7 Tips for Proper Office Etiquette

1. Respect calendars and status updates.

Many offices use shared online calendars and messaging systems for employees to communicate with one another. If someone has scheduled something on their calendar, or set their status to unavailable, then respect those messages. Don’t schedule something when you know they’ll be busy or interrupt something already planned.

2. Use your words.

Texting your friends and emailing your boss and co-workers are two completely different things. While abbreviating words, using slang, and emojis have become acceptable in some applications, your work email isn’t one of them.

When you email someone at work you want to show respect. Always use full words. For instance, “u” is not the same thing as “you” (and the same goes for “r” and “are”, and “y” and “why”). Similarly, the emojis you text to convey confusion, happiness, or anger are also inappropriate at work. Don’t make people play Pictionary to decipher an email, just use your words and your co-workers will better understand what you’re saying.

3. Put down the cell phone.

In today’s world, most people don’t stray far from their cell phones. However, while at work, there are some instances when you need to cut the cord and get old school. Yes, you will have to put down your phone.

During meetings, when someone is speaking, or when you’re supposed to be working, you need to put your phone away. It’s incredibly rude to be face-down scrolling through social media when someone else is speaking, and it may even get you fired. If you can’t resist checking your notifications every couple of minutes, put your phone in a drawer or leave it in your car.

Speaking of notifications…turn them off! Your phone should not make noise while in the office, so be sure to start each day by turning off the sound and getting mentally prepared for a phone-free work day.

4. Be inclusive.

No matter where you work or what you do, you’ll come into contact with a variety of people. The golden rule is to treat others how you’d like to be treated, and that’s exactly what you should do. If you’re going out to lunch or happy hour with some co-workers, invite everyone. Leaving a person out can really hinder that person’s experience at work and overall team morale

5. Use your “inside voice”.

Have you ever tried to make a phone call or have a conversation but someone is speaking so loudly that you can’t concentrate? Well, the same annoyance that you probably felt then is what your coworkers will feel now if you talk, chew, or laugh loudly in the office. As such, it is important to be mindful of your office manners at all times.

Be respectful of the people around you and how you may be distracting them. If you need to meet with multiple people, don’t do it in an open area. Schedule a meeting in a conference room so you can collaborate without affecting the non-involved. Take private phone calls out of the office and keep a pair of headphones by your desk if you need to listen to audio on your computer. This will make for a more peaceful and effective work environment.

6. If you’re sick, stay home.

We know missing a day at work can be hard and leave you swimming in email, but if you are sick, you need to stay home and take care of yourself.  Not only will you recover quicker if you take time to rest, but you also won’t be flooding the office with germs and putting your co-workers at risk.

Better yet, if you have the option to work remotely, then you can finish a little work at home in between naps and bouts of Nyquil. If you cannot avoid going into work and need to brave the outside world, you need to make a concerted effort to protect the people around you.

Bring tissues, medicine, hand sanitizer, and whatever else you need to keep your germs as far away from your co-workers as possible.

7. Keep it clean.

Your mother is no longer here to clean up after you, and no one else wants to either. Shared spaces like kitchens and conference rooms should always be left clean and tidy. Rinse out your Tupperware and old coffee mugs. Wipe up spills and throw away your trash. Your co-workers probably won’t notice your positive contributions, but if you don’t help out you could get a bad reputation.

These office etiquette rules are a great place to start with ingratiating yourself amongst your co-workers. Most of the same manners we expect outside of the office are also expected inside. Make work more enjoyable by keeping these 7 office etiquette tips in mind. Your co-workers and superiors will appreciate your company and respect you personally and professionally.

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