BP- Mod1 - Business Etiquette&Social Skills

Transcript

1. © Career and Employment Prep Business Etiquette and Social Skills Activity Packet Name Date_______________ Period_____________ Employment and Career Readiness: Business Etiquette and Social Skills Activity Packet Are you… …that person who only talks nicely to “important” people? …that person who does not RSVP to business meetings or events? …that person who brings smelly lunches to work? Don’t be that person! Several co-workers were entering their office building. The first man pushed open the heavy door. The co-worker walking behind him assumed he would hold open the door until she could grab the handle. Instead, the door swung shut, knocking her folders to the ground. Don’t be that person who fails to extend basic common courtesies to others. The term etiquette may make you think of choosing the correct fork at a fancy restaurant or writing countless thank you notes. However, business etiquette is simply the accepted set of manners and behaviors appropriate for the workplace. Above all, do not be offensive, immature, or rude. Your age is not an excuse for unacceptable or inappropriate behavior. Remember that kindness and politeness are more important than minor etiquette errors, so do not let the multiple forks at a restaurant intimidate you. Your co-workers, clients, or supervisor are more likely to remember if you disrespect a waiter than if you use the wrong utensil. Be Polite and Respectful to Everyone Everyone knows to be polite to their boss, but many workers do not make the same effort with the company janitor, receptionist, delivery person, or security guard. Be kind and friendly to all people you interact with, regardless of their position. Besides being the right thing to do, these people will be more likely to help you and speak well of you in return. Treat others as you would like to be treated. For example, do not jam the copy machine and leave it for the next person to fix. Admit and correct your mistakes, especially if they impact others. Remember that what goes around comes around. If you persistently spread rumors, eavesdrop, or gossip about others, be prepared for the backlash. If you only talk to a co-worker when you need help, do not be surprised if he or she begins avoiding you. Be courteous when you are sick. Do not infect others by coming to work while you are contagious. Cover your mouth when you cough and excuse yourself when you sneeze. Leave the room to blow your nose and then thoroughly wash your hands. Communicate Appropriately Be courteous when you communicate with and greet others. Shake hands, introduce yourself, offer a chair, and exchange business cards, as appropriate. Respond to verbal questions, RSVP requests, emails, texts, and voicemails promptly. Focus on the speaker. Do not wear headphones, text, fidget, or look around or down during a conversation. Be aware of your body language. Never stand or lean too close to a person when speaking or point your finger. Crossing your arms and leaning away can appear defensive or hostile. Slumping in a chair or resting your head in your hands shows disinterest. Instead, demonstrate your engagement by using eye contact, nodding, and maintaining a friendly posture. Address co-workers, supervisors, and customers verbally and in writing by the names they used when they introduced themselves to you. However, if you are unsure or have forgotten, politely ask or follow the lead of your co-workers. For example, do they call your supervisor Mr. Morales, Javier, or sir? You do not want to be too formal or too casual. The goal is to match the standards of the particular workplace. Learn to pronounce each person’s name correctly. Write it down phonetically if you need a reminder. Show interest in other people by asking general, but not overly personal, questions about them. Do not swear or use racist or sexist language. Say please when making a request or asking for help. Afterwards, a simple thank you is usually sufficient. However, when someone has done a more significant favor, show your appreciation in a written email or letter. Graciously congratulate and compliment people on their accomplishments or contributions. During work meetings, stay focused, turn off mobile devices, and put away any snacks. Give people enough time to finish their thoughts, rather than completing their sentences or interrupting them. Offer help if an individual is clearly struggling. Do not stand idly by as someone wrestles with the projection equipment or spills his or her coffee.
2. © Career and Employment Prep Business Etiquette and Social Skills Activity Packet Recognize that people are busy, so arrive on time for all scheduled calls, meetings, appointments, and shift changes. Although an individual may not always have time for a long conversation or discussion, it is still courteous to use a warm, simple greeting. “Hi, Lorena. How are you today? Are you available to help me with a problem this afternoon?” is better than “Hey. I need your help. Now.” Eat Like a Lady or Gentleman Find out how long your company allows for meals or breaks. Whether you eat on the company premises or at a restaurant, return to work on time. Avoid choosing particularly smelly, messy, or complicated foods. Use good table manners, including eating with your mouth closed, keeping elbows off the table, wiping your mouth with a napkin, placing your napkin on your lap, and asking for something out of your reach (rather than leaning across the table). Never slurp, belch, or pick at your teeth in front of others. If you choose to eat on your company’s premises, be sure your items do not to take up too much space in a shared refrigerator. Never eat or throw away someone else’s food or beverages. Do not monopolize the microwave for long periods of time, especially if other people are waiting for it. Avoid heating smelly items such as fish, seaweed, or burning popcorn. Clean up the appliances, counters, and table you used. If your employer provides a buffet-style work meal, do not load your plate up too high, and never take seconds unless everyone has eaten already. You want to make sure everyone gets his or her fair share. If you eat at your desk, be careful about tossing the trash in your garbage can. If the janitor does not empty your garbage daily, any remaining food could attract bugs or emit odors. Do not distract nearby co- workers by eating super crunchy foods. If you need a snack or treat, keep it simple and discreet. Do not eat in front of other people unless food is also available to everyone. For example, do not bring a doughnut to a meeting if you did not bring have enough to share. Your employer or co-workers may sometimes bring snacks to share with others. Be respectful by thanking them and occasionally reciprocating with your own group contribution. Also, don’t be that person who touches all the cookies before selecting one. Understand all rules regarding shared resources, such as the break room coffee machine. Do not take the last cup without making a fresh pot and certainly do not take a cup if it is not free. It is not good business etiquette to steal. Workplace/Business Etiquette Checklist Do Don’t → be polite, kind, friendly, and courteous to everyone at work x yell, eavesdrop, gossip, spread rumors, swear, or use offensive, racist, or sexist language → admit and correct your mistakes x leave a problem for others to fix → use proper hygiene, especially when you are sick x spread germs or come to work while contagious → greet people politely and pronounce their names correctly x call someone by a nickname or shorten a person’s name unless he or she requests it → respond to people’s requests promptly and politely x fail to do as you promised → be an active listener x wear headphones, text, or look away while conversing → show interest in other people x use negative body language → say please, excuse me, and thank you x be demanding, selfish, or rude → provide help when appropriate x interrupt people or complete their sentences → be on time for calls, meetings, and shift changes x forget to greet people when in a hurry → understand and follow all rules related to shared resources, such as the coffee pot or copy machine x violate written or unwritten workplace rules → use good table manners when eating x slurp, belch, or pick at your teeth → be considerate in the break room x monopolize the refrigerator or microwave → clean up your messes, including meal-related trash x leave your mess behind for others to clean → share buffet-style meals and snacks fairly x take more than your share or the last item → select appropriate food items to eat at work x eat in front of others if there is not enough to share