Organisational Behaviour:Getting employees to up their etiquette quotient…

• Some behavioural standards are best complied with when not stated
• This, however, does not mean managements sit back and relax

Employee behavioural norms cannot always be stated. Some etiquette elements are implicit, and remain so because of the dynamics of a fast-evolving business world. The HR, probably, has a reason for not stating too much. Imagine the pressure on an employee who has too much stated protocol to stomach. However, employees now having email, political and cubicle etiquette added to their behavioural conduct does not mean the HR should ‘spare the rod’.

The latest to make it to the list of behavioural norms are such restrictions that are best complied with when implicit. Although stating them would not do any harm, as the cliché goes, “some things are better left unsaid!” And in the case of behavioural norms, some things are best followed when not stipulated.

While looking into the latest behavioural norms, this week’s mailer also suggest ways by which they can become a part of routine behaviour.

Facebook face-off

Employees must keep their professional image intact. So, sharing family picnic and weekend party photographs with everyone is definitely not a good idea. An employee once posted his uncensored honeymoon photographs for all to see! While he became the butt of all jokes for months, what was worse is his influence took a bashing! Maintaining separate list of workplace friends and acquaintances is a must.

Creating different lists limits what visitors can view. Such online segregation is encouraged at workplaces when seniors themselves are strict about maintaining an online distance. An equally effective way of conveying expected behaviour is when the top guys share only a certain genre of photographs with everyone. For instance, when an employee observes that his boss has posted photographs of the trade fair he visited and the convention he last attended, it definitely sends across a message.

Dining don’ts

Space constraints and timelines do not allow employees to take dedicated lunch breaks. Employees, more often than not, end up eating at their desks. Therefore, smelly, greasy and messy food should be avoided. However, in countries like India, pungent food and food that needs to be eaten with fingers is normal. Employees must appreciate that one man’s aroma is another man’s foul smell! Also, using one’s fingers to eat while working at something is definitely inconvenient. In offices where customers and stakeholders are regular visitors, employees with their fingers in the lunch box and the office reeking of food will certainly be uninviting.

Socialising standards

Strong workplace relationships are great. But managers are actually not too thrilled about employees getting together or partying after work. The fear is that familiarity after work hours encourages employees to gang up. Such teaming can affect regular functioning. There have been instances where employees have revealed too much or bad mouthed colleagues under the influence of alcohol.

After-work meetings also become hotbeds for rumours and gossips. Being subtle about expectations rarely works in preventing employees to limit their socialising with colleagues. This is when managers and supervisors should voice their disapproval openly.

Customised costumes

Telling adults how to dress is a touchy issue. Although strict dress codes prevent employees from experimenting too much with their dressing, getting employees to comply with a prescribed dress code is a huge challenge in organisations that do not have uniforms. There have been instances of how otherwise conservative dressers have turned up in glitzy or revealing outfits for client meetings and conventions outside office. Keeping an eye on what employees wear outside the office during work hours is not possible. The only option is to reinforce constantly the importance of dressing professionally whenever employees represent the organisation. Such reinforcement can come in the form of:

• Constant reminders: Regular talks about the importance of dressing professionally convey how serious the organisation is about its dress code.
• Leading by example: Seniors should be particular about sticking to the dress code. The CEO and the management team of a company that allows denims and tees on Fridays, wear formals on all other days. Seeing their seniors well-dressed always checks employees from being audacious dressers!

Getting employees to update constantly their workplace etiquette quotient is easier said than done. The trick lies in making actions a part of routine behaviour without imposing or stating behavioural expectations.

Reference:
The ManageMentor