Office Etiquette Key Terms

Office etiquette covers various aspects of workplace processes and behaviors

By Renee Baumgardner

Most people think of office etiquette as simply being respectful and courteous to colleagues. There are other types of office etiquette that everyone should learn and follow to help ensure a productive and comfortable work environment. These include considerations involving telephone, email, conflict resolution, meeting and travel etiquette.

Professional workplace etiquette

Professional workplace etiquette can create an enjoyable, productive workplace. Examples of office workplace etiquette include avoiding gossip, treating others with respect, dressing appropriately and keeping ones personal life out of office conversation.
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Business telephone etiquette

The use of the telephone is an important component in conducting business and requires telephone etiquette. Lack of business telephone etiquette, such as failing to identify yourself and your company, failing to recognize receptionists and secretaries that direct calls and failing to end the phone call courteously, not only reflects negatively on your business, but also on you as a professional.
Try: Learn more about business telephone etiquette by referring to Essortment.

Email etiquette

Email is a popular and convenient way for professionals to communicate with others both within and outside of their organization. One drawback of email is that it is sometimes difficult to understand the "tone" of the message, which can result in someone becoming offended. Email etiquette includes addressing only those individuals you are familiar with by their first name, being concise with your answers, not using abbreviations in your email and, perhaps most importantly, using spell and grammar check before sending your email.
Try: Refer to EmailReplies for more tips on email etiquette.

Business travel etiquette

Travel is a requirement for many business professionals. Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, or hosting someone as part of your business operations, familiarize yourself with the culture of your destination. One should learn the rules for meeting people, such as how to address the individual and rules of eye contact, conversation topics to avoid, negotiating tactics, pace of business, mealtime etiquette and protocol for receiving gifts.
Try: Refer to Executive Planet for travel etiquette information.

Conflict resolution etiquette

Conflict occurs in every office at one time or another and it is important to resolve conflicts before they disrupt the entire office. When resolving conflicts, there are some rules of etiquette to follow, such as listening to other points of view, taking time to "cool off" before discussing the problem and not introducing people into the conflict that are not directly involved.
Try: Refer to MedicineNet for more information on conflict resolution etiquette and tips.

Business meeting etiquette

Business meetings often constitute a significant portion of one's work program and are instrumental in finalizing projects. It is therefore important that one follow proper meeting etiquette, such as being punctual, being prepared, ensuring any audiovisual equipment is set up and working properly, silencing your cell phone and not taking any phone calls or text messages during the meeting.
Try: Refer to LearnHub for business meeting etiquette tips.