Office Etiquette

I know better than to smack on gum or answer a tweet a message while in a meeting with my supervisor. It’s called office etiquette and unfortunately many young adults starting their careers seriously lack the knowledge of office decorum. This lack of knowledge has often blinded young adults to the fact that certain actions, words and clothing are inappropriate for the office and have a damaging effect.

Though college prepares students for the job of their dreams, office etiquette may help them keep it. Before going any further lets define the word etiquette. Etiquette means good manners. Putting the word office in front of it implies good office manners. For many, the first job after college serves as learning experience. Learning to work with co-workers is very different from school group projects. If office etiquette isn’t taken seriously consequences may follow, including termination of employment. Young adults shouldn’t expect seasoned workers to teach office etiquette. Sure, one friendly mothering type might take a young worker to the side but that is rare.

When it comes to office etiquette there are ten simple rules to follow. Once you learn these rules apply them immediately and carry them over to the next job, and the next until you retire.

From research, and personal experience, here are 10 office etiquette rules I would like to share with you:

1) Never answer your cell phone while in a meeting – It’s disrespectful and implies to your supervisor and colleagues that the meeting means little to you. It also shows what you think about them as well. This is the fastest way to get fired from a job.

2) Work clothes should always look neat and clean – Wrinkled and stained clothes scream lazy and that you don’t care how you look. Companies don’t want to be represented by employees who don’t look the part.

3) Never use profanity, even if your boss does – Be respectful of your colleagues by using professional language at all times. There is absolutely no place for profanity at the office.

4) Don’t use social networks as an outlet to complain about your boss – Companies are becoming more prone to check an employee’s social network sites before and even after you’re hired.

5) Don’t take 2-hour lunches – Someone is always watching and word will get back to your supervisor.

6) Refrain from office gossip –It creates hostility in the workplace and makes for an unpleasant work environment.

7) Keep your personal life to a minimum – Never talk about your personal problems at work. Whatever troubles are happening at home leave them there. It makes others uncomfortable and it’s annoying to hear someone complain all day.

8) Use appropriate screensavers – Drunk pictures from your vacation in Cancun as a screensaver is completely inappropriate. To be on the safe side don’t personalize your screensaver with a picture. Instead use scenery backgrounds.

9) Never steal office supplies – Its not so much what your steal, but the principle behind it. If you can steal something small it opens the door for you to steal something bigger. Remember someone is always watching you.

10) Dress, walk, talk and act professional at all times – Employees serve as the face of the company. Customers or clients don’t want to do business with a company that isn’t professional.

When landing that dream job after college take these rules to heart. If followed accordingly one can expect a smooth and possibly fun work environment.