Offices can be tricky environments for professionals to coexist in. Offices are often confined spaces that act as echo chambers; most people hear most things and information can get distorted quite quickly. Professionals are also required to be civil, even amicable with one another regardless of personality differences to promote smooth productivity. Sometimes this necessary civility can make it difficult for coworkers to critique disruptive behavior. On the flipside, the open and friendly atmosphere of most offices can encourage troublemakers to think ‘anything goes.’ Here’s a list of the top ten behaviors you should never be guilty of at work.
Public spaces
1) Don’t take or “sample” your coworkers’ food.
2) Don’t leave messes in the kitchen or coffee space.
3) Don’t leave the printer/scanner/fax machine etc. broken if you caused a problem or if you found a problem. If you can’t fix the problem, alert someone who can.
4) Avoid speaking to coworkers while they’re ensconced within toilet stalls.
Professional Image
5) Mind your scent: avoid strong perfumes, colognes and be sure to wash regularly.
6) Avoid revealing clothing, overly casual clothing or dirty/torn clothing.
Professional Dialogue
7) Don’t gossip, ever. The office environment typically functions as an echo chamber: everyone hears everything eventually and information gets distorted. Moreover, your coworkers might see gossiping as disrespectful or indiscrete and they might not trust those who indulge in gossiping. The same is true with lying.
8) Keep private conversations private. Are you going to speak with your kids, spouse, therapist, doctor, accountant or lawyer about sensitive, private or non-work related issues? Take it outside, book a conference room, or go to your car or the hallway.
9) Avoid Eavesdropping. Sometimes private, personal or sensitive information is overheard in the office. It’s considered very rude to “hear,” or later comment on personal information you were not told directly.
Communal Health
10) Finally, please, please avoid coming to work sick. Explore alternatives such as telecommuting to prevent spreading illness to your coworkers. If you must come to work sick, wash your hands frequently, sanitize shared surfaces, (i.e. phone, printer, keyboard) and cough/sneeze into a Kleenex, not your hand or down your shirt. If you have a roommate or children who are ill, be sure to sanitize shared office space and wash your hands even if you are not showing symptoms. Even if you are not showing symptoms, you might still act as a ‘carrier’ and infect your office; your coworkers could then spread these germs to their families who take these germs to their schools and offices. It’s very important to respect yourself, your coworkers and their families by washing your hands when you are sick or when people around you are sick.
