1. Brrring, brrrring.
It's
very distracting to have to constantly answer other people's phones if
they haven't diverted them or activated their voicemail. It's just as
annoying to listen to 20 seconds of "Crazy Frog" as the ringtone on
someones mobile.
2. Respect colleagues having lunch at their desk.
You're
sitting there quietly eating a sandwich and perhaps reading a book or a
newspaper, when someone decides to come up and ask work-related
questions. Treat others on their lunch break as youd like to be treated
on yours.
3. Monitor your speaking volume.
People
always tend to speak louder than necessary when on a mobile, so make
sure you pipe down or go into the corridor. Talking to a friend from
the phone on your desk? No-one else wants to hear your conversation
about how you dumped your boyfriend or what you're planning to wear
when out tonight. Especially your boss.
4. Be mindful of others needing the printer.
"Printer
etiquette" is a phrase used widely in South Australia. It refers to
giving preferential treatment to workers printing only one page at a
time, ahead of those using half an hour and half a forest to print out
large documents.
5. Be sensitive about smells.
Limit
strong perfume, excessive body odour, and very fragrant flowers -- all
of which can offend others. Hot take-away food and instant soups can
also be very unpleasant, especially if you're twenty floors up and
relying on air-conditioning rather than being able to open the windows.
6. Be tidy in the kitchen.
Remember
when your mum would say, "Do you think this is a hotel?" Similarly, at
work, no-one wants to have to tidy up after your mess. Don't leave food
on the counter or dirty dishes in the sink for extended periods of
time. And check the fridge now and again to make sure the cheese you
bought last month hasnt sprouted a green disguise.
7. Keep your music to yourself.
Roger
Tullgren, in Sweden, managed to convince three psychologists that his
compulsion to listen to music at work should be classified as a
disability. He's now been given a dispensation to play music "really
loudly" at his new job as a part-time dishwasher in a restaurant.
However, not everyone at your office will be keen to hear your latest
discovery, so keep the volume non-existent by wearing headphones.
8. Stay home with the sniffles.
You
may feel you should be applauded for bravely soldiering into work when
ill, but no-one else will. A Kimberly-Clark report found 94 per cent of
workers admitting they still turn up for work when experiencing cold
and flu symptoms. Eighty-five per cent of these think about the risk of
passing on their illness to colleagues but go in anyway. If you
absolutely must appear, be considerate and use tissues and wash your
hands frequently to reduce the spread of germs.
9. Ask before borrowing.
Like
Gareth in "The Office", some people are fiercely protective of their
office supplies. How many times have you been on a scavenger hunt to
track down borrowed pens, staplers and scissors?
10. Be on time.
According
to a report by the BBC, two-out-of-three people regularly turn up late
for meetings. What message does it give to people if you're always
late, cancel at short notice or chat with others while a meeting is
going on? Showing respect and tact in the workplace will help you build
productive relationships.
Avoiding bad manners at work is
such a simple thing to do and can have a dramatic impact on improving
your working environment and your relationships with others.
Copyright 16/10/2007 CareerBuilder, LLC - Reprinted with permission
