see how impressed your boss will be.
8. Speak Quietly
We all know the “loud” person in the office. They often make a commotion without even knowing how distracting they are.
Be aware of your surroundings. When you’re on the phone, conversing in the hallway or visiting a coworker at their cubicle, be sensitive to others working and speak quietly.
9. Don’t Pace While Talking on Your Cell Phone
Pacing up and down the hallway while talking on the cell phone is rude and distracting.
Personal phone calls should be minimized at work and these conversations should happen in a private area or office.
If you sit in a cubicle, and you get a personal call on your cell phone, you should either excuse yourself to go outside, use a conference room or office.
10. Show Up On Time To Meetings
Being late for meetings is rude and affects the flow of the meeting and team dynamics.
Be considerate of others, and if you are invited to attend a meeting, show up on time.
