Co-workers peeved? For starters, wake up and sip, not slurp, the coffee
It's not often, but occasionally Workbytes runs into an avid reader. Who knew?
This reader - Lynette Spicer - works for the Iowa State University Extension.
We don't really know what she does there, but we do know her co-workers had better be on their best behavior.
That is because Spicer is always looking for ideas for her next blog post on civility in the workplace.
Spicer thought she was civil enough until several years ago when she heard a speech by Giovinella Gonthier, author of "Rude Awakenings: Overcoming the Civility Crisis in the Workplace."
"She mentioned things I do at work that had never occurred to me to be uncivil," Spicer said.
Her blog, coincidently titled "Civility in the Workplace," addresses all kinds of issues from handshakes and pet peeves to bullying and dress codes.
The idea for the blog came from when she was asked to give a seminar on civility for ISU Extension. She wanted something that people could actually use after the session. Now, Spicer, with the support of her boss, Elaine Edwards, writes about the nasty things we do, sometimes unintentionally, to our co-workers.
She, with the help of experts from around the country, address things that sometimes go unsaid.
"Everybody has problems, so people can relate to it," she said. "I want to make people think about how to handle situations better."
But the posts about rudeness, gossiping and even underwear weren't an immediate hit.
"I learned not to be disappointed when people didn't comment on what I was writing," she said.
Workbytes knows that feeling, Lynette.
But the readers came, and the suggestions rolled in. Even her co-workers now let her know what they agree and disagree with.
So, with her creditability established, Workbytes asked Spicer what we could do to improve civility in the workplace.
Misunderstanding one another and failing to be inclusive can lead to problems in the workplace, she said.
Her tip: communication.
"In our haste, we forget to treat people how we would like to be treated back," she said.
Just a few of the offenses against civility: stealing things off desks, not answering someone's question, talking on cell phones in the middle of meetings, and talking loudly enough on the phone to bother cube mates.
Anyone can benefit from Spicer's collection of advice - that is, "anyone who works in a workplace," Spicer said.
Workbytes sampled her blog and pulled some favorites that we would like to pass along (and not just because we are guilty of them).
- Slurping coffee loudly at meetings is rude.
Workbytes solutions: Hook up the caffeine IV while driving Interstate Highway 235 at 7:30 a.m. going 80 mph. But for the more cautious, Spicer said: "I thought about having a talk with my coffee mug. To tell it to stay home in my cubicle or the break room, so I could not be slurping coffee in front of someone's cubicle. (I'm pretty sure the mug can still attend meetings, if I don't slurp.) It helps me be more civil if I understand what annoys others."
- Avoiding the misunderstood e-mail by sending a handwritten note.
"When did you last receive a handwritten note? Do you remember who sent it? Most likely you do remember. It takes time and effort to write a note to congratulate someone, say thank you for a meal or a favor, or extend a condolence," she wrote.
Workbytes agrees. Plus, it is easier to take the note in the bathroom to read than the laptop.
"In this hurried world, filled with electronic messages, people appreciate a personal touch because it is so rare. Written notes are powerful," Spicer writes.
- Stop the endless meetings.
This is a pet peeve of Workbytes - pay attention.
"When did meeting agendas go out of vogue?" Spicer said. "Who decided we had endless time to sit through unfocused meetings? We're all pushed to produce more in less time in our jobs." You tell 'em, sister!
"Unfocused meetings are not a good fit. An agenda, a good agenda, spells out the purpose of the meeting. If there is no purpose, it goes without saying - there should be no meeting."
- If people have to stare at your chest, make sure it is the right side.
Here is something even Workbytes didn't know: "Wear your name badge on your right side," Spicer said.
At first, it didn't make sense - what difference does it make if people still have to look at your chest to see your name. (Yes, we realize this is a bigger problem for about half the population than it is for the other half.)
But there actually is a civil reason.
"The person you shake hands with can easily read your name," Spicer wrote. "It's a civil thing to do for those who didn't understand your name when introduced or can't quite think of your name if he or she should know you or is one of those visual types who needs to see the name in print to remember it."
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