Businesses expect a certain level of professionalism from their employees during work hours and when on company property. Workplace etiquette is important for making first impressions and maintaining healthy relationships with superiors and peers. Communication, behavior, and appearance are three are the crucial factors that make a great professional employee, as these are characteristics that can contribute to a company in its goals to be profitable. Most businesses, no matter the industry, sets certain guidelines to which its employees are expected to adhere to, these rules are usually explained in the employee handbook. This paper will discuss the pros and cons to proper workplace behavior and a possible compromise for employee workplace etiquette.
Professionalism is essentially, the knowledge that an individual conveys about a certain field. At work, professionalism refers to a person doing his or her job with sincerity, and maintaining professional etiquette and ethics in the workplace. Companies specify which behaviors are acceptable, and which are not, when they first start the hiring process for a new employee. Some even give a summary of what is expected conduct in the job descriptions. A company that sets behavior guidelines usually addresses topics such as, workplace harassment, proper workplace attire, and communication requirements. Employees who do not follow the code of conduct could receive written and verbal warnings, and may eventually be fired. But sometimes there are workers who do not abide by these rules and disrupt the balance of the work environment. Vulgar language, inappropriate behavior, and lackluster appearance can all cause a negative effect on others in the workplace.