Workplace Professional Etiquette

Using workplace etiquette will help you better utilize the talents your co-workers offer.

Workplace professional etiquette is not only showing respect and courtesy to your co-workers and managers, it is learning how to work efficiently as part of the team. When you employ professional etiquette techniques, you are able to work well with almost any employee in your company. Using etiquette, and finding a positive response from co-workers, can make your job easier.

Phone

Using the phone in a open cubicle environment can be difficult, but there are a few etiquette tips you can use to help make it easier on you and your co-workers. If you know your call will be a long one, and possibly a confrontational one, then take it into a conference room. Keep your voice at a personal speaking volume, and be mindful of your voice if you feel emotions starting to rise during a call. Make personal calls on your cellular phone either outside or in a conference room.

Hygiene

In a professional work environment, be conscious of your hygiene. Make sure your clothes are cleaned and presentable each day. Be sure to use personal hygiene practices such as a shower and brushing your teeth each morning. Keep yourself professionally groomed to help maintain your own personal appearance, and to keep the office staff appearance professional as well. Consult your employee handbook to make sure you follow all of the company's rules on dress code and grooming.

Meetings

Avoid taking meetings on tangents with personal concerns. Follow the agenda, and then ask questions when the meeting is over. Do not make comments under your breath that are designed to disrupt the meeting. If you disagree with someone, take it up with him after the meeting. Do not be late to meetings and do not leave early unless you have an issue to attend to.

Conversation

The workplace needs personal conversation once in a while to release tension, but do not make it a habit to constantly engage those around you in personal conversation. If you would like to discuss something with a co-worker two or three cubicles over, then get up and go talk to her. Do not shout across the room. If you are having a bad day, do not sit at your desk and yell obscenities or throw items in your cube. Leave the building and go outside to relax and then return to your desk.

References

• Work Etiquette: Telephone Etiquette at Work
• MSN Careers: Professional Etiquette You Don't Think About
• Advanced Etiquette: Workplace Etiquette

Resources

• Self Growth: Professional Etiquette Still Matters