Good Manners VS Bad Manners

“James” (name changed) didn’t realize he was causing anger and frustration among his coworkers. Because he scheduled meetings back-to-back, he would regularly show up to his next meeting 10-15 minutes late. James also checked his email messages and took cell phone calls – during meetings.

Worse yet, because James wanted his manager to view him as productive, he rarely took days off when he was sick; choosing, instead, to come to work and expose his coworkers while he coughed and sneezed his way through the day.

Sound familiar? Unfortunately, the workplace can become stressful when employees don’t follow basic office etiquette.

Why is office etiquette important? Because bad manners at work can be bad for business by negatively affecting employee morale and productivity.

To ensure a happy and productive work environment, every employee (not just management) should act as a role model by demonstrating the following good manners:

• Stay at home when you’re sick and call in in advance to let you human resource know.
• Always show up on time for meetings. If you’re usually running late, try scheduling meetings in 45 minute increments to allow enough time to get to your next one.
• Keep meetings to the scheduled amount of time. Don’t force the next group to stand in the hallway outside the conference room waiting for you and your group to finish.
• Put your cell phone on vibrate mode to prevent disturbing others.
• Pay attention during meetings and avoid multi-tasking, such as scrolling through emails on your smart phone or computer.
• Avoid wearing strong scented perfume or cologne at work.
• Be aware of how loud you speak on the telephone if you work in a cubicle environment.
• Ladies – don’t wear revealing clothing. Let others see your skills, not private body parts.
• Respect your co-worker’s property (and company property).
• Don’t take things from others without asking. Refrigerator lunch food stealers – that also means you!
• Don’t yell and scream at others. Compassion and empathy will serve you much better to earn respect.
• Dont use text messaging language on email and especially official mails. Most office mails are redirected and backed up on a server, so social emails typed  on  official email could cost you!!
• Learn whom you  can use text messaging for
• Ladies and gents and especially ladies :) , there is a dress code for every occasion, office, social, weekends, cocktails and parties.

Thats just a small tip of etiquette protocol and personal branding i can get off my head, to get a comprehensive package that will boost your business, workspace, employees, name it! 

Visit Divine Schools Africa and enroll for the next intake in Sept 7th .

 Have a blessed weekend and do please share with us your questions, queries or just say hi!!