December 3, 2015

Sticky Situation: Act Your Age at the Office

Posted: 09/11/2012 12:24 pm EDT Updated: 11/11/2012 5:12 am ES

Sticky, even costly, workplace incivility: Don't be that guy or that girl, be the one.

Solution(s):
Do you ever feel like standing on top of your desk to belt out Aretha Franklin's anthem, R-E-S-P-E-C-T to "that guy" or "that girl"? Sadly, you are not alone.

Although you may wish you could, by respect for yourself and for your employer, you press forward on the queen of soul's album and instead play "I say a little prayer." To the rhythm of the gospel blues, you show restraint, take a deep breath, count to ten or go for a walk. In that one moment, you are making the one choice to be civil. It only takes one: one moment, one choice and one person to initiate civility.

When I conduct civility workshops, participants are always surprised to hear about the costs of the little niggles of the contemporary workplace.

Eighty percent of employees admit to losing time worrying about uncivil behaviors in their office, clinic, firm or organization. Time is money.

Workplace incivility is not bullying. It is often the result of that guy, or that girl's, one bad day and their individual one choice to not care or not listen. It could be as simple as not using the magic words: "please," "thank you," "hello" or "I'm sorry." It may be as distracting as that guy constantly checking his PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) for emails or texting during a presentation. It can also be as frustrating as that girl taking credit for someone else's idea or passing blame for her own mistake. It is as subtle as his sigh, her roll of the eyes and them withholding information. It could even be as damaging as that guy making a demeaning or derogatory remark to someone.

Click on Link:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/julie-blais-comeau/office-etiquette_b_1873251.html