Workplace Etiquette Tips Improve Productivity

WWW.SHAPINGCHANGE.COM.AU
A 4-PART SERIES BY ROS CARDINAL
WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
TIPS FOR A BETTER WORKPLACE

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
They say familiarity breeds contempt, and considering
the average employee spends 40 hours a week in the
workplace, it stands to reason that sometimes, tension
can surface between colleagues.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
More than ever in today’s workplace, it’s essential to
have etiquette rules in place that create healthy
boundaries that allow work relationships to thrive. This
will create a workspace that’s positive with minimal
stress—which leads to higher levels of productivity and
job satisfaction.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
In this presentation, we'll discuss 5 etiquette rules you
can begin implementing in your workplace today.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
1. Give feedback mindfully
When giving feedback, do it in the appropriate arena. The
general rule is to praise in public and criticise in private. Even
when offering criticism, though, it’s much more effective to do so
in a constructive manner. You might use the sandwich
technique, for instance, which pads criticism on either side with
something constructive.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
An example: “John, thanks for hosting yesterday’s meeting. It was
very productive. One way we can build upon that productivity in
the future is by distributing agendas prior to the meeting. This
way, we don’t digress too much from the meeting’s objective and
people are more prepared to contribute to the discussion. That
said, you’re doing very well so far with following up on the action
items for each meeting.”
Teaching the sandwich method to your employees is a great way

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
Teaching the sandwich method to your employees is a great way
to improve on their communication skills and help them to
interact with each other more kindly and effectively.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
2. Minimise phone calls
If employees have an office space with a door, it should be a
general rule that they close the door when taking phone calls.
This should especially be the case when taking personal calls
(though such calls should only be taken during break times).

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
Listening to someone’s conversation can be extremely distracting
for other workers. It’s difficult to focus on your work while you’re
hearing one side of a conversation. To keep productivity at its
best, be sure to implement a rule that requires employees to
take personal phone calls only on their breaks and in an area that
doesn’t disturb others such as in a lounge or outside the office.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
3. Honor differences
In this day and age, there’s more diversity in the workplace than
ever. There’s a very good chance that in your own workplace,
there are people of different cultures, races, faiths, abilities, and
so on. As a result, it’s essential to stress the importance to your
employees of respecting everyone’s differences.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
This is a great opportunity to have a lunch-and-learn seminar
about diversity in the workplace, discrimination, and bias – as well
as ways employees can be more mindful of respecting the
diversity around them.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
One of the easiest ways to regulate this is by making your
workplace a foul-language-free zone. This doesn’t just apply to
profanity, but also to demeaning phrases, offensive remarks, or
politically incorrect jokes that might upset a good portion of
employees. Keep the workplace professional by having a zero-
tolerance policy on this type of language. Doing so will allow your
workplace to feel more inclusive and respectful.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
4. Respect personal spaces
People are very protective of their personal space, whether they
work in a private office, a cubicle, or an open space. There should
be a few general rules in place regardless of the set-up of your
workplace. For one, employees should never take items from
another person’s workspace without their permission.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
Second, employees should never go through another person’s
paperwork, emails, or personal belongings—even if those things
are left out on the desk. This may seem obvious, but you’d be
surprised how often co-workers invade each other’s privacy in
this manner. In that same vein, employees should be expected to
keep their workspace neat.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
A desk cluttered with piles of paper, coffee cups, and more will
not only distract the culprit in question, but can be a source of
annoyance for his or her neighbors. Another distraction can be
the strong smells of food for those who take their lunch at their
desk. There should be a designated place in the office for lunch,
so that employees aren’t distracted by loud chewing, slurping,
etc.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
5. Respect shared spaces
Most, if not all, office spaces have shared lounges. Such lounges
will include a shared fridge, a shared microwave, a shared
toaster, and so on. Put rules in place with a zero-tolerance policy
on lunch theft (you’d be surprised how common it is for one
employee to steal another’s lunch).

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
Additionally, regularly reinforce the importance of cleaning up
any messes/spills in the lounges and leaving the space as one
found it, so that everyone can continue to enjoy their break.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
This also applies to other areas too: if the copier runs out of
paper after you use it, refill it. If the stapler runs out of staples,
refill it. If you’re the last to use the coffee pot and have emptied it,
refill it. These behaviours show respect for your fellow employees
and also shows that you value their time.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
The workplace doesn’t have to be an environment that your
employees dread. Using the etiquette rules above, you can begin
creating a space where people feel validated, respected, and
protected. With healthy boundaries in place, people are able to
flourish and thrive, which makes for a happier and healthier
workplace all around.

WORKPLACE
ETIQUETTE
We hope you enjoyed this presentation!
Visit www.shapingchange.com.au for more resources on
leadership development, change management, emotional
intelligence, and more!

Workplace Etiquette Tips Improve Productivity

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