As We Return to the Office, Some Etiquette Reminders
Year-long remote work may have caused us to forget our social graces.
While it is very possible that, in the wake of the coronavirus, your company has decided to switch to long-term remote work, some of us are returning full-time or in a hybrid format to the office.
This transition may have you gleeful, disturbed, relieved, or worried. Many of us have had to get creative with our workspaces at home and may be desperate for a real desk. Others of us have found it both pleasant and difficult to have some new, furry coworkers. Take, for example, the woman who had to get her cat his own laptop so he would stop laying on hers.
Whether you are dreading the commute or eager to get away from your children, it is important that we prepare ourselves for life back at the office. We are, after all, social beings. Coming together in one space helps with teamwork, creates a divide between home and work, and gives exposure to organizational culture that influences professional development and the passion we feel for our work.
As we prepare for this return, here are some timely reminders of office etiquette.
1. Introduce Yourself to New Hires
While these persons may not feel like new hires if they were brought on remotely, you are meeting them for the first time face-to-face. Be friendly and make them feel welcomed. It is a learning curve to be on-boarded remotely, and then having to deal later with in-person interactions.
2. Be Punctual
Give yourself extra time to get to work and to arrive at meetings. Chances are that we have all gotten used to the lack of a commute and to clicking a Zoom link to join a meeting rather than walking to a conference room.
3. Stay Professional
This strange time of remote work has given us a view into the personal lives of our coworkers, but this was not necessarily a choice that everyone felt comfortable with. It is appropriate to acknowledge how connections may have formed from changes due to the pandemic; however, be aware of personal boundaries and oversharing.
4. Respect Shared Spaces
Keep things tidy at the coffee station or kitchen. This is no longer your home where you can clean up messes later if there is something more pressing. If you enjoy listening to music or podcasts, bring headphones. Take into consideration how loud conversations or nervous habits like tapping your pen may distract others around you.
5. Practice Compassion
In the last year or so there were many disagreements regarding health precautions, protests, and political stances. Strive to respect each one of your coworkers and try to find common ground, even if it is just your professional interests. Do not gossip about or criticize others. Instead, practice compassion.
6. Follow Health Regulations
The coronavirus pandemic is not over. This means we have to be courteous to others and cautious of our actions. Follow the regulations of the CDC to take care of your own health and the health of others around you. No one enjoys living through a health crisis, but we can choose to make the best of our situation. Try not to spread negativity — we are all experiencing stress and loss in some way or another.
