Everything You Need To Know About Office Etiquette
Working five days a week, eight hours a day often means that we end up
spending more time in the office with our work colleagues than at home.
In order to peacefully work, live and play with our office family we
need to follow the unspoken rules of workplace etiquette.
Etiquette guidelines are important to show your manners and respect for
others to ensure a harmonious workplace. While the accepted behaviour
is different at different workplaces, there are some common practices
which can be applied to most.
1. Dressing the part
Unless you work in Hungary where shorts are considered acceptable
office attire, you should err on the side of formal for your first day
of work. While Google’s dress code is simply ‘must wear clothes’, most
other companies will require you to put in a bit more effort. Dress codes
will vary with the industry and business you are in and it’s best to
scope out your colleagues’ attire before you pull out your sequinned
one-piece.
2. Cleanliness is next to godliness
There is more to portraying an appropriate image than just choosing the
right clothes. Cleanliness is also a very important factor and taking
your personal hygiene seriously is good etiquette. No one will remember
what you wear if you accompany it with your own pungent, personal
fragrance. The state of your clothes will also reveal your attitude
towards hygiene as well as your work. Nothing says ‘I deserve a
promotion’ like a crumpled shirt with tomato sauce stains down the
front.
3. Cover up odours
It’s important to eliminate any potentially offensive odours you may be
responsible for. As covered in point number two, deodorant and
showering are not optional in the workplace. Keep your feet in your
shoes and breath mints in your pocket. Also refrain from trying to mask
strong smells with equally strong perfume or cologne, unless you want to
leave a path of nausea and gagging in your wake.
Avoid any overly strong-smelling foods that may have a way of travelling around the office. In a professional environment it is also frowned upon to emit bodily gases of any kind. If nature comes a-calling, it is best to step outside and deal with the issue in privacy.
4. Acting the part
Take heed of the wise words belted out by Aretha Franklin and respect
your co-workers. The saying, ‘treat others how you want to be treated’
is never truer than in the workplace. Make sure you listen to others and
value their opinion and, if they also follow office etiquette, they
shall do the same for you.
Teamwork requires you to be diplomatic and while this can be difficult
especially when dealing with troublesome colleagues, it will help to
ensure all hell does not break loose when you reach a disagreement.
5. Mind your Ps and Qs
Being on your best behaviour means that you cannot treat the office
like your bedroom and your colleagues like your siblings. Opening the
door for your colleagues, asking them how they are and using ‘please’,
‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’ are small acts that can make a huge difference
in your office relationships. And if you happen to enjoy a bit of
colourful language when you’re with friends, it’s best to leave it at
the office door and keep your workplace lingo cuss-free.
6. In sickness and in health
With air-conditioning systems, shared kitchens and windows that don’t
open, the office can be a breeding ground for all sorts of bugs and
bacteria. If you are sick and decide to come to work, take steps to
avoid creating an epidemic in the office, infecting all your colleagues
and bringing productivity to a grinding halt.
Take the necessary precautions to avoid spreading your germs by covering your mouth when you sneeze and cough, and washing your hands on a regular basis. Dispose of your used tissues quickly and thoughtfully. Your colleagues will not look too kindly upon your sickly state if they find dirty tissues sandwiched between important files.
7. Loud noises
Loud people, loud music and loud ringtones can make working in an
office unbearable. The more distracting you are, the more you are going
to get on people’s nerves. Unnecessary interruptions can severely
disturb one’s train of thought. Be careful that your voice is not an
assault on your colleagues’ eardrums, especially in an open plan office.
Turning your phone off or on silent when you enter the building will
ensure that no one has to share your love for Justin Bieber whenever you
receive a phone call.
8. Synchronise your clocks
It is poor etiquette to turn up late to anything, and in the office
this can be a strong reflection on your work ethic. Turning up late to
meetings can leave you frazzled and unprepared and the other party
unimpressed. Synchronise your watch with the main clock in your office
to ensure that you’re not turning up to work five minutes later than you
think you are. And if unforeseeable circumstances mean you do happen to
arrive late to work, show your good manners and stay back late to make
it up.
9. Be a team player
Working in a team environment means that it is important not to forget
your team. Never make a tea or coffee or undergo a beverages run without
consulting the rest of your colleagues. Otherwise be prepared for a sea
of beady looks eyeing you off while you obliviously sip your mocha
frappuccino.
If your office usually collects money for birthdays or even just for the weekly milk, remember that ‘chipping in’ is not voluntary. If you don’t contribute to team presents, don’t expect one on your birthday, but do expect to be labelled a scrooge for the rest of your working life.
10. Etiquette is for everyone
Remember that these rules do not only apply to the people you work
with, but also anyone else who occupies your office space. Cleaners and
deliverymen, as well as other businesses, deserve the same respect you
bestow upon your colleagues and it would be poor etiquette to neglect
them. Good etiquette is just all-round good form and should be adopted
in all scenarios, inside the office and outside, to ensure that practice
makes perfect.
source: www.careerfaqs.com.au
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