Learn
Expectations
Employee Handbook
The easiest way to learn what is acceptable and unacceptable conduct in a specific organization is to read their employee handbook. Many companies publish their policy manual on their company website as well.
Acceptable Conduct
All types of businesses have policies in place for acceptable conduct and performance on the job.
The policy manual or employment handbook that you will receive upon accepting a job will include specific guidelines that you are expected to follow.
As part of your orientation as a new employee, your training will include rules, regulations, and behavioral expectations.
Periodically, companies will offer sessions as part of their ongoing professional development for all employees to remind them of expectations, consequences, and correct protocol should issues arise
Unacceptable Conduct
Johns Hopkins University and health system has developed a website specifically from recommendations of their Risk Management Team whose mission is to prevent disrupting behaviors from escalating.
Safe at Hopkins is a great resource featuring topics on awareness, prevention, and response options. As part of the published research, they listed specific inappropriate and disrespectful conduct.
These behaviors range from non-verbal actions to aggressive behaviors. Sexual harassment, including sexual comments and unwanted touching, is always inappropriate. Improper use of company equipment including misuse of company computers is also considered inappropriate.
Dress Code
Your adherence to the company required dress code is also considered part of acceptable workplace etiquette.
Business dress codes have relaxed over the years, but some employees have trouble understanding that while you are on the job you are representing the company and should dress according to the company's expectations.
Workplace Attire
Workplace attire tied to professionalism – and success, an article in Lehigh Valley Business, reports:
Conflicts arise when employees prefer to dress comfortably or in the most recent styles rather than realize the importance for them to present themselves in a more professional or conservative manner. The major reason why dressing in proper business attire is important is that it presents a visual image and sends a message that the employees are professional. Your image to this outsider will be the image remembered of your company. In reality, that image could indirectly mean the difference between securing a new deal, contract or sale and losing the opportunity to make that deal.
Just as your appearance, behavior, and communication skills enable you to get through the interview; they are also equally important in keeping the job.
Consequences
Disruptive Behavior
MMany companies have plans in place for disruptive behavior because the impact of it affects productivity, employee morale self-esteem, confidence in the company as well as the reputation of the company.
No one wants to work in a stressful environment fueled by disrespectful and unprofessional workers. If an employee is constantly worried about what he or she will experience while at work, they will likely be distracted and unable to perform their best work.
Stress
The increased stress from an unwelcoming work environment can cause employees to experience physical and psychological problems.
Stress can cause physical and psychological symptoms such as high blood pressure, heart disease, digestive issues, eating disorders, drug abuse, and depression.
These types of problems can lead to an employee taking medical or sick leave. When employees are consistently absent, others have to pick up the slack resulting in productivity issues and low morale.
Addressing Unacceptable Behavior
As an employee, if you do not adhere to the stated guidelines for acceptable behavior, you can expect to be called into a meeting with your supervisor to discuss what you are doing or not doing in regard to the company's expectations.
Most employers will give good employees the benefit of the doubt and try to diffuse the situation by simply having a casual conversation concerning the problem.
Sometimes employees are unaware that they were creating a problem and did not realize that their behavior was annoying or distracting to others.
Written Plans
Sometimes a few non-confrontational words will be enough to set them on the right track.
If the employee is willingly ignoring the stated policies, they will be given a more formal verbal warning by the supervisor and may be given a specific timeline to correct the offending behavior.
The supervisor may formulate a written plan with steps or goals for improvement.
Disciplinary Action
These meetings and suggestions are normally written up and placed in the employee's personnel file as one of the first steps toward discipline. If there is another occurrence, a different type of disciplinary action such as suspension from duties for a specified time without pay may be given. Ultimately, consistent inappropriate behavior will lead to termination of employment.
Policy and procedure violations are serious business and will not be tolerated without disciplinary action.