Office Etiquette
Office etiquette for today's worker
Today’s modern work place can be the cause of much stress: unattended ringing mobile phones, loud conversations, air conditioning temperature, inconsiderate use of shared equipment. The list goes on. Successfully navigating this jungle of potential conflict is the key to a stress-free work life. But what exactly is the correct etiquette for dealing with this minefield? Let us look at some of these sources of potential conflict and potential solutions.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones have got to be at the top of the list of office irritants. There is always the one person who leaves their mobile switched on while away from their desk, and invariably it will ring, not once, not twice, but repeatedly (he has never heard of voice mail, apparently). And almost invariably the culprit is also the one to complain most vociferously should anyone else's phone ring.
Conversation sound levels
Then there is the issue of conversational sound level in the office. How loud is loud? Don’t you just hate the conversations going on across the room over your head as you are furiously concentrating on that complex presentation that you are trying to complete by the 5 pm deadline?
Desk space
Working in such close proximity presents other problems, such as invasion of personal desk space. If you are neat and organised with everything in it’s right place, then you will no doubt fail to appreciate your neighbour’s overflowing in-tray spilling over on to your desk.
Shared equipment
What to do about the inconsiderate colleague who not only chooses to print off a hundred page document, but does not care to warn anyone else in the office? Not only is your urgent print job queued for half an hour, but also, it does not come through because the printer is out of paper. Replace printer with photocopier and the same scenario repeats itself.
Air-conditioning
What temperature you think the air conditioning should be set at depends on several factors – your own temperature comfort zone, your proximity to menopause (if you are a woman), your desk position in relation to the air-conditioning vents.
Dos and don'ts for a stress-free work life
So what’s to be done to overcome these potential problems and reduce
stress in an already pressured area of life? Here are a few rules to get you started. Follow them (and persuade your colleagues to follow suit) and your work life will be a little less stressful.
Sense of humour
Mobile phones
Speaking volume
Personal space
Environment
© Cherry Bwalya 2010
Originally published on the orato.com an international news website, which is no longer live
Today’s modern work place can be the cause of much stress: unattended ringing mobile phones, loud conversations, air conditioning temperature, inconsiderate use of shared equipment. The list goes on. Successfully navigating this jungle of potential conflict is the key to a stress-free work life. But what exactly is the correct etiquette for dealing with this minefield? Let us look at some of these sources of potential conflict and potential solutions.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones have got to be at the top of the list of office irritants. There is always the one person who leaves their mobile switched on while away from their desk, and invariably it will ring, not once, not twice, but repeatedly (he has never heard of voice mail, apparently). And almost invariably the culprit is also the one to complain most vociferously should anyone else's phone ring.
Conversation sound levels
Then there is the issue of conversational sound level in the office. How loud is loud? Don’t you just hate the conversations going on across the room over your head as you are furiously concentrating on that complex presentation that you are trying to complete by the 5 pm deadline?
Desk space
Working in such close proximity presents other problems, such as invasion of personal desk space. If you are neat and organised with everything in it’s right place, then you will no doubt fail to appreciate your neighbour’s overflowing in-tray spilling over on to your desk.
Shared equipment
What to do about the inconsiderate colleague who not only chooses to print off a hundred page document, but does not care to warn anyone else in the office? Not only is your urgent print job queued for half an hour, but also, it does not come through because the printer is out of paper. Replace printer with photocopier and the same scenario repeats itself.
Air-conditioning
What temperature you think the air conditioning should be set at depends on several factors – your own temperature comfort zone, your proximity to menopause (if you are a woman), your desk position in relation to the air-conditioning vents.
Dos and don'ts for a stress-free work life
So what’s to be done to overcome these potential problems and reduce
stress in an already pressured area of life? Here are a few rules to get you started. Follow them (and persuade your colleagues to follow suit) and your work life will be a little less stressful.
Sense of humour
- Do maintain a sense of humour. Human beings are contrary. Don’t waste time trying to figure them out ─ it is not worth the stress.
Mobile phones
- Do activate the voice mail feature on your phone and switch it off when away from your desk.
- Do put your phone on silent and use the vibrating alarm feature when at your desk. Otherwise, do set a pleasant ring tone and at a quiet level.
Speaking volume
- Do watch your speaking volume. Don't shout across the room. If you have something to say to someone at the opposite end of the room – take a walk. Or even better, take it to another room.
Personal space
- Do respect your colleagues’ space. Do keep a check on those overhanging, overfull in-trays. Your neighbour needs the space in theirs too!
- Do warn other users should you need to print or photocopy a large number of documents. Alternatively, schedule it when usage is low.
Environment
- Do learn to give and take a little. There are no hard and fast rules. Here’s where you practice and hone your negotiation skills.
© Cherry Bwalya 2010
Originally published on the orato.com an international news website, which is no longer live