Chapter 11: Professionalism
Anita Hedlund
Being polite, pleasant to work with, and having people trust you to honor your commitments are all part of workplace etiquette. A University of Massachusetts Global article (n.d.) on professional etiquette pointed out that tact, being communicative and reliable are what companies are looking for in job candidates. People with these attributes are seen as more competent and valuable as employees (UMassGlobal, n.d.) Essentially, etiquette is rooted in respect (UMassglobal, n.d.). Keeping your work area tidy and using proper language in an email or other communication are also part of etiquette. Show that you value information being shared by taking notes in a meeting, use body language that demonstrates your attention and engagement with what is being presented, and ask relevant questions. All of those are indications of caring about your team and your work. People notice if someone is on their phone or appears bored during a meeting.
The key is to think about how what you do and say affects others. This includes how much time you spend on personal matters, oversharing about yourself, or posting about the workplace on social media. The best choice is not to do so at all. Carefully consider what you are saying and how it reflects on the organization, your co-workers, and confidentiality. People have lost their jobs for using poor judgment and violating social media policies. Do not discuss anyone else’s health or healthcare visits on social media, you may be violating HIPAA laws. Example: Amy is pregnant. She posts on Facebook that she is frustrated about her blood pressure being high. A friend, Grace, works in the OB/GYN clinic Amy goes to. Grace replies to Amy’s post saying “call the office, that is what we are seeing you for!” Grace is later fired for a HIPAA violation because she disclosed private health information.
While it is not realistic to get along well with everyone, be careful to not criticize coworkers or try to make them “look bad”. Find common ground and be tactful when discussing others’ work. Resist participating in gossip, as this is the opposite of professional and can bring your team down or negatively affect the department’s culture. Recognize each person’s value and be inclusive of all people regardless of how they differ from you.
When sending information electronically such as via email, be sure you have provided a clear explanation of what is needed. For example if the subject line of an email reads “Wednesday Meeting”, this comes across as vague and could lead to confusion. A recipient reading that subject line might wonder if you are planning to attend, or if you can’t attend, or maybe that you might want to move the location. Instead a sender might want to imagine they are the recipient and think of a descriptive subject that outlines the request and ensures a prompt and accurate response. If the subject instead reads “Item to Add to Meeting Agenda for Wednesday”, it instantly becomes clear what the communication covers. When you meet with someone or a group, it is a good idea to send out a recap of the action items or tasks everyone has agreed to complete, so all members of the team are clear on their responsibilities and roles. If you met with Mary, Jose and Yin Yin, you might write in your recap that Mary will investigate the cost for a new copier, Jose will follow up with the manager about booking an inservice with the IV pump vendor, and Yin Yin will write a medical algorithm for a new treatment process being used, and have it completed by the 15th of the month for review. Because the recap was sent to all that attended, it will be easy for individuals to follow up on progress when they meet again.
Originally a French word, etiquette describes a code of acceptable behavior and rules that apply both socially and professionally