Being in the work that I do, career coaching and career development, I am always looking for ways to be a better employee, trends in the workplace, and tips to share with the students that I work with so they can obtain and RETAIN employment. With that, I occasionally seek out friends and family to see what they think is inappropriate work behavior and their various career ideas and advice. Along with my own viewpoints and experiences, I have come to realize that what makes a person a great employee has a common thread throughout industries. For the most part, there is an “etiquette” that we should adhere to if we want to keep our jobs.
Let’s face it, there isn’t a single person who is perfect but there are clear cut ways on how to grab respect…and annoying others is not what is going to help you climb up the corporate ladder and get you that corner office. Many stories I have heard were really funny and some continue to make me raise my eyebrows. Anyhow, read on my fellow bloggies and let me know if any of this sounds familiar. I look forward to reading your stories and maybe some of them I can include in my next blog about inappropriate work behavior.
1. Don’t cut your toenails while you are at work.
Seriously, I have heard several people, at different times in my experience, cutting their nails in their cubicles. What ever happen to proper etiquette? Apparently, no one ever taught these individuals that proper etiquette does not include personal grooming while at work when others are around.
2. Don’t cook smelly foods.
You might say, “What is the big deal about cooking left over fish in the microwave at work?” For one, it can be physically agonizing for someone who is allergic to fish or shellfish. I once knew a woman who would get physically sick and vomit when she smelled fish. For some, even the smell of something can trigger an allergic reaction and cause an unwelcoming response.
In graduate school, we were constantly being reminded of the people who had allergies to nuts. It was medically important to take into consideration these people if we brought “nutty” coffee or cookies to class. I can only imagine that having allergies to common things like nuts, shellfish or even the cat hair on the coat jacket that you hang in your cubicle can be utterly miserable. It happens though and everyday there are people in our offices that cope with these issues but simply choose not say anything out of shear fear of looking out of place.
3. Don’t wear strong perfumes or colognes.
The same thing goes for perfumes and colognes as I stated in number two. For anyone who has any type of upper respiratory auto-immune disease or allergy, the act of smelling something strong can trigger an allergic reaction and with these types of people, the response would not be the same as that for anyone without an auto-immune disease or allergy. Therefore, please take into consideration how it may affect others. What you decide to wear to a club or out to eat is an entirely different story.
4. Don’t pee on the toilet seat and not clean it.
Not only is this disgusting, rude and disrespectful – it is a sanitary hazard and …did I say Disgusting? Need I say more?
5. Don’t talk so loud – Use your “inside” voice.
If people can hear you down the hall, you are too loud. There is no reason for the entire floor to have to hear your conversation. Always use an “inside” voice because you never know who is nearby.
There are many things we could all do if we really wanted to piss off the people we work with but why would anyone want to do any of that in the first place? Many people I talk to say it’s simply just a lack of understanding. In some cultures, I am sure bringing fish to work is a natural, everyday occurrence.
In short, for those of you who work for yourselves, you are the lucky few and I aspire to be like you someday. As for those who are independently wealthy…well, I am still waiting for that winning lottery ticket. Until then, I vow that I will do my best not to piss off the people that I work with.
If you have any funny stories or one that just makes you go…hmmmmm, don’t forget to leave a comment. I look forward to hearing from you. Until then, have a happy work day. - Debra Manente
I currently work in a Call Center that handles technical support. Since you brought up cutting toe nails, then we can include fingernails as well. This will also coincide with odor sensitivities to others! The audacity of one on my co-workers who constantly complains about colognes, perfumes, ginger (Yes, ginger!), she candidly will sit there and start painting her nails from time to time, and the smell is toxic!
ReplyDeleteAs for bad sanitary habits in the bathroom goes beyond mentioning men who just miss the toilet completely. I once knew an employee who thought it would be funny to urinate on the toilet paper. He is known to be a joker, but when I saw him coming out of the bathroom laughing, I easily put two and two together, and screamed at him!