Manners in the Workplace

Are you rude at work? Am I?

I once worked for a supervisor who was an infamous “close talker.” Usually when faced with a personal space invader, I take a step back. But this particular one would just get more aggressive and close the gap.

In a different office, I had a co-worker who would come to my cube within 15 minutes, literally, if I hadn’t responded to her email. I remember thinking she must have super-human powers — or not enough work to do — if she consistently responds that quickly to every message in her inbox.

In both instances, I felt a lack of consideration. Etiquette by definition is a show of respect for another. But at work, the lines are often blurred. I saw this article on CNN and it got me thinking about what’s rude and what’s not. I put my napkin on my lap, say please and thank you (well, most of the time), and keep the cell phone calls to a minimum. But I don’t really mind elbows on the table and can’t remember the last time I said “sir” or “ma’am”.

Some people and/or companies have a traditional take on etiquette while others are fairly laid back. So, I enlisted Parthenon staffers for examples of etiquette offenses that irk them. We all come from different career paths, but can agree the following items are “rude:”

• “Eating at your workstation if you’re a chomper or messy.”
• “Hovering in the doorway of someone’s office while they are meeting with someone else.”
• “Taking a phone call during a meeting.”
• “Clipping your nails at your desk.”
• “Talking loudly on cell phones in common areas.”
• “Not responding to an email.”
• “Being too loud when other people are on the phone.”

Perhaps we all can make an effort to be more conscientious.

If we’re keeping score, I’m guilty of three. What about you?

Laura is a writer, project manager and newly crowned etiquette guru for Parthenon.