Professional Etiquette in the Workplace

01 Appearance & Dress Code 

Office Dress Code 

•   Adhere to the company’s dress code policy 

•   Dress to impress – reflects on you as a professional 

•   Maintain a clean appearance by keeping up with personal hygiene  

•   Avoid wearing strong perfumes or colognes that could be distracting 

Types of Office Dress Codes 

Professional 

•  Suits  

•  Pant suits or skirt suits  

•  Button down shirts 

•  Necktie 

•  Dress shoes 

Business Casual 

•   Dress pants or skirts 

•   Professional dresses 

•   Professional shirts and  

     sweaters 

•   Nice shoes or loafers 

Casual 

•   Jeans or casual pants 

•   Dresses and skirts 

•   Comfortable shoes 

•   T-shirts, hoodies and    

     button-down shirts 

02 Email Etiquette  

How to Compose a Professional Email 

Subject Line  

•   A short phrase that summarizes the email 

Salutations 

•   A greeting at the start of your email 

•   Hello John, 

Body 

•   Put your full message here 

•   Break the email into sections to make it easier to read either by line or paragraph  

•   Keep the email clear and to the point 

Closing 

•   The line before your signature  

•   Restate any requests you’ve made in the body of the message: 

    •   Please let me know if you have any questions 

Signature 

•   Name, title, and any other information 

Thank you, 

Jane Doe 

Marketing Director 

555-555-5555 

Email Organization 

•   Respond to emails promptly  

•   Manage email volume: 

            •   Create folders to organize emails into categories 

            •   Flag emails with due dates - they can be found easily highlighted in your inbox 

03 Meeting Etiquette 

Before A Meeting 

•   Be prepared for meetings – similar to being prepared for class 

•   Review agendas and relevant material in advance 

•   Write down any questions you have before the meeting to make sure you ask them during the meeting 

•   Be prepared with paper and writing utensils for notetaking 

During A Meeting 

•   Arrive on time for meetings 

•   Actively participate in meetings through active listening skills, engagement, and participation (asking questions or sharing ideas) 

•   Take notes to remember tasks or any other information discussed 

•   Put your cellphone away 

After A Meeting 

•   Take a few minutes to write anything else from the meeting down  

•   Reflect on the meeting and any tasks that need to be completed from the meeting 

•   Write important information into your agenda/ calendar/ to-do list 

04 Instant Messaging Etiquette 

Instant Messaging Etiquette 

•   Use chat platforms such as Teams or Slack for work-related communication only 

•   Keep messages professional and respectful 

•   Avoid using excessive abbreviations or informal language 

05 Online Working Etiquette 

Online Meetings  

•   If you do not have a clean background try using a background image or blurring your background 

•   Camera on for more engagement  

•   Active listening, maintain eye contact through the camera, facial expressions, and body language 

•   Background distractions – go to a quiet room for meetings, put in headphones, mute yourself if there are distracting noises 

06 In-Person Working Etiquette 

Office Communication 

•   Use respectful language and tone in all conversations 

•   Practice active listening and give others the opportunity to speak 

•   Respect colleagues’ personal space  

•   Be mindful of cultural norms regarding personal space 

Office Hygiene 

•   Maintain good personal hygiene 

•   Keep your workspace clean and organized 

•   Used shared facilities like kitchens and bathrooms responsibly 

Respect Quiet Spaces 

•   Use designated quiet spaces for focused work or private conversations 

•   Keep noise levels low in shared spaces to avoid disruptions 

•   Use headphones to listen to audio or video content 

07 Overall Professionalism 

Punctuality 

Arrive on time for work and meetings. Respect others’ time by being on time. 

Work Ethic 

Be diligent, committed, and take pride in the quality of your work. 

Respect 

Treat colleagues & superiors with respect and courtesy. 

Accountability 

Take responsibility for your actions and decisions. Admit mistakes and learn from them to improve performance. 

Communication 

Be attentive when listening and express yourself clearly and professionally. 

Problem-Solving 

Approach challenges with a positive attitude and a problem-solving mindset. Seek solutions and contribute constructively to resolving issues. 

Teamwork 

Collaborate effectively with colleagues and contribute to a positive team dynamic. 

Positive Attitude 

Maintain a positive attitude, even during challenging times. Display enthusiasm and optimism in your approach to work. 

Professional Development 

Invest in continuous learning and professional development to enhance your skills and knowledge. 

Confidentiality 

Respect the privacy of sensitive information and maintain confidentiality in all matters related to the workplace. 

Conflict Resolution 

Handle conflicts professionally and constructively. Maintain composure during disagreements. 

Integrity 

Uphold ethical standards and be honest in your dealings with others. Avoid engaging in dishonest or unethical behavior.