General Workplace Manners

DO

Smile and greet co-workers in passing.

Share recognition for collaborative projects.

Respect the personal space of individuals. Standing about 18 inches away is a reasonable distance for conversation.

Observe company practices in relation to courtesy titles. Polite individuals address older people and those with higher rank by "Mr.," "Mrs.," or "Ms."; but this practice depends on a company's culture.

Contribute your fair share for office treats, gifts, or housekeeping duties.

Remember that "please" and "thank you" are always appropriate.

Strive to make doctor and dental appointments for the beginning or end of the day. Ask whether you can make up the time by working late or during the lunch hour.

DO NOT

Address people as "Hon," "Dear," "Son," "Doll," or "Babe" in the workplace or on the telephone.

Be overly familiar with peers or superiors. Avoid back-slapping, nudging, hugging, elbowing, or other touching that implies intimacy

Put your briefcase or papers on someone else's desk or table.

Act like a storm trooper in reacting to smoking or smoke-permeated clothing. If you want someone to put out a cigarette, ask politely.

Assume that a shared project means that you can frequently break the concentration of a colleague who is hard at work.

Enter the closed office of a co-worker or superior. Decide whether your business is important enough to interrupt the individual by knocking on the door.

Discuss problematic topics. Avoid religion, politics, health, dieting, personal problems, and the cost of anything not work-related.

Assume that you can take home small supplies from your workplace. No matter how entitled you feel, it is thievery.