A couple of years back, the term “etiquette” popped up only within the elegant walls of fine dining and ballroom dancing. But of late, the rise of rules and norms in the corporate world gave rise to a novel and essential culture in the workplace, popularly referred to as “office etiquette”.
Office Etiquette is basically a set of unwritten, unspoken rules conjured up to preserve the harmony in the workplace as well as the well-being of employees who work therein. It helps employees co-exist, collaborate and establish cordial relationships with coworkers that are built on mutual trust and respect. Listed below are some of the unspoken rules of office etiquette that most organizations follow:
1. Value Time
Time is valuable and no one would like to believe that their time is less important to you than your time. If you're at work, visiting a client's office or meeting a deadline, being punctual shows that you're committed to your work and respect the other person's time. If you don't meet the deadline, your entire team will be affected. Customers expect top-quality service, so should you be late for an appointment, the customer may question the value of their money and wonder if you're worth their time. If you are getting behind, it's polite to inform the opposite person that you will be late and keep them informed.
2. Avoid Gossip
Be cautious about what you talk about and with whom. The way you conduct yourself reflects your character. So, if you express negative feelings about your colleagues, they may associate you with that negative outlook. Additionally, your colleagues may be less likely to trust you if they find you bad-mouthing others.
3. Know your Workplace
It's crucial to look around and be aware of your workplace to determine what is appropriate. For instance, start-ups may be more casual in their dress code. However, when working in the corporate world, it is possible to dress more professionally. If you work for a large organization, you will have access to in-house training. However, in smaller organizations, you will have to learn by observing others. You'll discover the values and procedures of your company as time passes. However, it's best practice to observe and understand.
4. Pick up your Mess
You wouldn’t want to be branded for not picking up your own mess. Nobody approves of a co-worker who leaves coffee cups, paper pieces or other snacks in the common dining area. Additionally, keeping your desk or workspace tidy and clean is a reflection of your professional image. It's a good idea to periodically check if you're maintaining a clean workspace.
5. Respect Others’ Preferences
Different people have different work styles. So, it is wiser to be aware of this when you work in an open workplace. There are some who prefer to blast music while others may prefer silence. If you'd like to listen to podcasts, music or other audio make sure you have headphones or find yourself a cubicle, if allowed.
6. Be Professional
As you'll be interacting with your coworkers throughout the week, it's normal to connect with them on a more personal level. If you aren't sharing anything with them, you may come off as snobby. At the same time, you shouldn't be sharing confidential information or probing others to reveal sensitive data. Similarly, when sending emails, keep in mind that there's no sense of context for adding emojis in email messages. Keep your messages brief but professional. Avoid sending anything you wouldn't want to talk about in person.
7. Introduce other people
If you have worked in the same position for a while, you would know most of your coworkers. If you get the chance to introduce someone to others, be courteous and make people feel special.
8. Switch Off your Phone
It's hard to shut down our smartphones. However, during meetings, it's not recommended to use your phone for texting or surfing the internet. This gives the impression that you aren't paying attention. It can be a negative reflection on your company if this happens in front of clients. When you are in meetings, switch off your phone or turn the phone on silent.
9. Keep your Voice to Yourself
If you're talking on the telephone, your colleagues aren't required to be aware of what the call is about. Stop screaming and shouting while talking to someone on your phone. Stay calm while you are on the phone, so you don't cause any disturbance to anyone else.
10. Dress Appropriately
This is an extremely important aspect. When someone sees you, what they first notice is your attire. Dress codes differ from industry to industry, but there is no need to dress as if you were going to a carnival. Look around and follow your co-workers’ dress code
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