Title

Protocol Actually

Keep Professionalism In...
and Drama Out

Working with people forty hours a week means that you come to confide in each other, but how much trust is too much? If a happy workplace is one with a certain level of professional distance, learning to find the right boundaries is essential to keeping the workplace a pleasant place to be.

By Angela Baca

 

Too often, the workplace loses its professionally friendly atmosphere to the personal problems of, or between, employees. This can lead to a disruption in productivity, employee unrest, even the loss of the office’s good reputation. Employees can’t be dismissed because of passive-aggressive interpersonal issues or problems in their private lives, but they also seem to be unable to keep drama out of the office. So what can you do to heighten the level of professionalism in your place of work?

Set an Example

The first step to take, whether as a supervisor or employee, is to set a good example. If you hold yourself to a certain set of standards, others are sure to notice. Refrain from saying anything malicious about another employee’s work or character—in fact, you may find that it’s best not to say anything negative about anyone. This way co-workers and employees will know that you are not one to share dirt-- and are more likely to understand that it is inappropriate.

If you speak in a quiet, clear voice to every person, showing the same level of respect to all people you encounter on a daily basis, others will pick up on your tone—even subconsciously. Others will have to quiet their own voices to an acceptable volume (which is healthy for a work environment) in order to hear what you have to say. Simultaneously, when you treat others with respect, they will want to hear what you have to say and will show you (and hopefully others) the same respect in return.

Even clothing can set the tone for a professional environment. The more people who dress with cleanliness and care, the more that others will be willing to follow this example: wearing work-appropriate attire can set a trend that will create a winning look for visitors as well as promoting professional behaviour.

“Leave It at Home”

As a supervisor, one blanket rule you should set is, “Leave it at home”. This means that work is for work-related issues and that intimate or personal problems are unwelcome in the work environment. A professional person knows how to keep his or her work life separate, and knows that personal problems should be dealt with away from the office.

Of course, employees should also be treated as human beings, and if a personal issue is preventing them from working efficiently, clocking in promptly or feeling safe, you should make yourself open to one-on-one meetings to discuss and resolve problems. Others must feel you see them as individuals and that you are willing to be flexible and supportive should the need arise. Just make clear those problems with or at work should be brought immediately and directly to the appropriate person before the issue gets blown out of proportion.

As an employee, you can also make a habit of leaving home-related issues at home. Small-talk is fine, but larger issues (like arguments, divorce or finances) should not be shared with co-workers who may use your confessions as invitation to talk about their own dysfunctional lives. Discontent feeds off discontent, and you’re bound to find yourself feeling even unhappier that you told anyone about your problems than relief that you got it off your chest. Before long, the whole office may know you’ve filed for bankruptcy, been asked for a divorce or had a run-in with your mother-in-law.  Co-workers are not the same as friends: all too often others can have ulterior motives, using people at work to fill needs missing in their lives. They are not confidants, no matter how well-intentioned they may be.

Maintain a Distance

Finally, when you are seeking ways to contribute to a professional environment, maintain a distance. It is great to have a smooth working relationship with co-workers, but aside from the company Christmas party, closer relations can become problematic.

Sometimes, a wish to protect the feelings of others will put you in a bad position. For example, if you currently take your lunches with co-workers, you may feel uncomfortable extricating yourself from that group because you are worried how they will interpret it. If, from the beginning, you establish that sometimes you will take lunch with them if it is convenient for you, then you are free to take lunch at a different time, with someone else, or simply work through lunch at your desk without having to worry how it will be construed.

If leaving your personal problems at home is good advice, the opposite is also true: leave your work at work. Going out with co-workers can mix the two lives unpleasantly—after all, some of the reasons that co-workers are tolerable is that you only have to spend eight hours a day with them and no more. Sometimes it’s best not to know how someone will behave with a couple of drinks in them, at dinner or while bowling—you might find that any annoying quirk they have will become more evident when you work with them. This can interfere with having a pleasant working relationship.

A more professional workplace is a more pleasant workplace. Taking strides to meet your own degree of professionalism will encourage others to follow. Whether as a supervisor or employee, examining your own behaviour and taking pains not to get involved with co-workers' lives on a personal level can only improve the work environment. Maintain professionalism and keep on-the-job drama at bay.

What's your experience with workplace dramas?

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