At a work dinner during a professional conference, a colleague shamed a reader for ordering meat in front of vegetarian bosses. Amy Dickinson advises that the colleague's behavior was rude and unprofessional, and that the bosses likely have no issue with the reader's dietary choices. She suggests that the colleague's attempt to suck up by shaming the reader was unappetizing and emphasizes the importance of representing the organization positively and responsibly.
Valerie Rodriguez, a human-resources director with 10 years of experience, shares three things to never do at work: don't overshare personal information, don't be too humble about your accomplishments, and don't stick around too long at company parties. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining professional boundaries, advocating for oneself, and being cautious at social events to avoid negative consequences in the workplace.
In a new Wall Street Journal feature, recruiters and headhunters share stories of embarrassing etiquette faux pas during the hiring process. One recruiter recalls a candidate who was up for a partner job at a professional services firm and derailed his chances by ordering two steaks during the final interview dinner with the client at The Palm.
As hybrid work becomes more prevalent, it's important to navigate the new rules of meeting etiquette. Experts advise always wearing pants, maintaining a tidy background, and controlling distractions. Body language and facial expressions are amplified in virtual meetings, so be conscious of your actions. Use the chat function sparingly and make an effort to include all attendees. Snacking should be kept off-screen, unless it's a lunch meeting. Acknowledge any extenuating circumstances and respect everyone's time by starting and ending meetings punctually.
Workplace therapist advises against discussing work at office holiday parties, suggesting that it is a time to socialize and build stronger connections with colleagues. Instead, focus on non-business topics such as family, interests, and backgrounds. It is important to have a plan for the party, including setting limits on alcohol consumption and deciding when to leave. Consider spending time with specific colleagues and introducing them to your significant other or friend. Social missteps at office parties can be difficult to recover from, so it is crucial to be mindful of your behavior.
Miss Manners advises a couple who can hear everything happening in the guest room above their bedroom to pretend they can't hear anything and use soundproofing techniques to avoid making their guests uncomfortable. In another question, Miss Manners suggests telling a persistent friend who wants to rekindle a romantic relationship that the friendship is platonic and that the person has a committed partner. She also recommends informing the current partner about the situation. Miss Manners clarifies that there is no etiquette rule dictating how long to wait before putting trash in a recently changed trash bin. She advises an office administrator who is often called "Dear" by male callers to respond by saying, "I'm sorry, do we know one another?" to discourage such familiarity. Miss Manners advises against sharing the details of a good deal when receiving compliments on clothing or accessories, as it may prolong the conversation and not be of interest to the complimenter. She suggests simply saying "thank you." Additionally, Miss Manners advises a person with high anxiety to politely decline attending their boss's daughter's wedding without offering an excuse. Lastly, Miss Manners recommends apologizing and offering logistical and financial help to replace a pair of glasses that were accidentally dropped and run over by a car.
A woman caught her boss scrolling through Instagram during her performance review after noticing the reflection of her boss's phone screen on her glasses. She shared a video on TikTok, advising others to remove their glasses if they want to scroll unnoticed during virtual meetings. The incident highlights the double standard where bosses often hold employees to higher standards than they hold themselves. Suggestions were made to use non-reflective lenses or adjust lighting to avoid screen reflections.
An anonymous Reddit user shared a photo of an alleged sign posted in a hospital behavioral health unit that claims employees need to pay $2 for every microwave use or $30 for unlimited monthly microwave use, according to her friend who reportedly saw the sign in-person. The Reddit post has received over 36,700 upvotes and generated over 1,600 comments. While some commenters saw the humor in the pay-per-microwave sign, others believe it’s likely a joke or a way to deter messy coworkers.
A woman was fired from her job after revealing her plans to go back to college and pursue a career in healthcare during a conversation with her boss. Despite being a top-performing employee, her honesty about her future plans put her job position on the line. Her employer cited her comments as the reason for her termination. Viewers advised against telling employers about future plans until they are solidified to avoid being suddenly fired.
A job candidate was rejected within five minutes of his interview for being rude and dismissive to the receptionist, who turned out to be the hiring manager. The story, shared on Reddit, highlights the importance of first impressions and workplace etiquette. Even if the receptionist is not the hiring manager, their opinion may still be taken into account during the hiring process. The incident serves as a reminder to be respectful to everyone in the workplace.
