Common Business Etiquette and Protocols

With the rise of the laid back culture in many companies, many people think that traditional business etiquette is an antiquated practice. But however many bean bags, open floor plans, ping-pong tables, and jeans in an office, there some rules you should never break. The new relaxed culture has brought a resurgence of clear protocol and an emphasis on proper etiquette to ensure an office is a safe place for everyone.

15 Common Business Etiquette and Protocols

1. Attention to Names

Titles may be out for some, but names are always a must. Introduce yourself with your full name and be specific about what you prefer to be called. On the same note, remembering a person's name shows respect for others. Ask if you're unsure how to pronounce or spell someone's name. Don't butcher it and brush it off. Also, don't give people nicknames for any reason. Call them by their name, unless they explicitly say they want to be called something else.

2. Handshakes Are Still In

Even in casual office spaces, hugs and high fives are only common between people who are friends. Stick to the classic handshake; warm, firm, and short. Avoid limp or complex handshakes.

3. Keeping Time

People still expect and respect punctuality, be it showing up to work on time, submitting a project, arriving at meetings, or anything else. Never keep people waiting. Respect people's time and show a sense of excellence and promptness.

4. No Interrupting

Interrupting people is a big no-no unless it is to warn them of impending physical doom. Fight the need to correct someone's pronunciation or ask for clarification in the middle of someone else's speech. And definitely do not talk to a coworker during a meeting while someone is speaking. Not only does interrupting someone communicate a lack of interest, but it's also disrespectful.

5. Greetings

Greetings are nice; they show that you acknowledge someone's presence. A simple "Good Morning," Good Afternoon," or even a "Hello, how do you do?" goes a long way. This promotes friendliness and helps people relate well in an office. It is also common courtesy.

6. Never Gossip

Don't be the office gossip! Whether you mean to be or not, breaking someone's confidence by sharing their problems with someone else is malicious. It is no one's business what anyone else does unless it violates company policy or the law. In which case, take it to HR.

7. Be Polite and Courteous

Being polite and courteous builds respect and good work relationships. Practice the Golden Rule--treat others the way you wish to be treated--excuse yourself before you leave a room, greet others, hold the door, offer a gentle smile, or take the time to bring coffee in for the office occasionally.

8. Maintain Proper Hygiene

Cleanliness will never stop being important. Take time to shower, apply deodorant, sanitize your workspace, and do anything else to ensure good hygiene. Being clean is a sign that you respect yourself and your coworkers.

9. Stick to the Dress Code

Even if the dress code is casual, not everything is an acceptable office clothing choice or particularly beneficial to your business career. Dress according to the occasion, company policy, and the culture. Avoid logos, clothes that are too tight or too revealing, gaudy cuts, excessive glitter, and overwhelming jewelry. Keep it simple, clean, classy, and representative of personal style.

10. No Inappropriate Jokes

You should never tell inappropriate jokes in a business setting. Whether the team is friendly or not, inappropriate jokes make people uncomfortable and often miss the mark. Avoid getting in trouble with HR because you made someone feel uncomfortable--stick to tasteful jokes.

11. Offer Praise and Gratitude

Offer thanks to any coworker who did a favor for you. Give praise to someone who did a good job or had a great idea. Remember that thank you notes and emails are classy, and people flourish when you praise them, especially if you're the boss.

12. Don't Publicly Correct Someone

Where public praise can be uplifting, public correction often causes discouragement. If someone needs correcting on timekeeping, bad language, coarse jokes, dress code, etc., call them aside and reprimand them gently. Don't do it during a meeting, in the hallway, or during a group call.

13. Check for Proper Grammar

Work, emails, memos, minutes, and speeches with grammatical errors are unprofessional. Follow proper grammar in both written and spoken communication. This communicates a sense of pride in your work and also an attention to detail.

14. Show Respect for Others' Space

Clean up after yourself, refill supplies, inform the correct person if something breaks, and put everything back in its proper place. Don't take someone else's food, don't use up someone else's ink, don't "borrow" a charger that isn't yours without asking. And definitely don't sit at someone's desk and leave it untidy. Treat every area and thing you use as if it's your own.

15. Practice Mindfulness

Be mindful of how others work and respect their process. Use the appropriate tone and volume of voice. Watch for non-verbal cues. Be conscious of body language. Put the mobile phone away or on silent to avoid interrupting someone. Don't overshare personal details.

You don't have to get rid of the bean bags or jeans to practice standard business etiquette. Simply show respect through your actions, appearance, and words.