Office Etiquette, Manner and Decorum

What is Office Etiquette/Decorum?

Office Etiquette or Decorum is about conducting yourself respectfully and
courteously in the office or workplace.

What does Office Etiquette/Decorum Include?

1. Office attire 2. Punctuality

3. Attendance 4. Courtesy
5. Protocol 6. Interpersonal relationship
7. Work Accomplishment 8. Attitude (towards stress)
Office Attire Etiquette/Decorum
 Wear appropriate office attire (Uniform if required), for example correct footwear, not
thongs (flip flops) - they are strictly casual or beachwear

 No exposed midriff to display tattoos and body piercing.

 Be neat, clean and as conservative as the business requires you to be
 Even on “free day”, do not use revealing attires.
 Be simple! (Simplicity is beauty anyway)
Office Punctuality Etiquette/Decorum
 Indicating in the DTR the time of arrival earlier than the actual time of arrival

 Indicating in the DTR the time of departure later than the actual time of
departure.
 Tolerating other co-workers to always come late.
 Habitual tardiness and half day work.
Etiquette/Decorum on Office Attendance
 Report to work regularly.
 Do not be intermittent in your attendance
 Inform your superior/co-worker, if you cannot report to work.
On Office Courtesy
 Do not cough or sneeze in anyone's direction. Use a tissue, if possible, to
contain the germs and then say "Excuse me"
  Keep your interruptions of others to a minimum and always apologise if your
intrusion is an interruption of a discussion, someone’s concentration or other
activity
 Speak clearly without shouting. Loud people are a vexation
 Say, “Please; Thank you; You’re welcome”, as part of your everyday courtesy
 Always act with honesty and dignity
 Chewing gum and popping bubble gum in the presence of co-workers is neither
cool nor dignified
 The essence of good manners and etiquette is to be respectful and courteous at
all times and with everybody
 Therefore, treat your co-workers, cleaners, maintenance people and others with
respect and courtesy
On Office Protocol
 Never ignore or by-pass protocol; it will cause you severe trouble
 Study carefully the protocols of the Office you will be working
 If you do not know, then ASK!
 This may include:
i. Answering phone calls
ii. Receiving documents
iii. Releasing documents
iv. Greeting clients
v. Dealing with superiors
Interpersonal Relationship
 Be helpful and co-operative with each other
 Be discreet and compassionate in your criticism of a co-worker
 Don’t gossip about any co-worker’s private life
 Don’t hover around while waiting for a co-worker to get off the phone. Leave a
note for them to call you or return later
 It’s not a good idea to take your iPod to your office. It hinders communication
 Avoid sexist comments about a co-worker’s dress or appearance
  Take responsibility for your mistakes, apologise and go about correcting the
mistakes
 Apologise if you are clearly in the wrong. If in doubt, apologise anyway. It’s no
big deal
 Never blame someone else if it is your mistake
 If your boss criticises your work, enquire about what precisely is wrong with it.
Consider the comments, discuss them amiably if you disagree with the
comments but defer to the bosses opinion if he/she is adamant
 The boss always gets the benefit of the doubt. Don’t argue with the boss
 Show consideration for other people’s feelings
 If there is conflict, do not get personal in your remarks
 Never be petty or small minded in your behaviour
 Always be particularly respectful to those older than yourself even if they are
junior to you in position
Decorum on Work Accomplishment
 Don’t brag your accomplishment
 Don’t be boastful
 Let your superior and co-workers appreciate your worth!
 Be humble!
Attitude Towards Stress
 How do you act when you are stressed?
NEGATIVE STRESS MECHANISM
1. Criticizing yourself (negative self-talk)
2. Chewing your fingernails
3. Becoming aggressive or violent (hitting someone, throwing or kicking
something)

NEGATIVE STRESS MECHANISM

1. Criticizing yourself (negative self-talk)
2. Chewing your fingernails
 3. Becoming aggressive or violent (hitting someone, throwing or kicking
something)
4. Drinking alcohol
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
1. Do not bring personal emotions to the office.
2. Do not be afraid to ask questions no matter how silly you think they seem.
3. Do not insert emoticons or multiple exclamation points into work emails.
4. Do not forget that at work socials, you are still at work.
5. Do not use social media during office hours unless company policy allows it.
6. Do not sleep during working hours.

Postscript
“Government service demands great sacrifice. One who cannot live with the modest
salary of a public office has no business staying in the service. He is free to seek
greener pastures. The public trust character of the office proscribes him from employing
its facilities or using official time for private business or purpose.”
(Biyaheros Mart Livelihood Association Inc., vs. Cabusao, Jr., 232 SCRA 707)