The specific rules of office etiquette can vary between companies, but following the fundamentals will always be a way to show respect in a professional setting. Office etiquette creates a workplace where your employees feel valued and comfortable — both vital for allowing them to do their jobs well.
With the right tips and practices to promote workplace etiquette, you can set the stage for respectable workplace behavior to become a daily habit in your organization.
Office Etiquette Meaning
Office etiquette refers to the general manners and conventions employees are expected to follow in the workplace and when interacting with their co-workers, supervisors or direct reports. Office etiquette rules determine what behavior is acceptable and what should be avoided.
Beyond promoting good manners, workplace etiquette aims to create a considerate and collaborative environment so that everyone at the company can thrive. Encouraging your team members to treat each other with kindness and respect can boost productivity and increase employee engagement.
Office Etiquette Tips
The rules of office etiquette govern a wide range of behaviors, covering everything from how employees should dress and communicate to how they should behave in communal spaces. While there are many ways to practice proper etiquette, here are some essential workplace etiquette tips to help you and your employees build healthy habits and contribute toward a positive atmosphere.
1. Be Early
Timeliness is a crucial part of office etiquette. When employees are on time, they show that they value their co-workers’ time and respect others’ priorities. While being on time is nonnegotiable, being early is a testament to your employees’ commitment to their roles.
As an office leader or manager, you should arrive punctually for meetings, finish tasks before they are due, and show up to work a few minutes early. Modeling good behavior can motivate your direct reports to follow suit and nurture a courteous culture.
2. Dress Appropriately
Most workplaces have a different dress code — some are more casual, whereas others require business professional clothing. Regardless of your organization’s specifics, employees should look clean and wear modest clothing to comply with dress code etiquette. Your team should also avoid wearing very strong perfume or loud jewelry, which can distract their co-workers.
Consulting with professionals specializing in workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) can be beneficial when setting the dress code. Doing so can help you create a fair dress code that is inclusive and conscious of cultural differences.
3. Practice Mindfulness
In shared spaces such as work areas or a kitchen, your team can practice being mindful of their officemates by:
- Reducing noise: Ask employees to mute their devices or wear earphones to eliminate notification sounds. They should also take phone calls outside and be cautious of having conversations at their desks.
- Eating in designated areas: Ask employees to eat lunch in the dining area, as eating at their desks can lead to distracting smells. Doing so will also encourage employees to take lunch breaks.
- Cleaning up: Once employees have finished using the kitchen or dining area, they should follow office kitchen etiquette by throwing trash away, washing dishes, and wiping down surfaces. They should also keep the workplace tidy by putting communal tools back in their place.
- Respecting boundaries: If employees need to borrow something from a co-worker, they should ask first. Employees who are clearly busy with work should be left to focus.
A quiet, clean and distraction-free working environment can help employees stay focused.
4. Communicate with Care
Employees have many opportunities throughout the workday to communicate with each other, whether in a meeting or a friendly conversation. Your employees can follow good office etiquette by being conscious of how they speak:
- Be polite: Employees can make their co-workers feel much more comfortable by greeting others by name.
- Avoid gossip: If employees face a challenge, they should speak to the person responsible — you can mediate if necessary. Gossiping has no place in a healthy work environment and can lead to division and distrust.
- Consider body language: Nonverbal communication is equally important as spoken words. Employees can show others they are listening by making eye contact and nodding. A smile can also go a long way.
- Think about the topic: Office etiquette for whether employees should discuss topics like politics can be divisive. However, HR leaders can help employees learn to keep conversations respectful, even with differing opinions.
5. Engage in Acts of Service
As much as office etiquette is about respecting others, it is also about kindness. Encourage your employees to lend a helping hand to their co-workers, provided they can do so while still meeting deadlines. Employees helping others may facilitate bonding and allow your team members to form friendships, leading to a positive work environment.
Bringing in treats such as cookies or sandwiches is also a great gesture for your team, especially when celebrating an achievement or experiencing a high-stress period. By engaging in acts of service in the workplace, you can inspire employees to do the same, such as offering to take their co-workers’ orders during a coffee run.
How to Foster Office Etiquette in the Workplace
As workplace etiquette is often considered a sign of professionalism, many companies offer training to their employees to foster office etiquette. According to a survey of 1,548 business leaders, 45% of the companies provided etiquette classes, and 60% planned on making etiquette training compulsory. By offering training such as courses and workshops, you’ll set your employees up for success and lay the foundation for a respectful and kind work environment.
You can also reinforce positive office behavior amongst employees by:
- Communicating what is expected: Clearly define your company’s office etiquette rules and communicate these regularly to employees. For example, you could email a weekly tip to promote practices like being mindful of focus time or reminders about the dress code.
- Leading by example: Company leaders and managers should embody proper workplace etiquette. Your team looks up to you, and when you demonstrate the rules, you set the tone for everyone else.
- Creating visual reminders: Put up signage around the office to help employees remember your organization’s etiquette rules. For example, signs in the kitchen can prompt employees conduct proper office kitchen etiquette by cleaning up. You can also label communal supplies to remind your team to return everything to its correct place.
- Recognizing good behavior: If you notice your employees doing an impressive job following office etiquette, reward them. This can be as simple as organizing an office lunch or hosting a fun event. Acknowledging your team’s wins will also increase morale and contribute to an appreciative environment.
- Taking suggestions: Give your employees a chance to share their thoughts through a suggestion box or anonymous survey. They may have helpful ideas for improving office etiquette or concerns you have yet to consider.
Order Corporate Catering From Apple Spice Catering
Whether you need a delicious catering option for an upcoming office etiquette training workshop, an office lunch to reward good workplace behavior, or you want to treat your team in an act of service, you can rely on Apple Spice for the best corporate catering. Using only premium ingredients, we’ve catered to businesses across the U.S. for over 30 years.
When you order catering with us, you’ll have the peace of mind that your employees will receive a fresh meal delivered right on time — even if you placed a last-minute order. We also always go the extra mile for special dietary requests. Learn more about our corporate catering services and how Apple Spice can help on any work occasion.
