When working in a workplace all day, it’s of great importance to show good manners and proper etiquette. The essence of good job etiquette and manners is to be respectful and courteous at all times and with everybody. Avoiding bad manners at work is such a simple thing to do and can have a profound impact on improving your working environment and your relationships with others. These basic job etiquette and manners can help you act appropriately and build good relationships in the workplace.

■Keep Appropriate Dressing and Grooming

Dress professionally, or in the manner expected at your particular work site. Do not wear ultra-casual, provocative or evening attire or expose midriff to display body piercing and tattoos. Clothing, hair, hands and nails should always be clean and neat. Take a shower or bath regularly. Perfume or cologne should be used sparingly or not at all. Clothes should be pressed and fit properly, with no missing buttons or lint. Make sure the shoe heels are not worn down.

■Adopt Appropriate Behavior while Working

It is bad manners to chew gum and pop bubble gum in the presence of co-workers. Scratching, yawning, flossing teeth, playing with hair, cleaning finger-nails, putting on make-up are also not good practice at the workplace.

Do not cough or sneeze in anyone’s direction. Use a tissue, if possible, to contain the germs and then say “Excuse me”. It’s better not to speak in a loud or aggressive manner or leave your personal cell phone on during business hours; please use the vibrating feature if needed. Separate your private life from your professional life and deal with your personal affairs during your personal time, for instance, during lunch hour. You should keep your technology items (such as, radio, mp3) low or use a headset and be especially quiet in areas where coworkers are making business calls or in conversations with other coworkers or clients. It’s also impolite to drum your fingers on the desk even if you’re impatient or annoyed at an individual or other people in the room.

Keep using office appliances for personal usage to a minimum, such as a company phone, fax and photocopying machine. Do not steal office stationary. Do so as discretely as possible because you don’t want to encourage this type of behavior.

■Minimize Your Interruptions

Don’t constantly interrupt people. Doing so will suggest that your time is more important than theirs. If your co-worker is on the phone but you need to ask a question urgently, don’t linger. Tap them on the shoulder and whisper that you need them for a minute and to call or see you when they are done. If your co-worker is carrying a work related conversation, don’t interrupt—just wait for them to finish or ask them to see you when they end their conversation. Keep your interruptions of others to a minimum and always show your apology if your intrusion is an interruption of a discussion, someone’s concentration or other activity. Do knock the door before entering other workspaces.

■Be Courteous in Words

Always use “please” and “thank you” no matter what is your rank in the company. Make requests instead of giving order which shows consideration of others and be careful of tone of your voice. A few nice words can keep the atmosphere of the office uplifting or at least keep the mood from turning foul. When you encounter co-workers in the hallway and this person isn’t particularly your friend, smile or nod. Acknowledge that they are there. You don’t have to run over and hug them but just say hello. Imagine what kind of message you send when you look the other way to purposely avoid contact.

Do not use nasty words in the workplace. Although it’s not uncommon today to hear a coworker spouting obscenities, it is rude, should be avoided, and can lead to sexual harassment complaints. It is also not a good practice to comment about a co-worker’s dress or appearance and gossip about any co-worker’s private life.

■Praise in Public; Criticize in Private

Praise should be given whenever it is deserved; unrecognized accomplishments breed complacency. Avoid using harsh criticisms; instead, be constructive in pointing out mistakes without personal attack. Take responsibility for your mistakes, apologize and try to correct the mistakes.

If your supervisor criticizes your work, enquire about what precisely is wrong with it. Consider the comments, discuss them amiably if you disagree with the comments but comply with the supervisor’s opinion if he/she is adamant. If there is conflict, do not get personal in your comments.

■Respect Others’ Privacy

Be sensitive to others’ need for privacy. Don’t read someone else’s emails, mails, faxes, or computer screens. Only share personal things at work that you wouldn’t mind reading in next week’s newspaper. Don’t linger about while waiting for a co-worker to get off the phone. Leave a note for them to call you or meet later.

Keep a proper distance between you and your colleagues; extreme physical closeness during a conversation will make the other person feel uncomfortable. As far as touching, do remember that it’s better to be safe than sued. Touching in the office is best avoided, aside from the business handshake.

■Keep Your Personal Workspace Clean and Neat

You should keep your workplace tidy and try not to be messy. Try not to eat or drink at your desk as much as you can. The noise, the smell, and the inconvenience of the waste after that are not appealing. Eating should be done in a dining area or privately. Use discretion when displaying personal items such as mementos and family photos so as not to overdo, clutter, and obstruct your work area.

■Use Shared Areas with Respect and Courtesy

Workplace kitchens can be the biggest source of co-worker tension. If you expect your co-workers to clean up after themselves, model that behavior yourself. Some basic business etiquette rules are to wash and return all kitchen items to their proper place, wipe counter tops or tables and clean spills as needed. Help maintain supplies as needed. When leaving food items in a shared refrigerator, tag all items with your name and date. Remove all items at the end of your work week and give away or recycle empty containers.

■Quit Your Job Properly

How you quitting your job may affect your business career for your entire future. The etiquette quitting a job is to first check your company regulations specifying how much notice is required. Keep that in mind when you apply for new jobs, especially if this affects your start date.

Always get a resignation letter ready. If you haven’t written one, your company might request for one. Let your supervisor know as soon as possible the minute you know which day you are going to leave (or start a new job) and tell him/her in person or write a letter suggesting a termination date.

Express appreciation when it is final. You may want to write a thank-you letter, highlighting all the opportunities that have been extended to you. Keep your statements brief and positive.