Bad manners at work can be bad for business

Bad manners at work

Justice Simango
From talking loudly on one’s cellphone and texting during meetings to dressing inappropriately and showing up late, bad manners are not just bad form, they are bad for business.

It has been articulated before that good manners will open doors that the best education can’t. Not surprisingly, there’s a satisfactory bit of research to prove the point too.

Bad manners can negatively affect employee’s morale and productivity. Office etiquette encourages a happy and productive work environment, where every employee and not just management, should be a role model by demonstrating good manners.

It’s never too late to polish up your workplace etiquette standards especially now when jobs are scarce. Below are some office rules for well groomed professionals that will help you correct your missteps during your professional growth.

Respect people’s personal space

Respect your co-worker’s space. Even if there are cubicles or open desks, they all deserve respect. Knock on the cubicle door or otherwise announce yourself and refrain from leaning on someone else’s desk. In some workplaces, privacy is difficult to find. If you overhear a conversation, practice “selective hearing”.

Your best bet for being treated as a professional at work is when you start respecting a closed door. If a co-worker has shut the office door, stay out, even if he/she doesn’t look busy, “knock before you enter”.

Mind the volume of your conversations

“Do not cell yell”. People tend to speak three times louder on a cellphone than in person. Mind your volume. Everything you do during the day is a reflection of your professional self. The situation deepens when a client observes your bad behaviour.

Telephone etiquette at the office is very important because if your voice is too loud or the conversation is something private, it can be disruptive to those around you. Consider closing your office door and lowering your voice when speaking in person or on the telephone.

Dress to Express

Dress appropriately for the work place. In other words, save the see-through dresses, sandals with socks, Lycra bike shorts, muscle shirts, and plunging necklines for other occasions.

 Professionals do not “Chew the fat”

Sharing professional information is wonderful, gossip is not. Only discuss specific matters directly to the individuals. Keep in mind, the business etiquette principles concerning confidentiality. Skip the childish pranks. I’m sure your close friends “get” your dry sense of humour, but you should keep personality quirks in check when dealing with co-workers.

It’s OK to have strong views, but it’s not OK to push those views on your co-workers or pick fights with them. Over-sharing your personal life should also be avoided.

Respect company property

Lifting sticky notes from the supply closet or taking a company car to run personal errands is outside the parameters of workplace etiquette. Samson from Gweru knows two co-workers who lost their jobs after misusing company vehicles. One of them stole the company vehicle and was unfortunately involved in a head-on collision during the after work rush hour inside the busy Gweru CBD.

The other employee used to pirate using the company staff bus during the late hours of the day, getting extra cents. I don’t know what position you hold in your organisation but always remember that anything that might be considered stealing is grounds for dismissal.

Be sensitive to scents and smells surrounding you

This rule does not only apply to workplace etiquette, but social etiquette in general. Take it easy with the cologne. You don’t want your co-workers to work from the window or sneeze all day. There’s no harm in asking if fresh flowers and potpourri bother co-workers before installing them in your space.

Not only that, avoid foods with strong smells and aromas that will travel through the office. When eating at your desk or at open shared areas, the mixture of food smell will be unpleasant. Office etiquette rules suggest that you dispose empty food containers and other items where they won’t contribute negatively to the office atmosphere.

Keep your workplace clean and neat at all times

Generally, less is better when it comes to office or cubicle decor. Use discretion when displaying personal items such as family photos and mementos so as not to overdo, clutter and destruct your work area. Empty your bin every morning to avoid flies and pests. Open your windows for ventilation.

Use shared areas with respect and courtesy

Workplace kitchens can be the biggest source of co-worker tension. If you expect everyone to clean after themselves, model that behaviour yourself. Wash and return all kitchen items to their proper place. Clean up any spills and wipe the table. Take only what belongs to you in the refrigerator. Remove all items at the end of your work week and toss or recycle.

Rest rooms run a close second to kitchens as annoyance pots. After use, wipe the countertop and sink, of any spilled water or soap. Make sure the toilet is clean for the next user. Notify the paper attendant if supplies are low or cut and of any plumbing problems.

If problems arise, handle them privately

If clients see you clash with a co-worker, you’ll both come off as unprofessional. Treat your colleagues with respect and hopefully they’ll follow your lead.

Fighting has never been and will never be part of professionalism and conflict management.

Be a team player

Lots of companies are short-staffed which means many employees are shouldering a bigger workload. Make it a point not to overburden your co-workers by shirking your tasks.

Don’t sink to someone else’s standards

Co-workers’ bad behaviour is not a ticket for you to follow suit. Always keep your poise and do the right thing, even if you’re doing it alone. It matters and will be noticed.

-Justice Simango is Business Etiquette Expert, who writes in his personal capacity. He is the Vice President Membership for Supreme Toastmasters Club. Feedback: [email protected]. Whets App: +263 717 566 382

You Might Also Like

Comments