Office Etiquette Training for New Hires? Why Some Companies Think It’s Critical

Starting a new job can be overwhelming, with new faces, new responsibilities, and new expectations. But what about new office etiquette?

While it may seem like common sense, many companies are now implementing etiquette training for new hires. Nearly 45% of companies currently provide office etiquette training, and an additional 18% are planning to introduce it by 2024, as revealed in a recent ResumeBuilder report. This data is based on a survey involving over 1,500 business leaders.

In this article, we’ll explore the importance of office etiquette training and how it can benefit both new employees and the company as a whole.

Why Is Office Etiquette Important?

Office etiquette refers to the unwritten rules and expectations of behavior in a professional setting. It includes everything from how to dress to how to communicate with colleagues and superiors.

Creating a Positive Work Environment

One of the main reasons why office etiquette is important is that it helps create a positive work environment. When everyone fully understands how to behave and interact with each other, it can lead to a more harmonious and productive workplace.

Etiquette training can help new hires understand the company culture and expectations, helping them smoothly integrate into their teams. This can also help prevent conflicts and misunderstandings between colleagues.

Building Professionalism

Etiquette training can also help new hires develop a sense of professionalism. This includes understanding appropriate behavior in meetings, how to communicate effectively, and how to handle difficult situations.

By learning these skills early on, new employees can establish themselves as competent and professional team members, which could lead to career advancement opportunities in the future.

Improving Customer Interactions

In many industries, employees are expected to interact with customers or clients on a regular basis. Etiquette training can help new hires understand how to represent the company in a professional manner and handle any potential conflicts or difficult situations involving customer service.

This can lead to better customer satisfaction and retention, as well as a positive reputation for the company.

What Does Etiquette Training Include?

Etiquette training can cover a wide range of topics, depending on the company and industry. Some common areas that may be covered include:

Dress Code

Many companies have a dress code in place, and new hires may not be aware of it. Etiquette training can include guidelines on appropriate attire for the workplace, including any specific dress code policies.

Communication

Effective communication is crucial in any workplace. Etiquette training can cover topics such as email etiquette, phone etiquette, and how to communicate with colleagues and superiors in a professional manner.

Meeting Etiquette

Meetings are a common occurrence in most workplaces, and knowing how to professionally behave in a meeting is important. Etiquette training can cover topics such as punctuality, active listening, and how to contribute effectively to a meeting.

Conflict Resolution

No workplace is free from conflicts, and knowing how to handle them professionally is essential. Etiquette training can provide new hires with the skills to resolve conflicts in a calm and respectful manner.

Social Media Etiquette

In today’s digital age, social media can play a significant role in shaping a company’s image. Etiquette training can include guidelines on appropriate social media use and how to represent the company online.

How Gen Z Can Benefit

According to the ResumeBuilder report, employers are particularly concerned about Gen Z employees, many of whom began their professional lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when many employees were working from home rather than from a traditional workplace. A considerable portion of survey participants acknowledged Gen Z employees’ proficiency in technical abilities like using office machinery and basic PC software. However, fewer participants deemed them skilled in aspects such as maintaining polite eye contact or accepting differing perspectives.

Establishing office norms and giving direction to new hires is crucial, experts say. HR can contribute by designating a mentor or colleague with soft skills training to assist Gen Z employees in adapting to the office atmosphere.

Why Office Etiquette Is Critical for Virtual Workers

It’s not just Gen Z that’s adjusting to new standards of office etiquette. Workers of all ages are still figuring out behavior in a virtual environment. Virtual etiquette includes being mindful of time zones, managing video call fatigue, and effective online communication. These skills have become crucial in the post-COVID workplace.

In addition to etiquette, interpersonal skills are also in demand. Building resilience and rapport across teams and learning how to deal with difficult people at work are areas that employers want their workers to develop. It’s important to note that “reboarding,” which refers to training that helps employees readjust to the office, includes workers of all ages. This training can help foster a close and inclusive team, considering the mix of in-person and remote workers.

A Real-World Company That Has Experienced Success with Etiquette Training

Many companies have already implemented etiquette training for new hires, with positive results. Here are a few examples:

Google

Google is known for its unique company culture, and part of that includes etiquette training for new hires. The company has a program called “Googler-to-Googler” where experienced employees share their knowledge and experiences with new hires.

This includes topics such as communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Google believes that this training helps new hires understand the company culture and expectations, leading to a more positive and productive work environment. 

The Bottom Line

Etiquette training for new hires may seem unnecessary, but it can have a significant impact on the workplace. By creating a positive work environment, building professionalism, and improving customer interactions, etiquette training can benefit new employees and the entire company.