Career Connections: Etiquette for Today’s Workplace | AIChE

You are here

Career Connections: Etiquette for Today’s Workplace

Career Connections
October
2019

When the writers of The Office were creating the show, they studied how people interacted in actual offices. Based on their research, they created Dunder Mifflin’s regional manager Michael Scott, whose off-color comments offend many of his peers and employees, and assistant manager Jim Halpert, who plays pranks on coworker Dwight Schrute. While funny onscreen, we know Michael’s and Jim’s behaviors would be considered bad behavior in our own workplaces. Still, many of us may be unsure of the boundaries for acceptable office conduct. For instance, is joking with a coworker appropriate? Or, is it okay for a colleague to repeatedly borrow your office supplies?

Fueling the uncertainty are changes in the work environment, including open office floor plans, greater diversity among our officemates, and flatter corporate hierarchies. While some etiquette basics still apply — dressing according to company norms, keeping your workspace tidy, and using office-appropriate language — we need to do more as leaders and team members to ensure our office behavior stays within the appropriate bounds...

Would you like to access the complete CEP Article?

No problem. You just have to complete the following steps.

You have completed 0 of 2 steps.

  1. Log in

    You must be logged in to view this content. Log in now.

  2. AIChE Membership

    You must be an AIChE member to view this article. Join now.

Copyright Permissions 

Would you like to reuse content from CEP Magazine? It’s easy to request permission to reuse content. Simply click here to connect instantly to licensing services, where you can choose from a list of options regarding how you would like to reuse the desired content and complete the transaction.

Features