Your Work Etiquette Is Critical In Today's World - It Could Mean Keeping Your Job

Your work etiquette is more important than it ever has been. Why? Because there are so many people that are out of work! You can't afford to demonstrate poor manners in the workplace. 

For the purposes of this page, we are going to address the two sides of workplace etiquette. The first side deals with showing manners and being polite to win over the people in the workplace. The other side of work etiquette deals with working hard to win the respect and admiration because of what you are able to do. Ready? Let's get to it then. 

Work Manners and Politeness

The manners that are used in the workplace are what is going to get you noticed. If you are viewed as a person that causes drama and friction, you could be the first one to go when there is a need to reduce the workforce. 

That is why it is so important to treat people the right way. If you are offensive to people, they will not want to work with you and will do what they can to work against you. 

A friend of mine once told me about something his Grandmother taught him. She said "Be careful how you treat people because you never know how it is going to come back and hurt you." I have seen cases where co-workers would fight against each other and then that person becomes their direct supervisor. In some cases, this would make it so that you were the first one on the chopping block when it came time to reduce the staff. 

You have probably heard the saying that it is not what you know but who you know. I think this is only partially true. I think it is important that people know you, but it is equally important how they think of you. If they think you as a person that causes problems or is lazy, you will not have the edge that you need in the workplace. 

Be polite to people at work. Say hi to them and take an interest in how they are doing. Follow the golden rule and treat everyone like you want to be treated. There is nothing more powerful in the minds of people than to know that you care about them. 

Work Etiquette - Working Hard

The other part of this is that you do not want to be lazy or the person that is not contributing to the company. Part of how people view you is not only how you treat them, but also how you perform on the job. When you have both pieces of this working for you, you will be too valuable to let go. As new opportunities come available, you will be considered for them. 

In order to be viewed as a hard worker, take on new responsibilities or projects. This will show that you can handle additional responsibilities and that you are looking to grow. 

Take the initiative to learn new skills or learn more about other departments. There is nothing that will stand out in the mind of your peers than seeing how you are willing to do what you can to help out the team. 

Avoid complaining or saying rude things about others. This always seems to come back and bite you later on down the road. If people think that you are negative and have a bad attitude, you will repel people instead of attracting them to you. No one likes to hear complaining and this is not the reputation you want. You want your work accomplishments to speak for who you are.

If you are starting a new job, learn the position first before you start finding ways to improve it. Sometimes, people are so eager and excited to improve everything that they fail to learn why it is done that way in the first place. Learn first and improve second. 

These tips and ideas should help your work etiquette improve as you continue on the job. Remember that people will view you because of how you treat them, and your performance on the job. Make sure both sides of this are covered and then they cannot dream of getting rid of you.