When new employees join the company, do you know some basic workplace etiquette? After working for a few years, are you familiar with the unwritten rules of workplace etiquette? Office etiquette is like dating; being too forward can make people "dislike" you, while being too distant may appear cold and impolite. It's the bond of interpersonal relationships, the embodiment of office culture, and an excellent display of personal quality. If you don't know it yet, let the workplace forum teach you.
Career development starts with etiquette.
We spend more and more time in the office, and we interact with our colleagues more than with our family members. Colleagues are the people who work with us, and how well we get along with them directly affects our career development and promotion. If the relationship between colleagues is harmonious, we will feel happy and our work will proceed smoothly, thus promoting our careers. On the contrary, if the relationship is tense and conflicts often occur, it will not only affect normal work but also seep into life.
First of all, we must respect each other.
Why should mutual respect be put first? Because mutual respect is the foundation for handling any kind of interpersonal relationship, and the relationship between colleagues is no exception. For relatives and friends, rudeness can be compensated by family ties, but for colleagues whose main bond is work, once mutual balance is lost, the damage caused will be hard to heal. In the workplace, you should show respect for your colleagues', superiors', and subordinates' privacy and habits. Only when you develop such habits mentally can you handle things easily in your office. We summarize these aspects as follows:
(1) Distinguish between public areas and personal space.
(2) Keep your desk tidy.
(3) Control the volume of conversations and maintain appropriate distance.
(4) Avoid creating unpleasant odors in the office (such as eating or applying excessive perfume).
Having this psychological warning, we should now talk about some details, as details can also determine fate.
First, "Follow the host's convenience" should be remembered.
When entering someone else's office, knock gently first, and enter only after hearing a response. Remember not to read others' letters or documents on their desks or browse through their business card boxes without permission. When visiting, don't take off your coat unless the office owner suggests it, nor unbutton or roll up your sleeves, and don't place your clothes or briefcase on tables and chairs. Although we don't advocate being overly stiff, being too "casual" won't win you favor either.
Second, the office refuses "emotional pollution."
Everyone has bad moods sometimes, but avoid bringing emotions into the office. Crying, shouting, or doing other emotionally charged things in the office won't earn you sympathy but will increase troubles. Even if colleagues are willing to comfort a wounded soul, the office isn't an appropriate place. If you really can't hold back sadness or control anger, it's suggested that you leave the office, take deep breaths, or do something that relaxes you.
Third, courtesy comes first when interacting with colleagues.
In the office, both superiors and colleagues should be treated politely. Don't skip greetings just because you see each other every day. Calling each other brothers or giving nicknames, such as Dragon Brother or Tiger Brother, might make people think you're in a gang. Peers can call each other by their names, while superiors and seniors should be addressed as "Mr." or by their titles. Gender equality should be emphasized in the workplace; inappropriate physical contact or horseplay is considered unseemly...
Fourth, punctuality is key in the workplace.
Develop the habit of being punctual. You should arrive at least 10 minutes early at the office, which helps demonstrate efficiency. Although it might just be 5 or 10 minutes, it allows you to prepare fully and start work in high spirits. Conversely, even being late by 1-2 minutes can make you appear lacking in dedication. Although your superior or colleagues may not say much about your tardiness, that doesn't mean they don't care. The key is, how could bonuses possibly go to someone who is always late?
Fifth, don't lose out for small benefits.
Using company computers to check stock market trends, faxing or copying personal items, taking pens from the administrative department home, or even not leaving bathroom tissues behind—these phenomena can be seen in many companies. Imagine, when a person always thinks about their own interests at work, would the boss be willing to entrust important tasks to this person? Promotion opportunities would then seem very far away.
Sixth, material exchanges should be clear.
Between colleagues in the same office, there may be borrowing money, items, or gifts. Each transaction should be clearly recorded. Even small amounts should be noted in a memo to remind yourself to return them promptly, avoiding forgetfulness and misunderstandings. Offering a receipt when borrowing money or items from colleagues can enhance their trust in you. Whether intentionally or unintentionally taking advantage of others materially will cause discomfort in the other person's mind and lower your standing in their eyes.
Seventh, don't gossip about others' privacy.
Everyone has "privacy." Gossiping about others' privacy not only damages their reputation but also tests your own character, potentially causing tension or even worsening relations.
Eighth, if a misunderstanding occurs, apologize actively.
In the workplace, frequent interactions with clients and colleagues inevitably lead to occasional mistakes. If a mistake happens, you should actively apologize to the other party. For misunderstandings, you should also explain proactively. Holding grudges for too long can create friction in future interactions, affecting work cooperation.
Additionally, there are small matters in the office that are often overlooked, especially for newcomers to the workplace. These seemingly trivial matters are actually a litmus test for an employee's character:
1. Phone calls:
Generally, each person's desk in a company is equipped with a phone, usually with domestic or international long-distance capabilities. However, some companies have coin-operated phones specifically for private calls, reminding everyone that company phones are for business use, not for casual chatting or personal matters.
2. Paper:
Many companies have strict requirements for paper usage. If one side of a piece of paper cannot be reused for printing or copying, it can be simply bound together as scratch paper or used to paste invoices for financial reimbursement. There is always another use for it, so it shouldn't be discarded casually.
3. Cups:
Disposable paper cups are generally only for guests. During meetings in the company, you often see guests using paper cups, while employees use ceramic or glass cups of various styles.
4. Electricity:
During lunch breaks or when the office area is unoccupied for a long time, lights and computer monitors should be turned off voluntarily. If you visit a company during lunchtime and find dim lighting and computers seemingly off, don't worry—it's definitely meal and nap time.
5. Private conversations:
Many companies have dedicated meeting rooms for visits from private friends. Typically, guests aren't allowed into work areas. Moreover, there are relatively strict time regulations, allowing such visits only during breaks, unless it's an emergency, and they require brevity.
The editor of Southern Television believes that among people's interactions, etiquette is the most basic element. Specifically regarding the workplace, there are categories like Office Lady etiquette, fresh graduate etiquette, telephone etiquette, dress code etiquette, etc. By profession, there are etiquettes for civil servants, secretaries, hotel staff, etc., and of course, there are etiquettes to note for job interviews and job hunting. Among these many classifications, performing well in your workplace story depends on mutual respect, fostering harmonious career development.
Source: http://orange.hitvs.cn/bbs/BBSTopicRead-lounge-329486-1.htm