You want to be recognized as a professional at work. You clock in on time and do your tasks as expected. Given the obvious precarious economic conditions, you also do not wish to leave anything to chance. Is there anything else you may have missed? Following are a few things you simply can’t afford to be caught doing at the office:
Wearing a tank top to work. In this age of casual dressing at the office, some people think that this means they can just wear whatever they like, even look like grunge. In reality, your attire speaks volumes and gives people an idea of your overall personality. As such, much thought must be put into your wardrobe selection. Choose to dress smart, even in informal situations. It tells people that you mean business.
Printing your CV. While your break time may offer you the opportunity to catch up on a few personal stuff, updating and printing your curriculum vitae at work is not only unacceptable, it may also put you in danger of losing your job. Although this does not apply to everyone, there are individuals who have found themselves in compromising situations with their bosses after it was discovered that they were looking for a job elsewhere. Keep your career plans private until final.
Chatting with your best friend for an hour. Keep personal calls to a minimum. Staying on the phone for a lengthy period without any real business purpose gives the impression that you are not doing your job (even if let’s say you finished ahead of everyone on the work assigned to you). Be conscious of the image that you project at work. If you have extra time on your hands, you can re-organize your office stuff or catch up on other tasks.
Changing into slippers. Believe it or not, this happens especially in backroom operations where dealings with clients are minimal or non-existent. While comfort may be uppermost in your mind, just remember that the office is not your bedroom and proper decorum still needs to be maintained even if no one sees you (although someone eventually does).
Napping at your desk. There has been a trend abroad towards allowing employees an opportunity to nap during the workday. If you really need a few winks, make sure to find a private room or designated area for napping. Otherwise, you wouldn’t want to be caught by surprise – like getting a tap on your shoulder from your boss who thinks that you snore too loudly.
The author’s internationally published book “Etiquette Guide to the Philippines” is now available at Fully Booked, National Bookstore, Amazon.com and major bookstores worldwide.