Office etiquette refers to the unwritten code of conduct that employees should follow to be successful at work. It includes being respectful, courteous, and using proper manners with others as well as workplace technology. Common courtesies like saying "please" and "thank you" demonstrate respect for colleagues, clients, and superiors. It is important to communicate clearly, take a team approach, and handle any conflicts privately to encourage positive working relationships.

2. OFFICE ETIQUETTES
• Quite simply, proper office etiquette refers to the unwritten/ understood code of
conduct employees should follow in order to be successful in the workplace. It’s a
set of norms widely accepted as appropriate behaviour.
• Office etiquette may include having good manners and being respectful and
courteous of others, as well as using workplace technology in a suitable manner.
Proper office etiquette isn’t hard to learn, but it’s a skill you should constantly
practice and improve upon throughout your entire career.

3. PLEASE AND THANK YOU ARE STILL MAGIC
WORDS
• When we were children, “Please” and “Thank You” were referred to as “magic
words” that were to be used when we were asking for something and then, in
turn, receiving something. Although we’ve all outgrown the reminders from
our parents, these words have certainly not lost their enchantment. In fact,
these words are so important almost every language has some equivalent
with similar meaning.

4. PLEASE AND THANK YOU ARE STILL MAGIC
WORDS
• Please and Thank You Are Still Magic Words
“Please” and “Thank You” still have a prominent place in the business world,
and you should use them at every opportunity. By using common courtesies,
you demonstrate that you respect the people with whom you’re dealing. Keep
a strong Customer Service attitude and clients, colleagues, and more
importantly, your superiors will realize you’re a go-to person.

5. BE A TEAM PLAYER
• Take time to listen to other people’s points of view. You may not always
agree, but it’s likely you can learn something new by being open to other
perspectives and respectful of other people’s opinions. Also, make a point not
to overburden your coworkers by avoiding your responsibilities.

6. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK
• Sure, your close friends “get” your dry sense of humor and blasé attitude, but
you should keep personality quirks in check when dealing with coworkers and
clients.

7. RESPECT A CLOSED DOOR
• If a coworker has shut his/her office door, stay out –– knock before entering –
ask for permission and don’t interrupt.

8. SKIP THE CHILDISH PRANKS
• Any joke made at your coworker’s expense—or worse, a customer’s—
probably isn’t all that funny.

9. TAKE A BREATH BEFORE YOU HIT “SEND"
• Think before you “send”.Remember that once you hit "send" from an office
computer (or to or from a work account), your words are now company
property. Don't use slang or text-speak. s should be handled as a formal
letter. Don't forget: s can be kept on the company's record for years.

10. KEEP YOUR PERSONAL MATTERS AND
OPINIONS AT HOME
• It may be OK to have strong views, but it’s not OK to push those views on
your coworkers or pick fights with them when you have a difference of
opinions.

11. WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE, EVEN WHEN YOU ARE
AWAY FROM YOUR DESK
• Anything you do during the day—even while you’re on break—is a reflection
of your professional self, especially when a client might witness or hear what
you are saying.

12. IF/WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE, HANDLE THEM
PRIVATELY
• If clients see you clash with a coworker, you’ll both come off as
unprofessional. Treat your colleagues with respect and hopefully they’ll follow
your lead. Bring any escalating issues to your supervisor’s attention and/or
HR.

13. HERE ARE A FEW ADDITIONAL OFFICE ETIQUETTE TIPS
TO ENCOURAGE POSITIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
• Be friendly and encouraging to co-workers.Be responsible. If you say you’re
going to do something, do it. If you’re unable to complete a task for some
reason, make sure information is communicated to all team members who
would be impacted.Be on time. Being punctual says a lot about your personal
values.Don't get too personal at work. When you disclose too much, you
become vulnerable and it's also not conducive to a business
environment.Rise above office gossip. No one wants to earn the reputation of
being the office busybody.

14. ENCOURAGE POSITIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
• Understand people are unique and dwell on their positive, not their negative
qualities. It’s acceptable to not be friends with everyone, but try to at least be
professional and cordial in your interactions.Don't interrupt your colleagues.
Not only is it disrespectful but it's a sign of poor social skills.Don't be loud. It's
not just rude, it's intrusive. Keep quiet and don’t invade other people's
personal space. Share the credit. You will come across as a team player.

15. AND…COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE
• And…communicate, communicate, communicate! Your co-workers are not
mind readers, so make sure you’re communicating with them and your
manager on a regular basis.