Etiquette refers to any special code of behavior or courtesy. As Shaw and Barry (p. 5) have pointed out, in contemporary Western society, it is usually considered appropriate to use courteous phrases when requesting assistance or receiving it, to adhere to certain standards of performance in all social and professional interactions and it is inappropriate to use obscene language in public (including the workplace). In the workplace, etiquette is also understood as having a direct relationship with a number of specific issues such as proper attire, use of non-gendered and racially or culturally respectful language, and the avoidance of discrimination, sexual and other forms of harassment, and stereotyping (Shaw and Barry, p. 6). This brief report will examine some of these etiquette issues in the context of the American workplace, arguing that while etiquette may not be as formal as it was in the not-so-distant past, rules of courtesy and behavior are themselves timeless and capable of creating a proactive and positive work environment.
A recent article in Association Management (p. 24) reported that "although the business world grows ever more complex and competitive, there is one constant -- etiquette." The article offered an interview with Jan Yager, a human resource consultant and the author of a book on business protocols. In discussing how to use etiquette as a business strategy, Yager made reference to six basic principles that should guide the behavior of all workers, regardless of their position in an organization or their occupation.
Among these principles are the admonition to be on time for work, to be discrete with respect to proprietary information or events taking place at work, and to dress appropriately to fit with the organization's environment and one's own level within that environment (Association Management, p. 24). Discretion refers not only to maintaining silence with respect to work related inform...