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1. SESSION 2:
COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE AT
THE WORKPLACE
Workplace Culture and Etiquette

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Define workplace culture and workplace etiquette
2. List the importance/benefits of workplace culture
3. Provide 4 workplace culture artifacts and behaviours, two from each
category
4. Explain why it is important for an organization to have a standard workplace
attire.

3. DEFINITION OF WORKPLACE CULTURE
A common set of beliefs, values, meaning and expectations
shared by members in a work setting that dictates the type of
activities and behaviours assumed by those members.
Schein, 2005

4. IMPORTANCE OF WORKPLACE CULTURE
• Increases productivity and performance among employees
• Contributes to better clients’ satisfaction
• Increase employees punctuality and attendance
• Ensures better product quality
• May reduce employees turnover

5. CATEGORIES IN WORKPLACE CULTURE’S ARTIFACTS AND
BEHAVIOURS
1. Design & Structure: degree of formality, division of labor, organizational
chart, decision-making process, employee incentives.
2. Systems & Procedures: routine, protocol, written policies, communication
flow, orientation process, work roles , work schedule, name display, mission
statement, performance reviews, staff meetings.
3. Physical Artifacts: furniture arrangement, workspace, technology, the
building facade, shared equipment.
4. Social Artifacts: rituals, customs, celebrations, gathering places, routines,
employer-sponsored events

6. DEFINITION OF WORKPLACE ETIQUETTE
Expected behaviors and expectations for individual actions within
society, group, or class. Within a place of business, it involves
treating coworkers and employer with respect and courtesy in a
way that creates a pleasant work environment for everyone.

7. BASIC WORKPLACE ETIQUETTE
1. Monitor the volume of your conversations.
• Be sensitive to how loudly you may be speaking. Consider closing your office door
and lowering your voice whenever speaking in person or on the telephone.
2. Keep personal telephone conversations and emails brief and at a
minimum.
• Be ever mindful that others are nearby and that this is a place of business. Do not use
the company telephone, fax, or email, for any inappropriate and personal matters.
3. Avoid the urge to be "helpful" in areas best left to the other person
to handle on their own.
• Privacy is difficult to find, if you overhear a private conversation, practice selective
hearing. Your best bet for being treated as a professional at work is to keep all
workplace conversations professional.

8. BASIC WORKPLACE ETIQUETTE
4. Sharing professional information is wonderful, gossiping is not.
• Only discuss personnel matters directly with specific individuals, superiors, and
management. And always keep in mind business etiquette concerning confidentiality.
5. Be sensitive to scents and smells surrounding you.
• This rule does not only apply to workplace etiquette, but social etiquette in general.
Save cologne and perfume for social occasions, and ask if fresh flowers and potpourri
bother co-workers before installing them in your space.
6. Avoid foods with strong smells and aromas that will travel throughout the office.
• When eating at your desk or in shared areas, as great as French fries, Chinese food,
and Indian food are, smelling them together in the same room and office can become
unpleasant. Office etiquette rules suggest that you dispose of empty food containers
and other items where they won't contribute negatively to the office atmosphere.

9. BASIC WORKPLACE ETIQUETTE
7. Keep your personal workspace clean and neat at all times.
• Generally, less is better when it comes to office and cubicle decor. Use discretion
when displaying personal items such as family photos and mementos so as not to
overdo, clutter, and obstruct your work area.
8. Restrooms run a close second to kitchens as annoyance spots.
• After use, wipe the countertop and sink of any spilled water or soap. Be sure the toilet
is clean for the next user. Notify the proper attendant if supplies are low or out, and of
any plumbing problems.

10. BASIC WORKPLACE ETIQUETTE
9. Use shared areas with respect and courtesy.
• Workplace kitchens can be the biggest source of co-worker tension. If you expect
everyone you work with to clean up after themselves, model that behavior yourself.
Some basic business etiquette tips is to wash and return all kitchen items to their
proper place, clean spills, and wipe countertops and tables as needed. Help maintain
supplies as needed.
10. Maintain all shared items in "like new" condition and return
borrowed supplies.
• Leave the photocopier in working condition and be sure to take back that borrowed
stapler with at least a few staples left inside. If a machine stalls or jams, take time to
undo the jam or to alert the proper person to attend to it. We all expect and want to be
able to use items and equipment when needed.

11. WORKPLACE ATTIRE ETIQUETTE
Formal Wear at the Workplace
-Basic Guideline-

12. GENERAL GUIDE FOR MEN ATTIRE
Solid color, conservative suit –depends on the industry. If it is business
related, stay on the conservative side.
• White long sleeve shirt –Depending on your suit color, you can also wear a blue or
cream colored shirt.
• Conservative tie
• Dark socks, professional shoes
• Very limited jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Go easy on the aftershave or cologne
• Neatly trimmed nails

13. SUITS
• Business formal attire wear (suits and neckties, sometimes called international
standard business attire)

14. TIES
Dos
• Good quality
silk tie in a
conservative
solid colour
• Subtle colour
and pattern
Don’ts
• Too bright
• Ugly bold patterns
• Pictures and words

15. SHOES
Dos
• Leathers loafers
with
conservative
buckle
• Dark brown
lace-ups or
loafers
Don’ts
• Casual
• Bucks

16. BASIC LOOK

17. GENERAL GUIDE WOMEN ATTIRE
Solid color, conservative suit –depends on the industry. If it is business
related, stay on the conservative side.
• Coordinated blouse
• Moderate shoes
• Limited jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Sparse make-up & perfume
• Manicured nails (Neat can do)

18. SUITS

19. SHIRTS
Dos
• Solid colour
• Lightly
Patterned/
Stripped/
Checkered
Don’ts
• Too bright
• Loud Pattern
• Short Sleeve

20. SKIRTS AND PANTS
Dos
• Tailored
pants
• Knee
length
skirt
Don’ts
• Short skirt
• High slit skirt

21. SHOES
Dos
• Dark
coloured
leather
pumps
• Closed toe
• Heel height
no higher
than 3”
Don’ts
• Bright colour
• Open toe
• Sandals
• Heel height over 3”
• Strappy Sandals

22. BASIC LOOK

23. National Attire
National attire is considered formal in Malaysia.
• Type of national attire:
• Baju Melayu
• Baju Kurung
• Baju Kebaya
• Sari
• Punjabi Suit
• Cheongsam

24. National Attire - continue
Complete with
Songkok and
Sampin and
buttoned up.
Not to be worn
with other type
of pants such
as jeans or
khakis.
Baju Kurung
should be
worn
according to
your own
comfort.
It should not
be tight and at
an appropriate
length.
Punjabi suit
should be
appropriate
and
comfortable.
It should not
be tight and a
complete suit.

25. Attire Summary
Not recommended Recommended
Men • Jeans are always wrong
• Never roll up the pants no matter
how cool it looks at the time.
• Sleeves should always be rolled
down, not up.
• Shoes that are too casual.
• Black, polished shoes
• Jacket and pants
• Collared shirt buttoned to the top with
tie
• Neat haircut
Women • Shirt too short and too bright
• Heels need to be lower to the
ground.
• When showing skin, the less the
better.
• Longer skirt on or very close to the
knee
• Sensible shirt with no plunging
neckline
• Conservative colours

26. Tutorial questions
1. Define workplace culture and workplace etiquette using your own words.
2. Why is workplace culture important/ what are the benefits of workplace
culture?
3. What are the four workplace culture and artifacts? State two from each
category.
4. In your opinion, why do you think it is important for an organization to have a
standard workplace attire?