Once in a while, people need to be reminded or taught about what is appropriate, professional behavior in the workplace. Here are a few tips, let me know if you think of any others that should be added to the list.

You

1. Dress appropriately. When in doubt about an outfit, don’t wear it. Follow the dress code if there is one.

2. When working remotely maintain a professional image. No one wants to see you in your pajamas.

3. Limit the amount of perfume you wear. No one wants to smell you from across the hall.

4. Learn how to make eye contact and shake hands.

5. Welcome outsiders with a warm smile.

6. Use good manners; say good morning, please and thank you.

7. Be punctual.

8. Take care of your family matters in a way that you can focus on your job when you are there.

9. Develop time management skills.

10.Prioritize important tasks.

11.Become competent at your job.

12.Be a role model for others.

13.Today’s workforce is diverse, take the time to learn about your co-workers.

Communication

14.Treat others with respect.

15.Learn how to start a conversation.

16.Don’t gossip. Keep your personal thoughts and opinions to yourself. You are there to perform a job, not to offer comments about other people.

17.Communicate in a positive manner using positive words. (We can, we will, we expect)

18.Use we instead of I.

19.Do not curse or tell offensive jokes.

20.Avoid discussing politics, religion or any other divisive topic at work.

21.Refer to people by their name. Learn the proper way to pronounce a name.

22.Keep your personal conversations private.

23.Never, ever raise your voice.

24.Learn active listening skills. Don’t interrupt or finish another person’s sentence.

25.Be empathetic when you are dealing with an upset co-worker or upset customer.

26.Don’t talk with your mouth full or answer the phone while chewing.

27.Don’t flirt with co-workers.

28.Make proper introductions. The proper way to make an introduction is to introduce a lower-ranking person to a higher-ranking person. For example, if your CEO is Chris Jones and you are introducing administrative assistant Jane Smith to her, the correct introduction would be "Chris, I'd like you to meet Jane Smith."

29.Communicate positively about your employer when you are in public. You represent the organization.

30.Never share confidential information.

Email Etiquette

31.Don’t surf the web, pay your bills, or chat with your girlfriend on your employer’s time.

32. Don't send an email if you are angry. Take a deep breath and think about how to send a professional email.

33.Proofread and edit your email prior to sending.

34.Pay attention to your cc list. Include the people that need to be included.

35.Use proper grammar and spelling.

36. Do not yell via email by using BOLD, CAPITALS and red letters.

37.Create a specific subject line to entice the reader to open the email.

38.Keep the email message brief. If you need to send a lot of information send an attachment.

39.Create folders to organize your email.

Mobile Manners

40.Turn your personal cell phone ringer off during work hours.

41.Move away from others when you are having a personal conversation.

42.Silence your cell phone during special events. (wedding ceremony, funeral, parent teacher conference)

43.Do not text while driving, it’s the law!

44.Give the person in front of you more respect than the person on the phone.

45.Use an appropriate greeting when answering the phone.

46.Don’t place callers on hold for a long time.

Work Environment

47.Keep your work area neat, clean, and well organized. Limit the amount of personal “stuff” surrounding your work area.

48.Take care of your work equipment as if you paid for it.

49.Follow workplace rules. If your employer asks you to wear a mask, do so.

50.Keep your food in the kitchen and don’t help yourself to someone else’s food no matter how good it looks.

51.Pay attention to and be respectful of each other’s time.

52. Limit your personal fundraising in the office. Just because your daughter is selling Girl Scout cookies doesn’t mean everyone wants to buy some.

53.Do not bring office supplies home for your personal use, it is stealing.

Social Functions/Holidays

54. Don’t get drunk and/or wear provocative clothing at the holiday party.

55. Don’t order the most expensive item on the menu. Follow your host.

56. Don’t eat all you can eat if you go to an all you can eat buffet.

57. Say thank you to the host.

58. Respect and allow holiday traditions in the office as long as the traditions are reasonable.

59.Network with others during social functions.

60.Maintain professionalism during social functions, you are representing your employer.