Tips

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.

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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.

Many employees have one thing in common — every week, they count down to Friday. One way to boost employee spirits is with “Fun Fridays.”

Why Host Fun Fridays at Work?

Fun Fridays make Fridays even more exciting! Employees feeling stressed or those looking to celebrate a week full of wins could each benefit from Fun Friday office events. They allow colleagues to bond outside the cubicle and can nurture team morale.

Fun Friday Ideas for Work

Consider these Fun Friday themes to help boost morale and get employees excited:

• Beach escape: Cater picnic foods, give away sunglasses and play games like cornhole. Use this theme to cheer up employees on a drab winter day.
• Scream for ice cream: Set up an ice cream bar complete with toppings such as sprinkles, chocolate syrup, strawberries, walnuts, cookie crumbles, cherries, candies and chocolate chips.
• Pajama palooza: Encourage team members to wear their coziest PJs. Set up a tea station with honey and sugar to enhance the relaxing atmosphere.
• Ugly sweater spectacular: Give a prize to the employee with the ugliest sweater, like a custom trophy.
• “Bring your pet to work” day: Let employees bring their furry friends to the office. Pets will love getting out of the house for an adventure, and employees will appreciate having a buddy nearby.

Fun Friday Office Activities

Here are office games and activities you can incorporate into the themes above:

• Trivia: Friendly competition meets team-building with this Fun Friday office game. Try creating your trivia questions from employee-submitted fun facts about themselves.
• Raffle: Raffle off prizes like a movie theater gift card, car wash voucher or snack box. Whether you charge for raffle tickets — perhaps to support a local charity — or offer free tickets, the chance of winning a prize is enough to get employees excited.
• Guess whose photo: Have every employee submit a baby photo and give a prize to whoever gets closest to unscrambling the mystery.
• Karaoke: Coax employees out of their shells with a fun-filled karaoke session.

Food Catering on Fridays

With corporate catering services, you give employees something to look forward to every week — a fresh and delicious catered lunch. Employees can fuel up with tasty meals before a rousing game of trivia or rushing to the ice cream bar.

Take These Fun Friday Ideas to the Next Level With Apple Spice Catering

Apple Spice has provided corporate catering services for more than 30 years, so you can trust us when you want to enhance your Fun Fridays. We place names on every boxed lunch, so you can hand out meals quickly without disrupting whatever exciting activities you’ve got going on. Learn more about our corporate catering services, or find a location near you!

Feeling tired in the afternoon at work is common. No matter how much sleep we get at night, many of us have a dip in productivity that usually occurs toward the end of the work day. Energy management looks a little different for everyone, but there are some things we can all do to beat midday fatigue and stay productive.

How to Beat Midafternoon Fatigue

When extreme midafternoon fatigue is getting you down, it might be time for a break. Take a deep breath and give one of these tips a try:

• Eat lunch: Sometimes a good meal is all you need to beat midafternoon fatigue. Carbohydrate-heavy meals can increase your serotonin levels, often making you feel more tired after you eat. A lunch that’s rich in protein and other nutrients will improve your attention span and give you a bigger, more sustainable energy boost. Eating smaller portions throughout the day can be better than eating one large meal, so you can also try snacking when you need a burst of energy.
• Exercise: Physical activity is a great way to boost your energy levels throughout the day. Whether it’s a light jog on your break or a chair yoga session at your desk, moving your body can alleviate some midafternoon fatigue.
• Listen to music: Listening to soft music while you work can improve your mood and help you maintain energy and focus. Familiar songs make the best background for long, repetitive tasks.
• Get some sun: Sitting in the sun for a little while every day can do wonders for your energy. Sunlight reminds your body that it’s daytime and you should be awake rather than wanting to rest. The vitamin D you receive from the sun can also boost your immune system to improve your overall well-being.

Trust Apple Spice Catering for More Than Corporate Catering

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Taking breaks is the best way for employees to stay happy and healthy throughout the workday. Some people skip their lunch breaks, thinking they’re being more productive — but these breaks can actually boost productivity. Learn more about why lunch breaks matter and how to encourage your employees to take them.

The Importance of Lunch at Work

Lunch breaks are an important part of the day. They allow employees to take a breather and recharge themselves with a nice meal. By encouraging your employees to take lunch breaks, you can help them be happier and more productive. Let them know about the biggest benefits of staff taking lunch breaks, including:

• Enhanced productivity: Whatever the task at hand, people need breaks to rest their minds and restore their energy. Lunch breaks allow your employees to separate themselves from their work, relaxing and refueling at the same time. When they return, their energy levels will be higher, and their stress levels will be lower.
• Less burnout: Over time, burnout at work can lead to reduced energy levels and a loss of motivation. Regular breaks can help employees avoid burnout. Encourage them to take lunch and to leave their desks during these breaks. This physical distance will stop other team members from approaching them with more work while they rest. It can also help them detach for a little bit and refresh their bodies and minds.
• Relief for the body and mind: Taking lunch breaks reduces back pain for employees who sit at a desk all day. A midday break gives them the chance to stretch their legs. Lunch breaks are also good for mental health, which is vital to overall health and employee performance. Taking the time to eat and chat with others is good for emotional and mental well-being, and it can build camaraderie within your team.

Get Employees to Take Lunch Breaks With Corporate Catering

Providing a delicious lunch for your employees will make them even more likely to take lunch breaks. Thanks to Apple Spice Catering, this is an affordable and easy-to-implement option for any workplace. Our corporate catering services provide food for offices and corporate events.

Catered lunches at the office can do wonders for employee morale and motivation. Get the most out of your staff and teams by giving them a nutritious and tasty meal with Apple Spice Catering. Contact us to find out more about our services and our menus.

Creating a healthy workplace culture is important for promoting teamwork and friendships among employees, increasing efficiency in the workplace and allowing workers to feel valued. In this article, we’ll point out some negative work environment examples and indicators, then discuss ways to improve negative work culture.

What Is Negative Culture?

A negative or toxic work culture refers to a business environment in which employees aren’t respected, heard or valued — this results in an overall lack of teamwork, communication and productivity.

What Causes a Toxic Work Environment?

In a negative work environment, an employer typically doesn’t show interest in their employees — they merely view them as workers that benefit the company rather than real people with needs, families and personal lives outside of work. This lack of regard and empathy quickly leads to a toxic work environment.

Signs You’re Part of a Negative Work Environment

A negative work culture can be identified by a few prominent characteristics. Here are some things that create a negative work environment:

• Gossip: A negative work environment often results in division and distrust among employees, resulting in rampant office gossip.
• Lack of values: Core values are the heart of the workplace — they demonstrate positive leadership and set an example for workers. In a negative work environment, these values are either nonexistent or neglected by the employer.
• Dysfunction: In a negative workplace, there’s constant dysfunction and confusion. Rules and policies are unclear, employees are unsure of their responsibilities and many are left out of the loop. This often stems from a lack of proper training for new employees.
• Playing favorites: In a negative work environment, employers tend to favor certain employees over others. Less favored employees do not receive the same level of treatment or respect.
• High turnover rate: High turnover can be a clear sign of a toxic work environment. If you find that employees are constantly quitting, you may need to evaluate your workplace practices and figure out what’s driving workers away.

How Leaders Can Deter a Negative Environment

If you’ve identified any of these characteristics in the office and want to make a change, here are some strategies for changing the culture of the workplace:

1. Strong Communication

Effective communication is crucial to fostering a positive work environment. Here are six ways you can do this:

1. Provide constructive feedback: If an employee needs to be corrected on a certain aspect of their job to improve performance, it’s important to guide them rather than reprimand them. Offer them kind, constructive feedback to help them grow and learn. Additionally, be sure to discuss this with them in private rather than in front of the whole office.
2. Promote effective verbal communication practices: Establish effective verbal communication through in-person meetings and conversations. If any employees work remotely, you can stay connected with them through video conferences.
3. Practice strong nonverbal and written communication skills: Maintain eye contact and show interest through body language and facial expressions when speaking to your employees — this can help them feel heard and valued. Additionally, use polite and professional language when sending an email, memo or another form of written communication.
4. Encourage and answer questions: Allow employees to ask questions whenever possible. This helps clear up any potential confusion and helps them improve job performance.
5. Schedule meetings with employees when necessary: Regular one-on-one meetings with employees are a great way to evaluate performance, progress, strengths and weaknesses. This provides them with the personalized care and attention needed to grow and thrive.
6. Establish clear goals and expectations: Gather your employees to outline clear goals for the company and specific ways to achieve them.

2. Employee Bonding

Creating opportunities for employees to bond and form friendships can help stimulate a positive work environment. Here are some ways to promote employee bonding in the workplace:

1. Organize team lunches at work.
2. Identify points of conflict and work to resolve them together.
3. Set company goals and celebrate achievements as a team.
4. Organize social events to connect outside of work, such as a company picnic, dinner or happy hour.

3. Effective Training and Onboarding

It’s critical to implement a strong training program for new hires. This helps familiarize them with the office, policies and responsibilities and strengthen their skills to perform their jobs well.

To create an effective training and onboarding program for new employees, you can:

1. Make them feel welcome by giving them a tour of the office, taking them to lunch and introducing them to co-workers.
2. Provide proper resources such as a mentor, training manual and technology-based learning.
3. Familiarize them with tasks and procedures so they fully understand the expectations of the job.

Additionally, here are some things to avoid with new employee orientations:

• A nonstructured training process
• Overloading new employees with information
• Large amounts of paperwork right off the bat
• Vague instructions and unclear responsibilities

4. Stress Management

Often, a negative work environment and lack of productivity can stem from high levels of stress. Here are three ways to help create a more relaxed environment and help employees deal with stress at work:

1. Encourage employees to take breaks.
2. Set realistic expectations so employees can effectively meet deadlines.
3. Permit flexible hours and scheduling for employees.

5. Comfortable Workplace

It’s important to create an office environment that helps employees feel comfortable at work. This can increase productivity and reduce stress. To create a comfortable workplace, you can invest in high-quality computers and ergonomic desk equipment. Windows that allow for plenty of natural light are also great ways to create a calming atmosphere.

Additionally, you might consider setting up a coffee bar in your office’s break room or providing recreational areas for employees. Finding ways to make the office more comfortable can improve focus and concentration at work, promote employee well-being and increase overall efficiency.

6. Employee Appreciation

A crucial element to building a positive work environment is making sure your employees feel appreciated for the work they do. This can make all the difference between a positive vs. negative work environment.

To promote employee appreciation and recognition, you can look for opportunities to praise your workers, ask them how they’d like to be recognized and reward them for hard work. Incentive programs, gifts and bonuses are effective ways to motivate employees and recognize their achievements.

Benefits of Improving Work Culture

There are multiple benefits to improving a negative work culture into a positive one:

• A better image for the company
• Development of teamwork and friendships
• Increased productivity and organization
• Lower turnover rate

Ultimately, every successful business with high employee satisfaction rates has a positive work culture. Companies that don’t prioritize a healthy workplace will experience numerous negatives — investing in your employees and building a positive environment can only help your brand thrive.

Start With Ordering Corporate Food Catering to Treat Your Team

By incorporating these practices, you can help prevent negative work environment effects and build a healthy office environment. To encourage employee bonding and express your appreciation for the work they do, order corporate catering from Apple Spice for your next office meal.

With quality customer service, delicious sandwiches and fresh-baked desserts, your next workplace gathering is guaranteed to be a hit. Order corporate catering to be delivered to your workplace today!