Guest Author - Marjorie Bishop

It’s a business and regardless of the type of business most rules of basic etiquette will apply. No matter if you work in an office or cubicle, on an assembly or production line, or directly with customers or clientèle an atmosphere of polite, professional and respectful behavior will help keep the day running smoothly. As Margaret Mead once said “I have a respect for manners as such, they are a way of dealing with people you don't agree with or like.”

If you dislike a co-worker or customer hide those negative feelings behind a facade of politeness. Don’t be overly familiar with them, just be polite. I’m always very polite to people I don’t like; but at the same time, I don’t go out of my way to associate with them nor do I prolong that association for longer than required to get the job at hand done. This helps keep the atmosphere where I work pleasant and (relatively) stress free.

No one enjoys being in a stressful atmosphere or situation. Even those jobs or careers that are automatically considered stressful such as law enforcement, teaching, emergency services, military service and others can be made slightly easier if one makes an effort to get along with one’s co-workers. Treat them with respect, be appreciative when they do something well or help you in some way, use the words please, thank you and you’re welcome often, and allow them the same courtesies you would want for yourself.

As I was doing a bit of research for this article, I ran across several sites dedicated to increasing morale at work. I don’t know whether to laugh, cry or just shake my head in disbelief. All these sites basically said to treat your employees with respect and courtesy, show appreciation for their efforts, and be open to any suggestions and ideas they may have. Doing these things will help keep morale and productivity high while keeping employee turnover and the need to train new employees low. Honestly, one would think that etiquette, common courtesy and good manners have become rocket science.