Office Etiquette 101 DOs and DON'Ts

Summary

This video from the Gentleman's Gazette delves into the significance of office etiquette, highlighting its role in fostering a comfortable and efficient work environment. It identifies key 'etiquette danger zones' such as noise levels, interpersonal interactions, and common spaces, offering practical advice on navigating these areas. The script also addresses how to handle conflicts arising from etiquette breaches, suggesting direct yet respectful communication. It concludes with a call to action for viewers to reflect on their own workplace behaviors and engage in the conversation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Office etiquette is crucial for maintaining a comfortable and productive workplace.
• 🔍 Aim for 90% comfort and efficiency in the office through good etiquette practices.
• 🤫 Be mindful of noise levels and avoid disruptive behaviors like loud talking or using speakerphone excessively.
• 📞 When taking phone calls, ensure the content is appropriate for the workplace and avoid personal discussions in common areas.
• 🙅‍♂️ Refrain from physical touch in the office and maintain professional boundaries.
• 🗣️ Avoid passive-aggressive behaviors and opt for open and honest communication.
• 🗣️ Gossiping can lead to a toxic work environment; engage in conversations that build rather than divide.
• ⏰ Timeliness is key; be punctual and respect other people's time by not making them wait.
• 👔 Dress professionally and appropriately for the office setting.
• 🍽️ In communal spaces, cleanliness is paramount; clean up after yourself and respect shared resources.
• 🚗 Park considerately in the office parking lot, taking up only one space.

Q & A

Why is office etiquette important according to the video?

Office etiquette is important because it helps maintain a comfortable and effective workplace, contributing to the overall happiness and productivity of employees.

What is the goal percentage of comfort and efficiency that the video suggests aiming for in the workplace?

The video suggests aiming for 90% comfort and efficiency in the workplace, which is considered a good margin.

What are the three etiquette danger zones discussed in the video?

The three etiquette danger zones discussed are noise, interpersonal interactions, and common use spaces.

How should one handle phone calls in the office according to the video?

One should avoid talking loudly on the phone, refrain from discussing overly personal matters, and limit the use of speakerphone in the office.

What does the video advise regarding physical touch in the workplace?

The video advises against physical touch in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of being reserved and considerate.

How should one address passive-aggressive behavior in the office?

The video suggests avoiding passive-aggressive behaviors and instead opting for open and honest communication to resolve issues.

What is the stance on gossiping in the workplace as per the video?

The video advises against gossiping, as it can lead to social stratification and infighting among co-workers.

Why is timeliness important in the workplace according to the video?

Timeliness is important because it shows respect for other people's time and contributes to a smoother and more efficient workflow.

How should one handle office events according to the video?

One should make an effort to attend office events to be seen as a team player, although occasional absences are acceptable.

What are the guidelines for using common spaces in the office as discussed in the video?

The guidelines include maintaining cleanliness, not taking more than one parking space, and being mindful of community resources like coffee supplies.

How should conflicts over etiquette be addressed in the workplace according to the video?

Conflicts should be addressed calmly, rationally, and privately by directly discussing the issue with the person involved, using a respectful approach.

Outlines

00:00

👔 Importance of Office Etiquette

The paragraph emphasizes the significance of maintaining good office etiquette for a comfortable and efficient workplace. It suggests aiming for 90% comfort and efficiency through respectful and considerate behavior. The speaker also clarifies that the video assumes a safe workplace environment and advises seeking help for serious issues like harassment. The paragraph introduces 'etiquette danger zones' related to noise, interpersonal interactions, and common spaces, highlighting the need for mindful behavior regarding noise levels and phone conversations.

05:06

🤝 Navigating Interpersonal Interactions

This section delves into the nuances of interpersonal interactions at work, advising against physical touch and passive-aggressive behaviors. It stresses the importance of open and honest communication over gossip, which can lead to social divisions. The speaker also warns against oversharing personal information, suggesting that professional conversations are more appropriate. Timeliness is highlighted as a key aspect of professionalism, with punctuality and respect for others' time being essential.

10:10

⏰ Time Management and Office Events

The focus shifts to the importance of timeliness, urging employees to be punctual and efficient to respect others' time. It also touches on the etiquette surrounding office events, encouraging participation to foster a team spirit. The paragraph underscores the significance of attending such events and being a team player, while also providing tips on email communication, advocating for clarity, brevity, and professionalism.

15:11

🍽️ Etiquette in Common Spaces

This paragraph addresses the etiquette in shared spaces like the office kitchen, emphasizing cleanliness and consideration for communal resources. It advises against taking more than one parking space and encourages efficient use of shared areas. The speaker also discusses how to handle conflicts over etiquette, suggesting a calm, rational, and direct approach to address issues privately.

20:14

👕 Business Casual Attire

The final paragraph shifts focus to the speaker's attire, describing a business casual outfit. The shirt is lilac with a small houndstooth pattern, paired with a muted grey-brown cardigan sweater. The dark plum tie complements the sweater, and the speaker opts for simple silver cufflinks. The outfit is completed with black pants, socks, and black cap-toed derby shoes, reflecting a professional yet approachable style.

Keywords

💡Office etiquette

Office etiquette refers to the set of rules and conventions that dictate appropriate behavior in a professional office setting. In the video, it is emphasized as crucial for maintaining a comfortable and effective work environment. The script discusses various aspects of office etiquette, such as noise levels, interpersonal interactions, and use of common spaces, to illustrate how adhering to these norms can lead to a more harmonious workplace.

💡Interpersonal interactions

Interpersonal interactions in the context of the video pertain to the social dynamics and communications among office colleagues. The script highlights the importance of being mindful of physical touch, avoiding passive-aggressive behaviors, and refraining from gossip, which are all key to fostering positive relationships in the workplace. It also touches on the significance of timeliness and respecting others' time, which are fundamental to professional interactions.

💡Noise levels

Noise levels are a significant aspect of office etiquette as they can greatly affect the productivity and comfort of the workplace. The video script advises on maintaining appropriate volume during conversations and phone calls, and the use of speakerphone is discouraged to prevent disturbance to others. It also differentiates the considerations for noise based on the type of workspace, such as private offices, cubicles, and common areas.

💡Passive-aggressive behavior

Passive-aggressive behavior is characterized by indirect expressions of hostility, such as sarcasm or the silent treatment, which can be harmful to workplace relationships. The video script warns against such behaviors, advocating instead for open and honest communication to resolve conflicts and maintain a positive work atmosphere.

💡Gossip

Gossip in the workplace is discussed as a negative form of interpersonal interaction that can lead to social divisions and a toxic work environment. The script advises against participating in or spreading gossip, promoting a culture of respect and professionalism where sensitive information is handled discreetly.

💡Timeliness

Timeliness is highlighted as a critical aspect of professionalism, demonstrating respect for others' time and commitment to one's job responsibilities. The video script emphasizes the importance of punctuality and efficiency in meetings to maintain a productive work environment.

💡Common use spaces

Common use spaces, such as break rooms and parking lots, require a shared sense of responsibility and etiquette to ensure they remain functional and pleasant for all employees. The video script discusses the importance of cleanliness, mindful use of communal resources, and respectful parking practices within these spaces.

💡Conflict resolution

Conflict resolution in the context of the video refers to the strategies for addressing and managing disagreements or misconduct related to office etiquette. The script suggests a calm, rational, and private approach to discussing the issue with the offending party, using a respectful tone and offering solutions to improve the situation.

💡Professionalism

Professionalism is a recurring theme in the video, encompassing a wide range of behaviors and attitudes that contribute to a respectful and efficient work environment. This includes appropriate dress, clear and concise communication, and maintaining a balance between personal and professional interactions within the office.

💡Business casual attire

Business casual attire, as mentioned in the video, refers to a dress code that is less formal than traditional business wear but still maintains a professional appearance. The script provides an example of a business casual outfit, detailing the colors, patterns, and styles that can be combined to project a polished yet relaxed image appropriate for many office settings.

💡Illness in the workplace

The script addresses the issue of illness in the workplace, advising employees to stay home if they are sick to prevent the spread of germs and to ensure that they can recover without affecting their productivity or that of their colleagues. This is part of maintaining a healthy and considerate work environment.

Highlights

Office etiquette is crucial for maintaining a comfortable and effective workplace environment.

Aim for 90% comfort and efficiency in the office through good etiquette practices.

Good office etiquette involves being respectful and considerate of co-workers and the office environment.

Ensure noise levels are mindful to maintain a relatively quiet office for everyone's peace.

Avoid using speakerphone in the office to prevent disturbing others.

Close your office door if you have one to minimize noise disturbance.

Keep conversations in cubicles and common spaces professional and at a reasonable volume.

Physical touch in the workplace should be avoided due to current societal norms.

Passive-aggressive behaviors are detrimental to workplace relationships and productivity.

Gossiping leads to social stratification and should be avoided for a healthy office environment.

Avoid oversharing personal information and keep conversations professional.

Punctuality is essential to show respect for others' time and to maintain a good reputation.

Interruptions are disruptive; minimize them to maintain office efficiency.

Attend office events to be seen as a team player and to foster good workplace relationships.

Emails should be professional, concise, and free of unnecessary information.

If you're sick, it's best to stay home to maintain productivity and prevent the spread of illness.

Cleanliness in common use spaces like the office kitchen is everyone's responsibility.

Be mindful of community resources and avoid monopolizing items like coffee pots.

When addressing etiquette offenders, do so calmly, privately, and directly using a respectful approach.

If an etiquette conflict isn't resolved, consider seeking help from a manager.

Following good office etiquette can lead to being seen as a cooperative and valued team member.

Transcripts

Welcome back to the Gentleman's Gazette!

In today's video, we'll be discussing office etiquette and why it's important to maintain

it, some key etiquette danger zones, and how to mitigate conflict in the workplace.

The office, fortunately, or not, it is where most of us spend the majority of our waking

hours, that's why it's important that you always maintain good workplace etiquette because

how you deal with your co-workers and your office environment can often make the key

difference between happy and unhappy employment.

So let's get to the big question in today's video then, why is it that office etiquette

is so important?

The basic answer is that with good office etiquette everyone can be comfortable and

effective in the workplace.

Of course, 100% comfort and efficiency is an impossible ideal but we can say that 90

percent is a good margin to shoot for and by using good etiquette techniques and behaviors,

we think you can achieve 90% or perhaps even above, as far as etiquette is concerned.

As an example here, nobody has the right to absolute silence in the office at all times

but if everybody is mindful of their noise level and courteous to others around them,

the office will be relatively quiet and everyone should be able to work in relative peace.

What makes for good office etiquette then?

Simply put, having good office etiquette means that you are respectful and considerate both

of your co-workers and of the overall office environment around you.

Keep in mind that truly good office etiquette goes above and beyond the kinds of things

that you might just find in a typical employee handbook, therefore, good office etiquette

can help you navigate those sticky interpersonal situations that lie in the area between where

the handbook rules end and where basic good manners begin.

Before we move on, here is one important note, today's video is running under the assumption

that your workplace is already a safe environment.

If you encounter or are the subject of harassment, physical abuse, or any kind of safety consideration,

know that these subjects should be taken very seriously and that you should seek to solve

them via such channels as Human Resources or if necessary, by legal counsel.

With that said, here are a few situations where we think you should be especially mindful

of having good workplace etiquette.

We're going to refer to them as our etiquette danger zones.

There are three big danger zones to consider here; those dealing with noise, interpersonal

interactions, and common use spaces.

So first, let's start with noise.

The simplest thing to cover here is having good etiquette when it comes to talking.

Usually, talking too loudly or too much are the problems here.

If you're unsure whether or not you're doing these things in the office, it can usually

be as simple as asking one of your co-workers.

A related subject here is the question of phone calls, again, talking too loudly can

be an issue as well as discussing things over the phone that are really too personal in

nature and not appropriate for a workplace environment.

And of course, regarding speakerphone, just don't do it often.

The office is too public a place to have the other end of the line also audible to everyone

else around you.

Think about it this way, if you're talking for 20 minutes about the vacation you just

took and you're doing it so loudly that everyone on your floor can hear you, not only are you

wasting your own time but you're also probably causing several of your co-workers to be unproductive

too.

Of course, all of the considerations that we've outlined above are affected somewhat

by the type of space you're in, that is to say, whether you have your own office, whether

you're working in a cubicle, or if you're in a common space around the workplace.

If you do have your own office, you've got greater leeway when it comes to your personal

volume.

Just remember to close the door, if you don't do this, you'll probably garner resentment

from your co-workers especially the ones in cubicles because they don't have the luxury

of closing the door so therefore, they can't ever be in a situation where they're talking

as loudly as you might be.

On that note, if you happen to work out of a cubicle without a door, keep your volume

at a reasonable level and keep your conversations to subjects that aren't too personal.

If you're in a common space, don't take lengthy phone calls in spaces like the cafeteria.

You can answer a call in these spaces to be sure but if you sense that the call is going

to go on for a while, move at your earliest convenience to a more private location where

you can continue the call unencumbered.

Our next danger zone deals with the question of interpersonal interaction, starting as

you might imagine, with the question of physical touch.

The short answer here is just don't do it.

Today's office climate, just like society as a whole, is currently undergoing a bit

of a shift in how we view the nature of physical touch between people like co-workers or general

acquaintances.

Overall, it's always best to be reserved and considerate.

One note in particular here, just declaring to others around the office that you consider

yourself a "hugger" isn't going to cut it.

Trust us when we say that everybody thinks that kind

of behavior is creepy and inappropriate in general.

Even if you have an acknowledged workplace relationship, keep your physical interaction

to a minimum.

Nobody wants or needs to be subjected to that kind of behavior in the public environment

of the workplace.

Next, let's discuss the issue of being passive-aggressive.

The Gentleman's Gazette is headquartered in Minnesota which you may have heard is something

of a famously passive-aggressive place at times but even if it is part of the local

social culture, that's still not an excuse to be passive-aggressive within the office

environment.

This tactic which includes such behaviors as saying something slightly petty to make

others feel guilty or more generally, acting in an underhanded way to try and punish someone,

will not only affect others in the short term but will also affect you in the long term.

Needless to say, all of these effects will be negative.

Don't resort to passive-aggressive behaviors like eye rolling, the silent treatment, stalling

tactics, or sarcasm.

The only thing that these kinds of behaviors are going to do is hurt your co-workers and

damage your reputation in the long run.

Instead, your goal here should simply be to be the bigger person and choose open and honest

communication with those around you.

It will work out better.

Also, it can sometimes be difficult to call out passive-aggressive behavior in others

especially because the kind of people who use such behaviors are usually trying to avoid

conflict.

We'll talk more about how to solve these sorts of situations later on in the video but for

now, as it comes to the general topic of passive-aggressive behavior, just don't do it!

Another negative type of interpersonal behavior in the office is gossiping.

Gossip can sometimes be seen as a form of currency in offices because people do like

to be let in on secrets and they can feel special or privileged if they feel they know

something that others don't but this kind of behavior just leads to social stratification

and will ultimately lead to infighting among co-workers.

So it's best to avoid gossip, of course, there's nothing wrong with having conversations about

the latest news of the world or something like your company's latest quarterly profit

margin as long as you're discussing these topics in a measured way that isn't designed

to hurt or place blame on somebody else.

This ties into some of the earlier topics we've discussed.

If you do happen to learn something sensitive, say for example, about a death in the family

of one of your co-workers, either keep it to yourself or ask the person in question

if they would be comfortable with having that information shared among your co-workers.

It's always best to be cautious in these situations.

Overall, avoid participation in gossip especially if you're the one spreading it because it

will come back to bite you.

Again, it's just as simple as being the bigger person and choosing open and honest communication.

Here's a topic related somewhat to gossip, oversharing about yourself, your suspicious

back mole, your sex life, or you're overbearing mother-in-law are definitely not topics that

are suitable for discussion at the office.

The workplace is necessarily designed to be a professional environment so you should keep

your conversations professional.

If you do have co-workers whom you consider friends and do things with them outside of

work, those sorts of out of the office situations are where you can feel free to have more sensitive

conversations but not while you're in the office and on the clock.

This next interpersonal area is one that becomes more important with every passing day in our

increasingly fast-paced business society, timeliness.

In short, just show up on time.

If you're a person who's chronically late, you'll develop a reputation as someone who

doesn't take their job responsibilities seriously.

Also, it's important to remember that punctuality is about respecting other people's time, as

well as your own.

Other people have things they need to do and places they need to be so if everyone's on

time, things will go more smoothly.

In addition to not arriving late, don't let meetings or other types of gatherings go on

past their allotted time if you can help it.

Of course, sometimes meetings will run a little late but for the most part, it's important

that everyone try to be efficient because that way, everyone will ultimately be more

productive.

Also on the topic of respecting your co-workers time is interrupting often.

These sorts of things begin with the famous phrase "Hey, do you have a minute?" and then

proceeded to go on for another 45 minutes.

Interruptions are disruptive to everyone including the interrupter so it's important to keep

them to a necessary minimum.

A final area here about efficiency, don't waste your own time by loitering or hovering

in certain areas of the office.

For example, if you need something from a co-worker but you find that they're on the

phone when you get to them, don't stand around behind them waiting for them to finish their

call, just come back a little bit later.

Similarly, if you need to talk to somebody but you find that they're already engaged

in conversation with someone else, don't stand around eavesdropping.

Just go work on something else for a time and come back.

Next, let's talk about office events.

In short, you should always try to attend them when you're able.

Of course, missing out every once in a while is certainly fine but you don't want to develop

a reputation as somebody who's always too important or too busy to participate in office

events.

Overall, you want to be seen as a team player within your office.

To be clear, most of the situation's we're talking about here applies to events that

take place within the workplace.

You have a little bit more leeway with out of the office events like happy hour because

they're usually not required but you should still make an effort to attend these sorts

of things when you can, be social, be a team player.

Here's a quick note on the quintessential form of office communication, email.

In general, put some effort into your emails.

This means trying for proper spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc.

Again, this goes back to the topic of professionalism.

Even if you've got all of your spelling and grammar down, remember too that you shouldn't

be using an email as a chance to write the next Great American Novel.

Keep things brief, be concise, and use only the information that's absolutely necessary.

That way, everyone will get the message but they can continue working efficiently.

Our final section of interpersonal advice here has to do with illness.

In short, are you sick?

If so, you shouldn't be in the office.

A tiny sniffle or two can be alright, of course, but if you are sick enough that it's constantly

on your mind, chances are you're probably contagious and besides, you're going to be

less productive anyway.

If your company offers sick time or the option to work from home, take advantage of it, it's

going to be the best course of action for everybody Involved.

Now on to our last big etiquette danger zone, common use spaces.

The biggest issue with this type of danger zone is usually the question of overall cleanliness.

Let's start here by talking about the office kitchen or break room.

In short, keep things clean.

If you make a mess, clean it up, it's that simple.

Yes, cleaning up the messes you make is, in fact, your job, not the custodians, or your

assistants.

If you're a mature enough person to be a member of the workforce to begin with, you should

be a mature enough person to clean up your own messes.

Next, be mindful of community resources.

For example, don't take the last cup of coffee without making another pot afterward.

It's important that you remember to pay it forward.

The question of food can often be a little bit more tricky in this regard but if food

is communal, just take a reasonable portion and don't make a mess.

Those two factors combined should be enough to tow the etiquette line most often.

We've all seen the plate of food in the office break room with one little scrap left on it

because nobody wanted to be the person to take the last little piece but think about

it this way, the food was brought into the office to be eaten so as long as you haven't

over gorged yourself on too much food already, you shouldn't feel guilty about taking the

last piece if you happen upon the food when that's all that's left.

Finally, a note on one more communal space, the parking lot.

In short, don't take up more than one parking space because everyone is going to think you're

a jerk if you do and honestly, it's just not respectful behavior.

Park efficiently and keep your vehicle inside one space.

Alright, now that we've covered all of our etiquette danger zones, let's get down to

the question of how to deal with conflict in the workplace when it comes to etiquette

offenders.

Of course, you're not perfect and neither is anyone else and it's unreasonable to expect

perfection from anyone including yourself, however, if there is someone in your workplace

who's consistently breaking the rules of good office etiquette, it can lead to a demoralized

and unproductive workplace and it should be dealt with.

So the simplest way to proceed then in these kinds of situations is calmly and rationally,

personally and in private if you can help it, and directly.

To make this kind of interaction simple, use the following template.

Make sure to use the person's name and simply state the offending behavior that's going

on and the outcome that has resulted from this behavior.

Then respectfully ask the person in question if they can do something to change the behavior

in question.

Here's an example, "Hey Bill!

We've noticed recently that you've been taking a lot of your calls on speakerphone and we

find that it's been a little disruptive to people around you.

If it's okay, do you think you could maybe take your calls in a private space or just

turn the speakerphone off in the future?".

In the moment, of course, there are two broad categories of possible reactions.

The first is easier, apologetic.

That's when the person in question apologizes for the behavior and says that they'll commit

to doing better in the future.

If this happens, of course, that's the easiest road for all parties and you hopefully won't

have to worry about things continuing.

The other category of reaction then is the defensive reaction.

This is where the person in question rejects the notion that they have a problem.

If this happens and the conflict isn't getting resolved, it might be a good time to enlist

a manager's help better yet if you yourself are the manager and you see this type of reaction

occurring between coworkers use your power to defuse the situation so things can be resolved

calmly.

In conclusion, if you follow all of the advice we've put forward here today, you should hopefully

be seen by your co-workers and your superiors as someone who's cooperative and a valued

member of the company.

So, what do you think of our list?

Were there any etiquette tips for the workplace that you think we forgot to mention?

If so, let us know in the comments section below.

Also, be sure to check out our video playlist on different etiquette situations here and

as always, a final note, to subscribe to the channel so videos like these can come straight

to your inbox.

In today's video I'm wearing what could probably be considered a typical business

casual outfit on that note if you'd like to see some other suggestions for business casual

outfit ideas you can check out our previous video here my shirt is lilac in color and

it features a small houndstooth pattern which we could call puppy tooth it has French cuffs

but I've got them configured in a barrel cuff style today to accommodate the sleeves of

my sweater speaking of the sweater it's a cardigan style and a nylon wool blend and

it's in sort of a muted grey brown color my tie is a blend of wool cotton and cashmere

in a dark plum color and it also features a faint houndstooth or puppy tooth pattern

even though it's at roughly the same scale as the pattern on my shirt the pattern on

the tie is muted enough that it almost appears as a solid from a distance and the plum color

picks up some of the brown tones of the sweater that's why I

decided to wear all three pieces together my cufflinks are plain silver in color and

they feature a relatively simple design I don't remember the exact materials of construction

but as you can see I'm not really wearing them to be seen today anyway as to how I've

constructed my cuffs and how I'm wearing the sweater my pants and socks are both simple

black in color and my shoes which you've seen a few times before by now are black cap toed

derbys