What is Workplace Etiquette?

As more and more employees are returning to the office, whether full-time or on a hybrid schedule, the way people interact with one another is becoming a topic of conversation. Workplace etiquette may be a concept worth revisiting, as resuming a shared workspace can create some friction. Explore our guide to workplace etiquette and learn how to create a policy in your office.

Understanding Workplace Etiquette

The term “workplace etiquette” refers to the various manners and behaviors that guide how individuals interact with one another in a professional setting. Fostering a respectful and mutually beneficial atmosphere is essential in creating a supportive culture and a workplace where people feel comfortable and want to stay.

Examples of elements that encompass workplace etiquette include:

• Respect
• Communication
• Conflict resolution
• Collaboration
• Social interactions
• Ethics

The Importance of Creating a Mutually Supportive Atmosphere

Taking steps to set expectations around etiquette in the workplace comes with many benefits. Respectful interactions and positive communication help to support better working relationships, allowing your teams to become stronger and count on each other when needs arise. A collaborative environment where everyone feels respected also fosters efficiency and creativity.

Conflicts are bound to arise in any place of work, but how people navigate and overcome them has a significant impact on all involved. Creating a step-by-step process for resolving conflicts can ensure consistency and help each team member feel like their concerns have been heard.

Ethical behavior also factors into the way your company operates. With a 10 percent rise in evidence of dishonesty in the workplace noted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), it’s clear that being honest and ethical isn’t always the norm in the workplace. Emphasizing the importance of being honest factors into an atmosphere where all feel respected, and your company should clearly state the consequences for dishonesty.

Workplace etiquette impacts more than just those on the inside. The way your employees interact with vendors, customers, partners, and others will influence the reputation of the organization. Professional conduct and constructive interactions have a positive effect on the way people outside the company view it.

Creating a Workplace Etiquette Policy

When it comes to creating a supportive workplace, various factors can influence the way people behave and interact with each other. Therefore, it’s always worthwhile to establish a policy that outlines the expectations for all members of the team. We’ve put together a few things to consider when creating a workplace etiquette policy for your organization.

Identify what to include

Your workplace etiquette policy should reflect the culture of the business and expectations that are specific to it. Some of the most common elements to include are:

• Dress code (what to wear)
• When to arrive and leave work
• How to interact with leaders, colleagues, and customers or other external groups

You may also choose to include other rules that relate to professional conduct. But a workplace etiquette policy doesn’t have to be rigid or rife with rules. Instead, it should serve to protect employees from toxic behaviors while at work, such as abuse, violence, inflammatory speech, bullying, and dishonesty. It can serve as a guidepost to influence the way team members behave when in a shared workspace and collaborating.

Highlight the importance of effective communication

The way people communicate with each other can vary widely, depending on factors like upbringing, cultural influences, and situations. When you’re chatting with friends at happy hour, you’ll probably speak a little differently than when interacting with your manager at work. But not everyone understands the differences, which can bring issues into the workplace.

In your office etiquette guide, consider describing what’s appropriate in the workplace. Profanity may be offensive to one and not remotely problematic to another, but establishing a policy that focuses on professionalism and respect ensures that everyone can feel comfortable with the way others speak to them.

Effective communication also goes beyond the choice of words. Listening to all members of the team is a method of showing respect and helping people feel heard and valued.

Enforce the policy consistently

It’s one thing to write a policy and share it for review; it’s another to enforce it fairly across the workplace. Make sure that everyone knows where to find it, and go over the information regularly to keep it top of mind. WorkforceHub makes it easy to maintain crucial documents and provide quick, self-service access. Check out the HR File Cabinet, a feature available in the time and labor platform that ensures your team members can always get the information they need.

If employees violate the workplace etiquette standards, take action. Enforce the consequences outlined and make sure teams understand why it’s so important to foster a supportive and respectful atmosphere.

By taking steps to emphasize the importance of workplace etiquette, you can reduce the risk of toxic behaviors and boost employee satisfaction and retention rates. It’s a worthwhile effort that becomes even more essential as more team members interact regularly during in-person work.