Here’s a common scene in Technopark. A number of techies, both men and women, are waiting for the lift in one of the buildings on campus. The moment the doors open, there’s a surge to get inside, much scrambling and jostling till most of them manage to squeeze into the lift. “Such a thing is a faux pas in a corporate environment, particularly in the West. Corporate etiquette expects orderly behaviour from employees and men must give way to women and elderly persons when waiting for lifts,” says Arun T.M., a senior HR executive at Attinad Software.
“It may seem trivial but the mad rush for the lifts is one the top complaints that companies get in feedback from offices abroad. Another is food eating habits when abroad, especially with regards to cutlery usage or non-usage, to be exact,” he adds.
That turns the spotlight on office etiquette in Technopark. Minding your Ps & Qs and conducting yourself correctly and courteously is serious business on campus because bad manners at the workplace can be bad for business. Each corporate decides what’s acceptable and what’s not and all newbies are put through mandatory etiquette sessions. HR personnel usually brief lateral entry employees on the same.
Most companies, particularly those with employees who are expected to interact with clients, hold regular awareness campaigns/sessions on various aspects of office etiquette. Poster campaigns are a regular feature too. Several of the big companies have an etiquette guide in their portals for quick reference. “Following etiquette means making others feel comfortable in your presence,” says Dileep Choyapally, Group Manager - HR at IBS.
Top priority of most companies is what’s called workplace/business etiquette. “Within this employees have to make sure that they do not disclose client details or other confidential details such as share patents and trade secrets. Those who work on a particular account usually have to sign a confidentiality agreement,” says Ramesh N. (name changed on request), a senior manager in client relations at an MNC. “Another important aspect is respecting physical and mental space, which we’ve seen is an issue with freshers who have just come from a relaxed college environment,” explains Dileep.
Priority is accorded to email etiquette because most conversations happen online. Eustine Thomas, a senior HR person, says: “We often have to take people to task because they tend to use informal SMS language while sending emails.”
To a lesser extent, dress etiquette is also insisted upon on campus. Some companies insist on formal business wear with tie and closed shoes for their male employees, come rain or shine. Many others have sort of relaxed their dress codes. Infosys, for instance, now has a summer dress code policy, where employees are allowed to wear casuals to the office during summer. “Dress code is usually policy driven but dress sense is an individual aspect. That said you can’t expect to turn up for work in slipper and shorts!” says Dileep. “The idea is to appear polished at all times. For example, if you are wearing a blazer for a business meeting you should not be uncomfortable in it,” adds Arun.
If you do not follow etiquette, reportedly, you will have to face anything from official warnings for minor faults to even dismissal if it’s perceived as a serious case of misconduct.
The right way
HR personnel give a few quick tips:
* Maintain, at least, a minimum level of time etiquette (keeping time and time management).
* Cleanliness is a must. Most corporate require employees to wear deodorants but in a restrained manner. Coming to office smelling of cigarette smoke is a big no.
* Using profanities is frowned upon.
* Don’t get too familiar with the opposite gender.
* High jacking meetings and being opinionated or taking issues personally is uncalled for.
* Address emails with proper salutations and use fonts of one size and never in bold.
* One-liner emails are not acceptable.
