Office Etiquettes

Politeness and proper decorum are not outdated issues in the workplace of the '90s---according to Paula K. Morning, an independent business consultant and director of development for the SOS Community Crisis Centre in Ypsilanti. Take charge of what is yours, maintain proper decorum at all times and always treat others the way you want to be treated. Here are some office etiquettes that one can follow.
Punctuality

To be on time is very important especially if you have an appointment. It shows that you respect the time of your colleagues and in turn it will compel them to respect your time too. Always keep in mind that ‘Time and tide wait for no one’.

Stay Away From Gossip

It can cause a lot of unnecessary stress which should be avoided at all costs. You would not want someone to gossip about you and neither will the next person. In some cases, if the source of some malicious gossip can be traced back to you, then your job can be in jeopardy or at least your reputation and respect.
Be Polite

You must not be loud in the professional work environment, be soft while you are on the phone or while talking to a colleague. If you have received a personal call on your mobile phone then walk down to the corridor to take the call. Taking care of this will show that you respect the work that your colleagues are doing by not disturbing them with your loudness.
Avoid Strong Perfumes

If you use strong perfumes, you can end up suffocating the entire place with your perfume which is closed and the air conditioners do not provide solutions to this. Moreover, I would also advice you to avoid bring strong smelling lunch like fish to office especially if you are planning to have it at your desk.

Say Sorry

Accept your mistake if you are wrong. Accepting your mistake will not make you vulnerable to any danger rather it will make you respectable in others’ eyes. Your work will also become unstained with the passage of time.

Dress Properly

Many offices have a predefined dress code that has to be followed very strictly. However, if you do have the privilege of working at a place which does not define a dress code, then it is up to you to dress appropriately. Office is not a party place and you will have to dress in a way that commands respect both from your colleagues and clients.

Be Regular

People should see you in office. Too many offs would show your unimportance at office. The work may also suffer on the other hand. This habit is a real threat to your job as well.

Always Remain Fresh

Do not show your feelings and expressions of what is happening outside the office. Office is not the place where you should want others to sympathize with you. What has happened in your house or with your friends or in university has nothing to do with the office.

Ask Before Borrowing

If you are at good terms with your colleague then it may appear alright if you borrowed a stapler or a marker from their desk without asking. Well, the fact of the matter is that it is not alright. It is imperative that you ask and then borrow. This attitude of yours will ensure that people also treat your things with the same respect and your things are not missing (read borrowed) when you get back to your seat after a meeting.

These are just some basic etiquette that you can follow in a professional work environment. However, it is more important to ensure that to behave decently and courteously. I truly believe that if you treat people in the way that you would like them to treat you, then it is more than half the battle won and people usually end up respecting to equally.

Email at : adeeb.hassan@hotmail.com