The New Standards of Office Etiquette

Office etiquette changed quite a bit in 2021.  From rearranged workspaces to non-traditional work schedules and new health-based policies and procedures, organizations and employees had to acclimate themselves to a business world that was familiar yet very different.  As more companies continue to welcome staff back to the office in 2022, you can be sure that office etiquette will continue to evolve.

If your workplace is returning to full-strength staffing in 2022, now is the time to ensure that employees who were working remotely (as well as your currently on-site staff) understand the new rules, policies and procedures that are now in place.

Here are some of the current changes to office etiquette that you may want to communicate to your staff as they return in the New Year. 

Greetings

It’s been a long time since some of your staff have occupied the same space.  While they may be excited to see each other after almost two years, remind them that we’re still in a pandemic.  Based on that fact, they should refrain from shaking hands or hugging.  Instead of forbidding any sort of contact, let your employees know that you have implemented a new policy that replaces handshakes and other traditional greetings with more alternatives such as fist and elbow bumps.

Personal Space

Even before the pandemic, most workplaces recommended that employees be mindful of each other’s personal space. While maintaining a one-two feet distance between employees was the norm, this practice is no longer applicable in many offices.  Inform employees that maintaining a distance of six feet is still necessary to ensure everyone’s safety during this continuing health emergency.

Be sure to communicate that this six-foot rule is not just limited to interactions in break rooms, restrooms, cafeterias and other common spaces.  It also applies to conference and presentation rooms, too.  If your company has a large number of employees in the office, identify whether employees may be required to adjust their lunch, break, or meeting schedules.  Communicate these changes so that everyone can safely maintain and adhere to these distance guidelines.  

Things May Not Look the Same

The moment your employees set foot in the office is going to be a bit surreal for them - especially if the layout has significantly changed.  Desks may have protective plastic dividers.  Floor plans may have been rearranged to direct foot traffic in distinct directions to accommodate social distancing.  Certain areas may be restricted to a limited number of people.

To help employees better prepare and adjust to their “new” surroundings, be sure to explain the new layout and floor plans in advance of their return.  Including a photo gallery or brief tour video with your description will help them acclimate to the newly redesigned workplace.

Be Mindful of Others

While your employees return to the workplace, many of the customers, vendors and partners that your company does business with may still be working remotely.  If your employees need to conduct virtual/video calls with these contacts, make sure that they do not interfere with the operations of the other team members.

Provide these employees with noise-canceling headphones with microphones to eliminate the noise levels in the office.  You can also provide employees with a dedicated space that’s located away from the rest of the staff to ensure privacy and limit the amount of noise and distractions.

Keep the Workplace Tidy

After so much time working remotely, some employees may have become a bit more relaxed in their workspace presentation.  This is a good time to remind them that they need to keep their personal workspace and any shared spaces clean and tidy.  Keeping their desk or space organized, clean and neat not only conveys a more professional appearance, it also helps eliminate dust, germs and bacteria.

Office Etiquette Will Continue to Change

Perhaps the most important message to communicate to returning staff is this: Office etiquette as we know it will continue to change.  As the pandemic continues, certain guidelines will be lifted or revised.  These changes will affect the various workplace rules, regulations, procedures, and policies.  Since this is the case, encourage your staff to ask questions, voice concerns and offer recommendations.  By doing so, you’ll lay the foundation for better lines of communication between leadership and staff.

By following these tips, you’ll help make the transition from remote to in-office work easier for everyone!

If you’re ready to welcome new employees into your organization, Elite Personnel is here to help.  Let our team of expert recruiters complement your returning staff with new hires who fit your professional needs and company culture. Contact us today!