2. 2
Objectives
ï§ To define workplace etiquette and stress the
importance of creating a work environment
conducive to positive interaction among
employees
ï§ To identify behaviors considered important for
maintaining workplace etiquette
ï§ To develop skills in addressing coworkersâ
behaviors that are unpleasant, rude or
offensive
3. 3
Etiquette: Some Definitions
ï§ âThe practices and forms prescribed by social
convention or by authority.â
ï§ âRules governing socially acceptable
behavior.â
4. 4
How Do You Score?
1. I say âgood morningâ to co-workers when I enter the
office each morning.
2. I clean up after I use the kitchen, cafeteria or snack
area.
3. I say âthank youâ when someone does something
nice for me.
4. I arrive on time for meetings.
5. I keep my anger under control.
5. 5
6. I think itâs okay to tell jokes about race or sex as long
as they are tasteful.
7. I think itâs okay to âdrop inâ on co-workers if I feel I
have something I want to tell or ask them.
8. If I send an email message, I make sure that it is
relevant, appropriate, clear, and checked for spelling
and grammatical errors.
9. I am respectful of co-workersâ workspace, e.g., not
using their desks or computer, separating my
belongings from theirs.
10. I make promises to others that I am unable to keep.
6. 6
Scoring
Q 1-5: 1 point for True; 0 for False
Q 6, 7: 1 point for False; 0 for True
Q 8, 9: 1 point for True; 0 for False
Q 10: 1 point for False; 0 for True
7. 7
Score Interpretation
0-5 Uh oh, itâs time for charm school. Seriously, you seem to be
committing a number of etiquette faux pas. Hasnât anyone said
anything to you about your behavior? If you keep it up, your
career is probably going nowhere (and you may not have a
job).
6-8 Not bad. You seem to have your office manners mostly in
control. But donât stop hereâtake a look at areas you can
improve upon and you should see your career rolling forward.
9-10 Congratulations! You are probably one of those people
described as âa pleasure to work with.â Your mannerly behavior
and sensitivity to others should move you far along on the road
to success.
9. 9
Employees Are Bothered by Co-workers Who:
ï§ Have poor personal hygiene
ï§ Leave old and/or spoiled food in the refrigerator
ï§ Donât clean up after using the office kitchen, sink, restroom or
appliances
ï§ Leave trash or personal belongings in other peopleâs work spaces
ï§ Donât follow through when they say they will do something
ï§ Donât acknowledge you unless you speak to them directly
ï§ Use language that is overly familiar, e.g., calling you âhoneyâ or
âdearâ
ï§ Wear clothing that is dirty, too casual, too seductive or distracting in
some other way
ï§ Flirt with coworkers, vendors or customers
ï§ Wear too much perfume or after-shave
10. 10
More Examples
ï§ Drop in on you while you are working and donât ask if itâs okay to
interrupt
ï§ Habitually arrive late at meetings
ï§ Gossip
ï§ Have outbursts of anger or yell and curse
ï§ Say negative things about other employees behind their backs
ï§ Brag
ï§ Talk too much about their personal lives
ï§ Speak too loudly on the telephone
ï§ Eat food at their desks that has a strong smell
ï§ Tell jokes that involve race, gender, sexual orientation. religion,
ethnicity or national origin
11. 11
And More
ï§ Are too âtouchy feelyâ
ï§ Invade your personal space
ï§ Send sloppy email messages
ï§ Borrow things but forget to return them
ï§ Play music in their cubicle that others can hear
ï§ Forget to return the restroom key or put it in the wrong place
(or even take it home by mistake)
ï§ Donât say âthank youâ
ï§ Waste your time
ï§ Donât return phone calls
12. 12
And More
ï§ Keep asking you the same questions even though you have given
them answers previously
ï§ Start meetings late and/or donât end them on time
ï§ Donât pick up their completed copies from the copy room or pick up
pages they have sent to the printer.
ï§ Donât check faxes or copies they have made to make sure that all
the pages are theirs
ï§ Carry on loud conversations outside of your office or cubicle
ï§ Borrow money and forget to return it
ï§ Frequently complain and/or criticize others
ï§ Block walkways or doorways when carrying on conversations
ï§ Donât pay attention when you are speaking to them
13. 13
And More
ï§ Keep you waiting
ï§ Leave you voice mail messages that are difficult to
understand (in particular, those who say their phone numbers
so quickly you have to listen three times to get them right)
ï§ Use emoticons (those little faces that express an emotion) in
office email
ï§ Leave the coffee pot empty
ï§ Forward you on email everything they think is interesting
without asking you if you want to get this information
14. 14
Scenario #1
A few employees who speak a language other than English
sometimes communicate with one another in that language in
your workplace. Some employees think this is fine and none
of their business. Other employees feel uncomfortable and
left out when in the presence of these employees. What do
you think? Does workplace etiquette demand that employees
should always speak in a language that everyone can
understand?
15. 15
Scenario #2
Helen, a new employee, shares a cubicle with Dorothy, a long-time
employee of the company. Dorothy had the cubicle to
herself for quite a long time and had been using the whole space
as if it were hers. When Helen first moved in, Dorothy cleared off
the second desk area. As time passes, however, she has been
slowly taking over more and more of Helenâs space. Helen now
feels that she is working in Dorothyâs cubicle, not a shared
cubicle. Helen has made a few comments like, âGee, itâs getting
cramped in here,â but Dorothy either doesnât get the point or
doesnât want to. What should Helen do now?
16. 16
Scenario #3
Johnâs co-worker in the next cubicle has a habit of
constantly clearing his throat, snorting and making other
unpleasant sounds. John has tried to ignore this behavior,
but finds it extremely distracting. Should John just work
harder to ignore this behavior (he wonders if perhaps the
coworker has some health problem that is causing this);
counter-attack by making equally unpleasant noises; speak
to the co-worker; or go directly to HR to complain?
17. 17
Scenario #4
Your office has provided a spacious kitchen with a large
refrigerator, a microwave and a coffee maker. Most of the
employees using this space are respectful of othersâi.e.,
they clean up after themselves, remove old food from the
refrigerator and make a new pot of coffee when the pot is
empty. Unfortunately, there are a few employees who are
discourteous and careless. The behavior of this small group
has led to both resentment among their tidier coworkers and
annoyance that everyone else has to pick up after them.
What should be done to improve this situation?
18. 18
Some Final Thoughts
You donât have to read Miss Manners to learn how to
have good manners. Workplace etiquette makes the
work environment respectful, pleasant, and
productive.