Lumia and workplace etiquette
Good manners aren’t just meant for dinner parties.
Whether you work in a cubicle or a corner office suite, following business protocol makes for a more pleasant and productive work environment.
We’ve compiled some of the top do’s and don’ts for workplace etiquette that, partnered with your Lumia phone, could be helpful to those of you just starting out in the working world as well as those angling for a mid-career promotion:
Do arrive on time. Don’t be the person who swans into the office 20 minutes after everyone else. And don’t be late for meetings, whether they’re face to face or virtual. If you do get held up for some reason, send a quick email or text to your boss or others in the meeting so they won’t wonder where you are.
Tip: Use the Calendar feature on your Lumia to remind you 15 minutes ahead of time of upcoming meetings.
Do use correct grammar and punctuation. When emailing or texting friends, it’s okay to use slang or shortcuts. Not so in the workplace, unless you work in a company that lives and breathes them. Take the same care in writing email that you would for a company report or any other published work. That means correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Tip: The Word Flow keyboard available via Windows Phone 8.1, with its shape-writing functionality and intelligent word-prediction engine, makes it easier to ensure your messages are spelled correctly.
Don’t take personal calls unless absolutely necessary. Personal phone calls can be distracting, especially if you work in a cubicle or open-plan office. If you must take a personal call, keep it brief and answer in the hallway or outside.
Tip: Set your Lumia phone to vibrate so you won’t disturb your colleagues with the ringtone you love, but others might hate.
Do silence or turn off gadgets in meetings. It’s hard to focus when your smartphone is constantly beeping and buzzing with incoming emails, phone calls, and text messages.
Tip: If you have Windows Phone 8.1, you can ask Cortana to activate Quiet Hours to limit distractions. If people call or text, your virtual assistant can answer that you’re busy. Better yet, turn off your phone and focus all of your attention to the subject at hand.
Don’t eat smelly food or wear cologne. Save that pungent and spicy dish for dinner at home. And keep that cologne bottled up until your next night out on the town! Strong scents can linger for a long time and can be offensive or even allergic to coworkers.
Tip: Recipe apps such as AllRecipes.com Dinner Spinner can help you prepare office-friendly meals.
Don’t confuse “leisure wear” with “office wear.” Follow your company’s dress code. If your office has a buttoned-up environment, dress on the conservative side. Dark suits and ties are de rigeur for many law firms and financial institutions, while tech companies and nonprofit organizations tend to have a more casual dress code.
Tip: Get style tips with apps such as Wear It (under “settings,” choose whether you want to see outfits and editor’s picks for adults, women, men, or kids).
Have you been guilty of not following any of these work guidelines? Do you have any you’d like to share?