Workplace manners that matter

Although society is increasingly casual, formal standards of behavior enable people to work happily together.

In short, manners count. Here’s how:

Clothing: In a survey of executives by Office Team, 80 percent said clothing affects an employee’s chances of promotion. Business clothes are sometimes related to location. Washington, D.C., is more formal than Denver, CO., for example. Still, low-cut dresses, bare shoulders or miniskirts are usually inappropriate for the office.

Casual Fridays don’t mean sloppy Fridays. Always try to be neat, even in jeans. No muscle shirts. Cover your tattoos and remove piercings.

Social media: Everyone has a private life. The Office Team survey found nearly 40 percent of managers do not respond favorably to social media friend requests from employees.

Cellphones: A study by Robert Half Technology found that 64 percent of surveyed CIOs said the increased use of mobile devices has led to a significant rise in breaches of workplace etiquette. In a meeting, don’t read email, scroll through messages, take calls or text. Turn off the sound.

Empathy: Don’t steal food. Don’t be late for meetings. Don’t yell at others. Don’t talk loud on a phone. Skip the aftershave or perfume. Don’t bother people trying to work. All these behaviors tell other people you don’t care about them. That’s a bad message.