IT'S BEEN said that good manners will open doors that the best education cannot. Not surprisingly, there's a good bit of research to support the point, too.
A recent survey by OfficeTeam found that 80% of executives say clothing affects an employee's chances of earning a promotion.
In a separate survey, the company also found that nearly 40% of managers do not respond favourably to social media "friend" requests from employees, while 46% aren't keen on connecting with their boss on social media.
But leading the way in terms of contributing to poor form in the work place - and not all that surprisingly - is the inappropriate use of technology.
In fact, a recent study by Robert Half Technology found that 64% of surveyed chief information officers said the increased use of mobile devices, including cellphones and tablets, has led to a significant increase in breaches of workplace etiquette.
That's up from the 51% who reported failures in etiquette just three years ago.
The Protocol School of Washington offers the following dos and dont's on appropriate behaviour in the workplace:
• Don't cell yell. People tend to speak three times louder on a cellphone than in person. Mind your volume.• Do respect people's personal space while on the phone. A 'safe cell distance' is considered to be about 3 metres.
• Don't check your phone during meals and meetings. Instead, keep phones off or on vibrate and pay attention to and engage those around you.
• Do dress appropriately for the work place. In other words, save the see-through dresses, sandals with socks, Lycra bike shorts, muscle shirts, and plunging necklines for other occasions.
• Don't "borrow" from other people's desks or (dare I even say it) lunches without permission.
• Do clean up your messes, be it in the kitchen or at the copier, and don't expect others to clean up after you.
• Don't gossip. Over-sharing about your own personal life should also be avoided.
• Do be on time for meetings, conference calls, and appointments.
• Don't sink to someone else's standards. Just because coworkers behave badly is not a reason for you to follow suit. Always keep your poise and do the right thing, even if you're doing it alone. It matters and will be noticed.
If a coworker's behaviour is infringing upon your ability to perform your job well, address it directly with the individual.
Clearly state how their behaviour is impacting you and, perhaps, others. Kindly request a change, emphasising how everyone could benefit from it. If the problem persists and is truly more than a mere annoyance, then bring it to the attention of your supervisor.
On the other hand, if a change happens, by all means be sure to say "thank you".
- REUTERS