Office Ethics and Etiquette for Today’s Woman

 

Unless you work alone on a remote, uninhabited island, or in a home office; you need to be able to get along with co-workers for at least eight hours a day. Getting along with co-workers relies heavily on the basics you learned as a kid: courtesy, the golden rule and using your “inside voice” goes a long way to keep your workplace functioning smoothly and a pleasant place to be.

Please and Thank You

The common courtesies you learned when younger are still relevant as an adult. Simple things such as saying “please,” “thank you” and “excuse me” keep things civil and respectful in the office. Showing respect to the people you work with makes it a lot more likely they’ll respect you in return.

Everyone Is Busy

Think about how frustrated you get when you’re waiting on a client’s response to complete a project. You wish he’d get back to you now so you can get on with your work. Translate that into how you respond to others. Return phone calls and emails promptly.

Shared Spaces

Part of working with others is sharing space with them. Even if you don’t know your co-workers well, do right by each other by cleaning up after yourself in the break room and not leaving personal items in the bathroom.

Too Much Information

For people who’ve grown up with social media, chat rooms and instant messaging, it’s easy to forget that not everyone wants to know all your personal details. This is especially true in the workplace, where it’s important to keep boundaries between your work persona and your life outside the office.

Be a Team Player

You don’t have to like all the people you work with, but life at the office will go more smoothly if you make the effort to get along. Be pleasant and polite. Treat people with respect, whether you’re just chatting in the break room or attending a major staff meeting. Show up on time, follow the company dress code and finish your work on time.