case study on business etiquette

Jeffrey Seglin’s “The Simple Art of Business Etiquette: How to Rise to the Top by Playing Nice”

In this section.

• Faculty Publications
• Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
• Behind The Book
• Political Buttons
• Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH)
• Web Archive

About Author

Jeffrey L. Seglin is the Director of the HKS Communications Program and a Senior Lecturer in Public Policy. He writes The Right Thing , a weekly column on general ethics that has been syndicated by Tribune Media Services since September 2010. From 2004 through 2010, he wrote an ethics column distributed by The New York Times Syndicate. From 1998 through 2004, Seglin wrote a monthly business ethics column for the Sunday New York Times Money and Business section. Prior to 1998, Seglin was an executive editor at Inc. magazine. He is the author of The Simple Art of Business Etiquette: How to Rise to the Top by Playing Nice (2016). His book, The Right Thing: Conscience, Profit and Personal Responsibility in Today's Business , was named one of the Best Business Books of 2003 by Library Journal.

From 1999 until 2011, Seglin was a tenured associate professor at Emerson College in Boston where he was also the director of the graduate program in publishing and writing. He is an ethics fellow at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, and was a resident fellow at the Center for the Study of Values in Public Life at Harvard in 1998-99. Seglin lectures widely on business ethics. He has taught in the Executive MBA Program at University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Fast Track Executive MBA Program at Virginia Commonwealth University, Duke Corporate Education, and elsewhere. He was the host of “ Doing Well by Doing Good, ” an hour-long live television program airing out of WCVE, PBSs Richmond affiliate. He has also lectured on writing and other topics. He has contributed commentaries to Public Radio ’ s Marketplace, and is regularly featured as an expert on ethics on CNN, CNBC, Fox 25 Boston, CBS Sunday Morning, Fox Business, and other media outlets. He has written for publications including Fortune, Real Simple, FSB, Salon.com, Time.com, Sojourners, MIT's Sloan Management Review, Harvard Management Update, Business 2.0, and ForbesASAP, among others.

In 2014 and 2017, Seglin was a recipient of the Manuel C. Carballo Award for Excellence in Teaching at Harvard Kennedy School. Seglin holds a masters degree in theological studies from The Divinity School at Harvard University, and a bachelor of arts degree in English from Bethany College in West Virginia. He lives in Boston with his wife, Nancy, a therapist.

Book Description

Practicing business etiquette doesn’t mean pretending to be someone you’re not. Brimming with practical, up-to-date tips on minding your business manners, The Simple Art of Business Etiquette guides you through the tricky territory of office etiquette with real-life stories and workplace scenarios. Become attuned to body language (don’t gawk at others during meetings or at any other time -- it’s creepy). Engage in thoughtful introductions (don’t guess at someone’s name if you don’t remember it). Practice proper e-mail etiquette (do you really want to be the jerk who sends annoying e-mails around the office?). Curtail office conflicts (never punch anyone in the workplace -- never). Exhibit workplace sensitivity (listen to your coworkers without cutting them off). Plus, decode the 15 most commonly-used phrases in business.

The Simple Art of Business Etiquette proves that minding your manners goes a long way toward successfully advancing your career.

“With a great sense of humor, sage advice and practical tips, Jeffrey Seglin reminds us to overcome the complexities of the modern workplace and get back to the basics. This helpful roadmap for succeeding in today’s world is a must read for new and seasoned professionals alike.” – Melodie Jackson, Associate Dean for Communications and Public Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School

“ With gentle humor, keen insight, and plain common sense, Jeffrey L. Seglin offers compelling advice for acting effectively and ethically at the same time. Don’t be fooled by the focus on business etiquette. This is really a book on how to be a decent human being in every aspect of daily life. ” ―Kenneth Winston, Harvard University, Author of Ethics in Public Life: Good Practitioners in a Rising Asia

“ The Simple Art of Business Etiquette is a fun and fast guide on how to engage productively in today’s rapidly evolving workplace. This book has helpful tips for first time hires and career veterans alike. It’s an entertaining read. I highly recommend it! ” ―Gus Tai, Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist “ Seglin has written a fantastic guide for anyone facing an unreasonable boss, a tipsy holiday party crush, an intimidating salary negotiation, or just another bleary Monday―in other words, anyone navigating the contemporary workplace. ” ―Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich, Adjunct Lecturer at Harvard University, Author of Any One of Us

The Virtual Book Tour was brought to you by HKS Library & Research Services. As of Spring 2019, our faculty video series is called  Behind the Book . Contact us with inquiries .

Jeffrey Seglin: My name is Jeffrey Seglin. I'm a lecturer in public policy and the director of the Communications program at the Harvard Kennedy School. I have a book that was published in January, 2016, called The Simple Art of Business Etiquette: How to Rise to the Top by Playing Nice, which was published by Tycho Press. That's what I'm going to talk about for the next few minutes. Sort of a little bit of background about how the book evolved. Since 1998 I've been writing a ethics column called The Right Thing, first for the Sunday New York Times business section and then it moved to become a weekly column for The New York Times Syndicate. Now it's being published by and distributed by the Tribune Media. In the column, I cover everything from business ethics to everyday ethical decision-making. The column resulted in a couple of earlier books. One was called The Good, the Bad, and Your Business: Choosing Right When Ethical Dilemmas Pull You Apart and another was called The Right Thing, which was a collection of several years of the early column. The new book is basically about how to behave in business without being a jerk. So it's about business etiquette. The idea behind the title, The Simple Art of Business Etiquette is that just because something is simple doesn't always mean it's easy, as judged by the fact that many people have a hard time learning how to behave in business without being a jerk. The book covers everything from meetings and interviews to dealing with difficult bosses to romance in the workplace. It looks at the right way to use social media and the right way to manage boundaries between personal and professional work lives. The way the book has been structured, each chapter starts with some basic descriptions of business etiquette and then there are short cases that bring these descriptions to life. Then, there's a multiple-choice quiz that readers are asked to take to sort of choose the right answer. Then, after that, I come back in and sort of give an explanation for what the best right answer might be. The book was written in a way that it's supposed to be engaging. So a lot of the multiple-choice in the cases are full with some humor and a bit of a whimsy. One of the reasons I wrote the book was that there seems to be a need for civility both in business and in public life, and yet people seem a little bit lost about how to get to that point of civility. So I'd like those who read the book to use it as a guide for how to make decisions in the workplace and how to behave with respect to all of their coworkers. The intended audience is that ... I'm told it would be a terrific book for anyone starting out in the business world, but I'd also like to think it would be good for managers and bosses and owners of businesses as well, and perhaps politicians who could use a lesson or two in civility. One of the things I tried to do in the book is to avoid the preachiness or the high-handedness of many other books on business etiquette. So the humor that I use here is meant to diffuse some of the stuffiness that's included in other books on etiquette. One of the things that's happened as ... The book's only been out for a few weeks, but one of the things that's started to happen is that people have begun posing with the book and sending me pictures of them. So I started getting photos of New York City police officers on duty reading the book, pictures of deans of colleges, pictures of high school students, pictures of pretzel vendors all reading the book and telling me that they're trying to get etiquette. So I've begun to paste those through social media on Facebook and Twitter. People continue to send me those photos, which was something that was unforeseen and they keep coming regularly every day, which has resulted in me having an expanded email box. The the reception has been pretty strong so far from various reviewers and I think the sales have been good. Within the first couple of weeks, it's been on one of the ibook or the electronic book best-seller list on Publishers Weekly. So the takeaway is that the book is a quick read and it's full of hands-on advice and information such as guiding workers to never punch coworkers in the face, and other advice about how to quit jobs gracefully. Knowing not to punch someone in the face is pretty obvious. Quitting a job gracefully is a little less obvious. So that's it. That's the new book. This is it. I hope you're curious enough to take a look. If you take a picture of yourself and email it to me reading the book, I will post it around. Thank you very much.

Related Links

Globibo Blog

Business Etiquette Training – Research, Articles, Case Studies

Business etiquette training is a professional development initiative to teach individuals the appropriate behaviors and interactions required in a business environment. This training encompasses a variety of topics, including communication skills, business attire, table manners, and cultural sensitivity. The primary objective of business etiquette training is to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to present themselves professionally and confidently in any business setting.

Importance of Business Etiquette Training

Business etiquette training is crucial for professionals at all levels, from new hires to executives. It is particularly significant for individuals working in international or cross-cultural environments, where diverse cultural norms and expectations influence work ethics . By understanding and respecting the cultural practices of colleagues and clients, professionals can build trust, establish rapport, and avoid misunderstandings or offenses.

Benefits of Business Etiquette Training

• Professionalism : Enhances individuals’ ability to present themselves professionally.
• Confidence : Increases confidence in various business situations.
• Trust and Rapport : Builds trust and rapport with colleagues and clients.
• Career Advancement : Assists in career progression by developing essential soft skills.
• Cultural Sensitivity : Promotes understanding and respect for diverse cultural norms.

Components of Business Etiquette Training

Effective business etiquette training programs are tailored to the audience’s specific needs and delivered in an engaging and interactive format. These programs often include role-playing exercises, case studies, and other activities that allow participants to practice and apply the concepts learned. Ongoing coaching and feedback are also integral to reinforcing and improving skills.

Key components of Business Etiquette Training

• Communication Skills : Training on effective communication, including verbal, non-verbal, and written communication.
• Business Dress : Guidelines on appropriate business attire for different occasions.
• Table Manners : Instruction on proper dining etiquette in business and formal settings.
• Cultural Sensitivity : Awareness and understanding of cultural differences in business practices.

Specific Learning Objectives

A business etiquette training program’s specific learning objectives are designed to help participants handle various business situations with professionalism and confidence. The following are examples of learning objectives in such programs:

Learning Objectives

• Networking Effectively : Participants learn how to make introductions, shake hands, and use business cards appropriately to create a positive first impression.
• Dressing Appropriately : Participants learn the appropriate attire for different business occasions, including business casual, business formal, and other dress codes.
• Dining Etiquette : Participants learn proper table manners, ordering etiquette, and navigating business conversations over a meal.
• Business Communication : Participants develop effective communication skills for various business situations, including email, phone calls, meetings, and presentations.
• Establishing Trust and Credibility : Participants learn strategies to establish trust and credibility with colleagues, clients, and partners.

Business Etiquette Training Approach by Globibo

Globibo provides a comprehensive and practical approach to business etiquette training to equip participants with essential skills and knowledge for professional conduct in any business setting. The following are the key features of Globibo’s training approach:

Customized Content

Globibo tailors training content to each organization’s specific needs and objectives, considering industry, culture, and other relevant factors. This ensures that the training is relevant and effective for the participants.

Experienced Trainers

Globibo’s trainers are experts in business etiquette and have extensive experience in diverse business environments. They bring practical knowledge and insights to the training sessions, making them highly valuable for participants.

Interactive Training Methods

Globibo utilizes various interactive training methods, such as role-plays, case studies, and group discussions. These methods help participants apply the concepts learned in real-world situations, enhancing their learning experience.

Real-World Scenarios

The training programs focus on practical scenarios that participants will likely encounter daily, such as client meetings, networking events, and business travel. This practical approach ensures that participants are well-prepared for real-life business situations.

Cultural Awareness

Globibo emphasizes the importance of cultural awareness and sensitivity in business etiquette. The training helps participants navigate cultural differences and avoid misunderstandings, which is crucial in today’s global business environment. Learn more at Mastering Business Etiquette and Corporate Training in Hong Kong and Singapore

Post-Training Support

Globibo provides post-training support, including coaching and follow-up sessions, to help participants reinforce their learning and improve their skills over time. This ongoing support ensures that the training has a lasting impact.

Structured Lists for Better Understanding

To facilitate a comprehensive understanding, the following structured lists outline the key aspects of business etiquette training:

Key Features of Globibo’s Training Approach

• Customized Content : Tailored to organizational needs.
• Experienced Trainers : Experts with practical insights.
• Interactive Methods : Role-plays, case studies, and discussions.
• Real-World Scenarios : Practical and relevant situations.
• Cultural Awareness : Emphasis on sensitivity and understanding.
• Post-Training Support : Ongoing coaching and follow-up.

In today’s global business environment, understanding and practicing business etiquette is essential for professional success. Business etiquette training programs & corporate training programs , such as those offered by Globibo, provide valuable skills and knowledge that help individuals present themselves professionally, build strong relationships, and advance their careers. With experienced trainers, interactive training methods, practical scenarios, and post-training support, Globibo’s Business Etiquette Training is designed to meet each organization’s specific needs and objectives, empowering participants with the confidence they need to excel in their roles.

Academic References for Business Etiquette Training

Speaking politely, kindly, and beautifully: Ideologies of politeness in Japanese business etiquette training

Formal forms or verbal strategies? Politeness theory and Japanese business etiquette training

[PDF] Using Business Etiquette Nowadays. Qualitative Research on Business Phoning, Emailing, and Meetings

[BOOK] Business etiquette for dummies

Etiquette 101

[BOOK] Business etiquette : Your complete guide to correct behavior in business

[BOOK] The essential guide to business etiquette

[PDF] Cross-cultural etiquette and communication in global business : Toward a strategic framework for managing corporate expansion

Bowing incorrectly: Aesthetic labor and expert knowledge in Japanese business etiquette training

[BOOK] Business etiquette : 101 ways to conduct business with charm and savvy

YouTube video for Business Etiquette Training

Learn Business Etiquette by Globibo. Visit our website http://www.globibo.com for more details regarding Translation, training, and conference technology.

Key Articles for Business Etiquette Training

1  Business Etiquette and Corporate Training in Hong Kong and Singapore

Corporate cultures in the cities of Hong Kong and Singapore involve circumstances that can change and evolve depending on communication and individual attitudes.

2  How to go about corporate training in Singapore?

Corporate training has become a part of corporate work-life across the world, including in Singapore. Companies offer corporate training courses.

3  Four Ways Cross-Cultural Training Can Help You in Hong Kong

Executives traveling to different parts of Asia from Europe are generally baffled by the cultural differences between each nation.

Globibo Services 

1  Sales Training

2  Sales Training Singapore

3  Sales Training e-learning strategies

4  Train your Automotive Sales Team with Globibo 

• Product overview
• All features
• Latest feature release
• App integrations

CAPABILITIES

• project icon Project management
• Project views
• Custom fields
• Status updates
• goal icon Goals and reporting
• Reporting dashboards
• workflow icon Workflows and automation
• portfolio icon Resource management
• Capacity planning
• Time tracking
• my-task icon Admin and security
• Admin console
• asana-intelligence icon Asana AI
• list icon Personal
• premium icon Starter
• briefcase icon Advanced
• Goal management
• Organizational planning
• Campaign management
• Creative production
• Content calendars
• Marketing strategic planning
• Resource planning
• Project intake
• Product launches
• Employee onboarding
• View all uses arrow-right icon
• Project plans
• Team goals & objectives
• Team continuity
• Meeting agenda
• View all templates arrow-right icon
• Work management resources Discover best practices, watch webinars, get insights
• Customer stories See how the world's best organizations drive work innovation with Asana
• Help Center Get lots of tips, tricks, and advice to get the most from Asana
• Asana Academy Sign up for interactive courses and webinars to learn Asana
• Developers Learn more about building apps on the Asana platform
• Community programs Connect with and learn from Asana customers around the world
• Events Find out about upcoming events near you
• Partners Learn more about our partner programs
• Support Need help? Contact the Asana support team
• Asana for nonprofits Get more information on our nonprofit discount program, and apply.

Featured Reads

• Leadership |
• 16 business etiquette tips for every wo ...

16 business etiquette tips for every working professional

Business etiquette is a type of behavior that team members are expected to follow to uphold the company image and respect each other. While business culture has become more casual, it’s still critical to practice common courtesy. In this piece, we’ll explain what business etiquette is and some of the basic rules to familiarize yourself with.

People in the business world have different expectations about eye contact, body language, dress code, and dining etiquette, just to name a few. While many companies have shifted to a more casual culture, understanding proper business etiquette can go a long way. In this piece, we’ll explain what business etiquette is and some of the basic rules to familiarize yourself with. 

What is business etiquette?

Business etiquette is a type of behavior that team members are expected to follow in order to uphold the company image and respect each other. Business etiquette may change from culture to culture, but when everyone understands and follows a particular set of standards, it can create a sense of unity. 

No more silos: Optimizing your organizational structure for stronger cross-team collaboration

In this ebook, learn how to structure your organization to prevent silos, move faster, and stay aligned in the face of change.

The 5 basics of business etiquette

The basics of business etiquette vary from culture to culture, and it can be particularly intimidating to understand business etiquette if you're working for a company with a culture different from the one you grew up in. However, there are some universal constants that can help you stick to the status quo as you learn the particular group dynamics and team norms at your company. 

These five important business courtesies can help you make a solid first impression and show respect for your team members. 

1. Be on time

Whether you’re attending an interview or daily standup meeting , being on time in a work environment shows that you respect everyone’s schedule. If punctuality isn’t something you’ve prioritized in the past, brush up on some time management tips to keep yourself organized and aware of your to-do list . 

There are nuances to being on time—some cultures operate on a system of being slightly late to everything. But when in doubt, show up on time and adjust from there if necessary.

2. Recognize your team

Acknowledging others is proper business etiquette for both casual and formal work environments. When someone walks in the room at a business dinner or meeting, greet them and say hello appropriately—whether by shaking hands or following some other cultural custom. 

The same rule applies if you work from home and attend daily Zoom meetings. You may not be required to get on camera in every business meeting, but speaking up and taking the time to recognize your team members can let everyone know you’re listening and make others feel noticed. 

3. Dress appropriately

Dressing appropriately is subjective and will depend on whether you work in an office or from home. Some companies that work in the office every day will expect everyone to dress in business casual attire because much of the work involves face time with stakeholders or clients. Other companies who work in a hybrid environment may encourage team members to dress casually in order to promote comfort and productivity . 

If you are unsure about appropriate business attire, ask your manager or supervisor for tips. It’s especially common to feel unsure if you just started a new job, but don’t be afraid to send a quick email before your first day to get a feel of the office policy. Alternatively, think back to your interview and try to remember what everyone was wearing so you can dress accordingly. 

4. Respect shared spaces

Even if you work remotely, you may go into the office on occasion or share virtual spaces with your team members. Office spaces you may share with team members include a kitchen, bathroom, printer and copy room, and lounge area. Virtual spaces you may share include Google Drive folders and project management software . 

The way you treat shared spaces will reflect on you as a professional, so it’s important that you label things correctly, stay organized, and respect others who also use these spaces. Business etiquette applies to shared spaces whether you’re cleaning up after yourself physically or following company processes online.

5. Build emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, regulate, and understand emotions in yourself and in others. Effective emotional intelligence skills can help you empathize with team members and overcome challenges. While emotional intelligence isn’t a direct rule of business etiquette, it will help you in the workplace, no matter what conflicts arise. 

For example, imagine you’re behind on work and your boss suddenly adds a large, time-sensitive project to your plate. With emotional intelligence skills, you can speak with your manager to understand the relative priority of the work. Since you're already behind on work, you can express your worry about becoming overworked and work with your manager to come up with a solution of which work you can deprioritize or delegate less important tasks.

Business etiquette for remote workers

With the transition to increasingly virtual teams , the definition and practice of business etiquette has changed. In person, you may need a politely firm handshake and the right attire, but when working remotely , you’ll need to know the basics of email, phone, and video etiquette.

Email and team communication etiquette

Writing an email or communicating with your team through tools like Slack or  Asana seems simple enough, but professional communication online differs from personal communication. Consider the tips below for proper email and online etiquette.

Proofread: Proofreading your emails is a hard rule of thumb that you shouldn’t ignore. While your email or project management platform may have a built-in proofreading tool, you should also look over your email before sending it out, just in case.

Be polite and professional: Even though you're not speaking face to face with your email recipient, your tone of voice will come through in your words. It’s important to be polite and professional in your copy. For example, you can use upbeat phrases like: “I hope you... thanks for... just a friendly reminder... please let me know... looking forward to hearing from you.”

Respond in a timely manner: Whenever another team member or client reaches out to you, they’re doing so for a reason. Proper email and team communication etiquette means responding to people in a timely manner, even if that means setting up an automatic response for when you’re out of the office. While you don’t need to respond within minutes, aim to respond within one or two business days.

Keep it brief: Keeping your email copy brief can get your point across quickly and save time for your reader. When you hide the main objective of your message within a lengthy email, your reader may be less likely to respond in the way you hope for. 

Remember that who you’re writing to may make a difference in your email or online content. For example, if you’re communicating with other team members through Asana and Slack, you can write in a more casual tone, whereas client emails should be more formal.

Phone etiquette

Business communication often occurs through phone calls. When speaking to clients or business partners on the phone, consider the following ways to uphold business etiquette. 

Don’t call unannounced: Everyone in the business world has a schedule to follow, whether they’re working around a strict project timeline or trying to prioritize a heavy workload. When you need to talk to someone on the phone, send them an email first to schedule your call. Calling unannounced can be considered bad manners because the call recipient may be unprepared to talk to you. 

Use reasonable tone and clarity: Your tone of voice is important on work phone calls. You’ll need to keep a polite tone as you speak to team members or clients and be aware of your volume and clarity as well. If you speak too loudly or mumble on a professional call, your recipient may not receive your message the way you hope them to. Tone and communication can also vary based on culture, so keep cultural intelligence in mind when on the phone.

Deliver messages promptly: Just like with work emails, it’s important to respond to work voicemails promptly. You may receive emails from team members or clients asking to schedule phone calls. Respond to these emails quickly with the best time you’re available to talk on the phone. 

Create a professional voicemail: Creating a professional voicemail for when you’re unavailable is proper business etiquette because it lets people know who you are, what you do, and that you’re unavailable. They can then leave you messages explaining why they’re calling. 

Video etiquette

Video is one of the most popular ways for remote workers to connect. With this method of communication, you get the benefit of speaking with many of your team members in real-time, which means there are some video etiquette basics you should know. 

Mute yourself: One of the biggest issues team members face on video calls is background noise coming from those who aren’t speaking. This issue has a simple fix: mute yourself when you aren’t the speaker. Muting yourself will ensure your microphone is silent so others can have the full attention of the virtual room. 

Engage with your body: When on a video call, others can see how you non-verbally interact with the speaker. If you’re looking down or you’re too relaxed in your seat, you may send the message that you’re uninterested in the conversation. Sitting up straight, looking alert, and using nonverbal communication to show you’re engaged lets the speaker know you’re paying attention.

Don’t interrupt: Interrupting someone on a video call can be especially disruptive. Technology can’t always keep up with multiple people trying to speak on a video call, so interruptions can lead to glitches and confusion for everyone involved. 

Dress appropriately: Video calls may only show your clothes from the waist up, but it’s still important to dress appropriately together. Your attire for video calls should follow your company’s dress code. Also consider your personal hygiene when on camera. 

Working from home makes it less common that you’ll interact with team members and clients in person, but don’t forget that virtual interactions still leave lasting impressions. When in doubt, approach these interactions with the same business ettiquette and care as you would for an in-person conversation.

Improve team communication with business etiquette

The goal of business etiquette is to present a united company image, foster mutual respect for team members, and improve communication in the workplace. When teams communicate effectively, they do better work. 

Effective communication doesn’t stop there. Using software can help your team work together to meet deadlines and reach goals. With team communication software, you can facilitate better communication between team members by ensuring everyone receives the right information at the right time. 

Related resources

Data-driven decision making: A step-by-step guide

Listening to understand: How to practice active listening (with examples)

How executives and individual contributors differ when it comes to AI

Fiedler’s Contingency Theory: Why leadership isn’t uniform

• Jobs For Felons Hub
• Login | Register

Case Study: Module 9 – Business Etiquette

30 business etiquette tips for every professional

What part does being well-versed in business etiquette play in the success of your career? 

Here’s the truth:

Our professional success often hinges less upon talent and intrinsic genius, and more upon people skills, strong emotional intelligence and a keen understanding of proper business etiquette.

Want to get the most out of your time? Try DeskTime for free!

Try free for 14 days · No credit card required.

By signing up, you agree to our terms and privacy policy .

In the working world, individuals from various cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds put aside their differences in order to support a single mission – the success of their organization. And when people with diverse belief systems and points of view come together, following certain rules of courtesy helps to oil the gears and keep companies running smoothly. 

What, exactly, is good business etiquette? 

”Business etiquette is not just knowing what to discuss during a business dinner or how to address colleagues. It’s a way of presenting yourself in such a way that you will be taken seriously […], as well as having the ability to make others feel comfortable around you.” – Source

Generally speaking, comporting yourself professionally means not only presenting oneself with confidence but also taking the feelings and attitudes of others into consideration. 

Here are 30 business etiquette tips that every professional should follow:

• Study emotional intelligence
• Dress for your role
• Mind your P’s and Q’s 
• Turn off your mobile
• Learn business lunch etiquette
• Respect other people’s time
• Learn to remember names
• Practice active listening
• Don’t gossip
• Demonstrate empathy
• Keep a positive attitude
• Address problems with solutions
• Take ownership of mistakes
• Embrace lifelong learning
• Realize that no one knows it all
• Learn to accept criticism
• Know what to keep confidential
• Follow the handbook
• Behave in open office situations
• Ask when uncertain
• Leave out drama
• Practice a firm handshake
• Control your body language
• Remember that colleagues have lives outside of work
• Learn email etiquette
• Proofread all correspondence
• Handle sensitive matters privately
• The Golden Rule

1. Study up on emotional intelligence

One of the most critical business etiquette skills involves behaving with emotional intelligence. It refers to one’s ability to put your own feelings aside and see things from the perspective of other people. 

One study revealed that after emotional intelligence training, participants showed a significant increase in identifying emotions , as well as managing them. That means, people were able to better control their emotions in tense situations. 

Think about it: 

Managers and coworkers who scream and berate others when under pressure create a hostile work environment. Conversely, keeping a cool head when facing business challenges, trying to meet tough deadlines or dealing with difficult customers leads to success.

2. Dress for your role

In many professions, workplace attire has grown more casual, but that doesn’t necessarily mean rocking flip-flops from the dollar store to work is a good idea. 

Remember that you only have one chance to leave a good first impression. So, unless you want to always be remembered as that girl or dude in sweatpants and cheap flip-flops, wear something more sophisticated.

A good business etiquette requires that you put some extra thought into your work outfit – that way, you’ll be showing your employees and colleagues that you respect your position and care about the company’s image. And paying attention to your work outfit doesn’t mean wearing a suit and tie every day, but rather making sure your work clothing is accurate – clean, ironed, and appropriate to the work setting.

3. Be on time

Everyone experiences times when they get caught behind an accident on the freeway, but punctuality remains a matter of choice much of the time. 

Keeping other people waiting because you could not get out of the home on time is plain rude and bad business etiquette. You basically say with your actions, “My time is more valuable than yours,” to those you keep waiting. 

Plus, depending on your industry, arriving late may compromise your coworkers. For example, those working in shifts who constantly show up late force their colleagues to work overtime. Once or twice is understandable, but chronic tardiness will earn you resentment. 

4. Mind your P’s and Q’s 

Think about the last time you did someone a major solid, and they accepted it as a matter of course without so much as a thank you. Their omission didn’t make you feel very good or motivated to help out again, did it? 

Proper business etiquette demands using the words “please” and “thank you.” It doesn’t matter if you’re asking a staff member to call back a client or work late — phrase such demands as polite requests or expect colleagues to take umbrage. 

In fact, if you manage a team, take this to heart: 80% of employees say they’d be willing to work harder for an appreciative boss, while 70% would be happier at their job if their boss thanked them more regularly. 

5. Turn off your mobile in meetings

Even if you leave your phone on vibrate, any text message or incoming call will interrupt your colleagues’ train of thought if it buzzes during an important meeting. Learn to turn the cell off, lock it in a desk drawer or even leave it in your car if the temptation to tweet during conferences proves too much. 

Sure, in large enough groups, you may be able to sneak in some texts under the desk the way you did back in high school. But then, you’re not exactly giving your full attention to the business at hand. 

That said, using an app to take notes during a meeting is not a bad idea and doesn’t break any business etiquette rules — just make sure your phone is on silent.

6. Learn proper business lunch etiquette

If you have an important business lunch or dinner coming up, it is recommended that you snack on some almonds and dried fruit, or another healthy snack before heading out. You don’t want your empty stomach to steal the attention and make you think more about food than business.

Other dining etiquette rules for business include dressing appropriately for the dinner place and arrive on time. Then, when it’s time to order, take a pass on alcohol, or enjoy no more than one drink. You want to be sober when making promises and business agreements.

A good business etiquette also suggests that when ordering your food, wait until your host orders and follow their lead. This doesn’t mean ordering the exact same thing, but you may want to pass on the $40 filet if they order a $20 chicken entree.

7. Respect other people’s time

When your schedule is packed with deadlines, how do you react when “that” colleague insists on asking a laundry list of questions at the end of the meeting? Especially, if those questions could easily be answered via email or in a one-on-one? 

Or – how do you feel when you have a great idea to share , but can’t get a word in edgewise as a coworker insists on dominating the discussion? 

There’s a big difference between asking for clarification of a misunderstood point and holding other staff hostages while you ask a presenter to repeat half of what they’ve said already. Generally, the proper etiquette for business meetings is: if it ends before you have the opportunity to share a brilliant proposal , ask to speak with your supervisor privately or send an email to create a paper trail. 

Also, remember that making workplace besties is great , but you’re at work to accomplish needed tasks, not to play the social butterfly. It’s okay to exchange pleasantries and the occasional (appropriate) joke, but don’t stand in someone’s office doorway gabbing away when it’s clear they want to get down to business. 

8. Learn how to remember names

One of the most important parts of business etiquette is knowing how to greet people properly. Most people understand the importance of first impressions and a firm handshake but remembering names matters, too. 

Here are a few tested and true tricks to remember people’s names:

• Create a mental picture that helps you recall their name — for example, if someone’s name is Mrs. Duckworth, you might picture a mallard wearing a dollar bill hat.
• Repeat the person’s name several times throughout your introduction. Repetition helps you to put a name to a face and make it stick.
• If you’re exchanging business cards immediately after meeting, jot down some notes on their appearance on the back as a cheat sheet. 

9. Practice active listening techniques 

Whether speaking with your boss, a client or an underling, practice active listening techniques to win people over. Because no matter who is standing in front of you, everyone wants to feel heard – especially when they’re talking about things that they’re passionate about or worry them. So, if you’re able to master this business etiquette, you’re up for success.

What does active listening mean?

It involves paying attention to the speaker and asking clarifying questions or using reflective statements to show you understand. Nodding and maintaining eye contact also helps – that way, you’re showing people you hear them. 

10. Be like Switzerland with water-cooler gossip

A recent study indicated that the majority of gossip – three quarters – isn’t negative in nature, but rather neutral chatter about current events. 

For example, exchanging occasional pleasantries around the water cooler, such as, “Hey, did you hear Barb in accounting had a baby girl last night?” does no harm. In fact, it can actually smooth interoffice relationships. 

However, avoid negative gossip – that’s a big business etiquette no-no. Even if you don’t believe karma will catch up with you eventually, gloating over how Mike in marketing was let go for drinking on the job is gauche. Keep office interactions positive and kvetch on your own time. 

11. Demonstrate empathy

Even the people who seem most well-adjusted can sometimes encounter rough patches that impact their productivity and behavior on the job. So, before criticizing someone for making a mistake or missing a deadline, or shaming someone for inappropriate office behavior – good business etiquette is trying to first put yourself in their shoes.

Simply asking what’s happening and whether you can help can go a long way. This doesn’t mean you need to become the office shrink, but it’s much easier to understand why someone is slamming phones down or taking multiple smoke breaks if you know they’re going through a breakup or dealing with stress.

12. Keep a positive attitude

Maybe you felt your last performance review was unfair, but you can’t change your scores. All you can do is control your reaction to the negative news and try to perform better in the future.

Is it more effective to storm off and pout, or more beneficial to calmly ask, “How do you suggest I improve?” 

When deadlines grow tight and tempers soar, being known as level-headed scores major points toward promotion. Plus, who wants a reputation as the workplace Oscar the Grouch? 

13. Address problems with solutions

Sigh. The copier went down again and the budget lacks wiggle room for a new one. 

Time to throw your hands in the air and go home until management can afford to fix it, right? Not if you want to get ahead quickly. 

In fact, one of the best ways to earn a promotion is to see a problem and propose a way to fix it. Maybe your office could utilize cloud storage instead of paper files to improve collaboration AND without cutting down trees? Your manager will appreciate your problem-solving skills, as well as the money saved on paper.

Not to mention, problem-solving skills are one of the number one requested skills in job advertisements. So, learn to master this business etiquette skill and it’ll be much easier for you to climb the career ladder.

14. Take ownership of mistakes

Few of us enjoy admitting “I made a mistake.” However, top business leaders tell us all errors create opportunities for learning and growth — but only if you take ownership of what went wrong.

When you realize you erred, it’s natural to panic. Instead of reacting instantly, stop and take a deep breath (or several). Then, begin brainstorming possible solutions.

For example, if you realize you mistakenly underbid an important project, how can you rectify the error without aggravating the client by making them pay additional fees? While you may have to offer a discount for the inconvenience, can you find a way to help the client see the additional value they receive?

Whenever possible, try to correct errors on your own. However, remain open to suggestions from others. It’s possible a colleague committed a similar mistake in the past and could offer valuable insight. 

15. Embrace lifelong learning

You don’t necessarily need to enroll in graduate school to get ahead in life, but technology does change at the speed of light, meaning – industries constantly need to build the skills of their workforce. 

Employers and managers can inspire learning by offering bonuses to employees who undergo continuous training, as well as by simply providing employees with free business literature – from books to industry magazines – to read.

In the meantime, as an employee, be open to new knowledge that comes your way, and take advantage of free webinars and meetups with industry people to stay on top of your game. 

16. Realize that no one knows it all

You may be a genius, but regardless of your innate intelligence, no one knows everything, especially in a rapidly-changing information-based society. One of the important business etiquette rules is: listen to the suggestions of others and seek out ways to collaborate actively. Your coworkers have a wealth of knowledge to share, so tap in and grow your own value as well.

Also, be aware when interacting with others. Do you find yourself dominating the conversation? If so, stop talking and listen to what others have to say – you may learn something new or at least hear an alternative opinion to yours. 

Do the same thing in the meetings – invite everyone to speak, even if only for a few moments. That way, no one will feel left out of the conversation and most importantly, you may leave the meeting room with more good ideas to try.

Be smart about your time!

Use DeskTime for time management, and always stay on top of your team’s efficiency ratings. 

17. Learn to accept constructive criticism

Everyone’s hackles rise when they feel they’re being criticized. However, all criticism contains at least a kernel of truth, and learning to accept bad feedback is a crucial business etiquette skill.

Instead of looking at a negative review as proof your boss hates you, use it as a starting place on the path toward improvement. When someone offers a suggestion, thank them for it — they’ve taken time out of their day to get you on the road to success, after all. 

When you receive a negative review or even a suggestion on how to improve a certain process, resist the urge to respond immediately. Instead, maintain a neutral demeanor, and nod to show you are listening and absorbing the message. 

Then, take some time to analyze the feedback and ask yourself – can I learn anything from it? If the feedback has been constructive, the answer will be yes. So, say thanks to your critic and start implementing the lessons learned.

18. Behave honestly

Honesty in workplace affairs is critical, and braking this business etiquette rule can get you in serious trouble. So, unless you’re 100% sure the fib you’re telling is lily white — for example, telling a coworker you love her blouse when in reality, you think it’s a bit frilly for the office — tell the truth. Lies have a way of compounding, and they can be bad for the bottom line. 

Telling the boss you were sick when your social media shows you were tanning at the beach? Such lies can cost you a job. Inform your manager you’re almost wrapped up with a project you’ve barely started? You risk losing your team’s and employer’s trust. Therefore, unless you enjoy pulling all-nighters at the office, be honest about needing more time.

19. Know what to keep confidential

Just as sharing negative gossip is bad, revealing certain information in the workplace can derail career aspirations and is considered bad business etiquette.

For example, don’t ask your colleagues to reveal their salary, and don’t discuss what you’ve found out with others – that’s none of your business and is considered poor etiquette skills. 

The same applies to other personal information. Respect your coworkers’ confidentiality – if Sally from the sales department tells you she’s pregnant, avoid the urge to spread the happy news until she does it first. 

Or, if someone confides in you about their struggles, keep that information to yourself. Unless such issues could compromise workplace safety — for example, if a colleague operating heavy machinery confess drinking on the job — keep mum. 

20. Follow the handbook

Sneaking to the restroom 20 times a day to text due to a no cell phone policy? Instead of looking for sneaky ways to circumvent the rules in the employee handbook, address those you find unfair with your supervisor. For example, you may propose allowing cell phones out on vibrate so that family members can reach you in an emergency.

When attempting to bring about a change in policy, check your motivations. Make sure your suggestions truly stem from a desire to improve morale, procedure or both. And time the conversation right — just as you prefer to receive criticism in private, show your boss the same respect by avoiding complaining to coworkers. Schedule a time when things are going well to approach the conversation.

21. Use common sense in open office situations

Love them or hate them, open offices have become a trend which isn’t likely to go away soon. If you work in such an environment, use common courtesy. 

Be aware of the volume of your voice. If you have an auditory impairment ( 15% of adults do !), the proper business etiquette would be to use a soundproof room for making calls or to go to a meeting room to discuss something with a colleague. You may think you’re speaking softly, while in reality, your coworkers on the other side of the room can overhear you clearly. 

What’s more, keep in mind there’s little reasonable expectation of privacy in such settings, which is one aspect of open offices critics point out often. That said, conduct personal conversations with significant others and children via text if possible, or step outside to make a quick call. And even if you work in an environment where cursing is overlooked, avoid blurting out profanities or raising your voice when upset.

22. Ask when uncertain

You can avoid many workplace errors by asking for clarification when needed. Not sure how to operate the industrial-sized copier? Ask. Uncertain as to how detailed a certain report needs to be? You know what to do. 

Failing to ask appropriate questions can lead to costly errors. For example, if you’re putting together an important contract and are uncertain if the language you are using is correct, you create risk for the business. Unclear terms can render contracts voidable under the law, a situation which, in large industries, can create a ripple effect which impacts outside entities and builds a poor reputation for your company.

Taking the time to ask a colleague or supervisor to review your work can help your organization maintain positive relationships and collect the full benefit of all contractual obligations.

23. Leave drama for the television

When you’re running a few minutes late, do you come crashing into the office like a bull crashing through a china shop, cursing up a storm about traffic and bemoaning the way it’s impossible to get your eyeliner right the first five times? If so, you’re taking your coworkers off task for matters which concern them not one bit.

The same goes if you’re the type who flies around the office in a frenzied panic when an important deadline approaches instead of calmly working to meet the schedule. Your negative, frenetic energy rubs off on everyone you meet and makes your coworkers feel stressed even if they’re in no danger of failing to perform. When people feel stressed, their productivity drops .

So keep this business etiquette close to heart and leave the drama at home on the TV screen. When you walk in the office, do so with a smile even if your morning commute left you feeling frazzled. Not only will smiling instantly boost your mood, you’ll avoid letting negative feelings rub off on others. When everyone feels more positive, productivity soars. 

24. Practice a firm handshake

In the business world, shaking hands is de rigueur. The key is doing so properly.

If you’ve got a naturally strong grip, be sure you’re not crushing the hand of the person you’re greeting. You cannot always tell from the outside if the other person has arthritis, and even if they do not, a too-tight grip can hurt. 

Don’t swing too far to the other end of the spectrum and practice a limp handshake, either — the best way to shake hands is firmly while making eye contact. And, if anxiety leads to sweaty palms, a good business etiquette would be to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer prior to introductions.

25. Control your body language

Your body language screams volumes even when you don’t say a word. Be aware of the unspoken messages you send silently. 

For example:

• Resting your head on a table or desk makes you look bored, as does resting your head in your hands and looking away. 
• Crossed arms across your chest indicates resistance or hostility, especially if a colleague or manager is sharing a new procedure you dislike.
• Raised eyebrows can indicate curiosity, but also incredulity. Try to pair with a slight smile to avoid looking skeptical. 
• Hunched shoulders indicate stress and tension. While not offensive, looking harried all the time can cast doubt on your ability to do your job.
• Fidgeting indicates nervousness. Constantly twirling your hair or biting your nails projects insecurity, not confidence. 

26. Remember that colleagues have lives outside of work

Work in a managerial capacity? Remember, a true leader rolls up their sleeves and works with their team during crunch time.

Expecting the team to stay late as important deadline approaches? Let your team see you’re staying, too. Sneaking off to hit the links while demanding your subordinates to work overtime builds resentment and destroys morale.

What happens when a colleague or underling experiences difficulty outside of the workplace? If you’ve recently returned from a month-long bereavement leave but expect employees to bring in a death certificate to receive one unpaid day off to attend a funeral, expect resentment.

Yes, you’ve worked hard to get where you are today. However, that doesn’t negate the fact everyone from the janitor on up has basic human needs deserving of respect, and when those needs are ignored by their employers, productivity drops.

27. Learn email etiquette rules for business 

Going on holiday? Good for you! Remember, others may not know your plans, especially if you work with a large team. Set up out-of-office auto-responders so folks know why you’re not replying, and change your voicemail to indicate you’re away and whether you can be reached by alternate means, such as text. 

Use proper email and text etiquette, too. Remember, it’s impossible to hear intonation via text or email , so take care in how you phrase things. And while you don’t want your correspondence to appear as a teenagers’ covered in emojis, using the occasional smiley face to indicate a joke or levity is appropriate. 

28. Proofread all correspondence

Fair or no, few things label you incompetent as emails, memos, and letters crawling with grammatical and spelling errors. Make sure to proofread all correspondence before printing (save a tree) or hitting send – that’s number one email etiquette rule for business. Use free tools such as Grammarly to help catch pesky mistakes more easily.

Think back to the last time you read an advertisement online filled with typographical errors. How did that influence your attitude toward purchasing that product or service? If you’re like most people, you rolled your eyes and decided to shop elsewhere.

The fact of the matter is, proper spelling and grammar count, and lack of proper conventions give customers the impression your product will be equally shoddy.

Plus, in an international society, improper spelling and use of convention can lead to errors in translation. You don’t want to go down in corporate history like the KFC marketer whose “finger lickin’ good” was translated into, “eat your fingers off,” when the brand launched in Beijing , China, back in the 80’s. 

29. Handle sensitive matters privately

Few things look less professional than a major shouting match on the floor where everyone can hear. Even if a coworker or subordinate does something outrageous, ask to speak with them privately versus airing your grievances in front of others. Schedule a private time to talk, and ask for a supervisor or neutral colleague to attend if you fear things growing too heated. 

The same goes when you need to gently correct a coworker known to be volatile or one whom you suspect is going through a difficult time. Glass office doors do not mute all sound.

If you fear an interaction will grow loud, hold the meeting in a quieter part of the building instead of your office. Find an empty conference room. Even if the interaction doesn’t involve strong emotions, be aware sound can travel, and take all precautions to maintain privacy. 

30. Treat others as you would like to be treated

Finally, one of the most important business etiquette tips involves following the Golden Rule — treat others as you would like to be treated. Everyone from the janitor to the CEO is a human being with feelings, emotions, needs and dreams of their own. Respect their humanity just as you expect others to respect yours.

Let’s say you need to put an employee on an improvement plan . If your own supervisor did the same, how would you like to be approached about it? If you’d prefer to be treated with calm and concern instead of threats, show those you oversee the same courtesy.

Would you enjoy being forced to come into work on your days off to cover a habitually absent employee’s shift regularly? If not, don’t ignore the complaints of those who chronically come in on their days off to cover the shifts of absentees.

Before instituting new policies, offering disciplinary measures or taking any action which materially impacts the lives of those you work with, consider how such actions would impact you if the situation was reversed. If you would interpret a particular action as harsh or arbitrary, reconsider whether alternate courses of action could support the same purpose.

Getting ahead with proper business etiquette

Research indicates the ability to work well with others and behave with emotional intelligence matters as much as talent when it comes to success in the workplace. As a reminder, keep the following in mind:

1: The rules of business etiquette exist for good reason 

Business etiquette exists to oil the gears of relationships between supervisors and underlings, between coworkers and colleagues and between company representatives, clients and customers. These rules exist to keep interactions pleasant, positive and productive.

2: Respecting others proves paramount

Most business etiquette gaffs can and will be forgiven if you’re operating from a position of respect for those you interact with. Indicate respect by using standard courtesies like saying please and thank you, listening when others are speaking and keeping your tone and body language open and neutral.

3: Continue learning, gaining experience and staying humble

Today’s fast-paced world demands professionals stay on top of their game by continually improving themselves professionally. The best leaders of the industry admit to and learn from their mistakes as well. Even those who have attained the highest level of education and the greatest success go further by remaining humble and realizing others have much to contribute as well.

4: Bring sunshine, not rain and drama to work 

Few people enjoy working with a volatile hothead prone to outbursts. Nor does everyone love the office chatty Cathy or drama queen. Smile, demonstrate empathy to others and share positive tidbits about your life, but leave stress and negative feelings at home.

5: Follow the Golden Rule above all

The most important business etiquette tip anyone who hopes to succeed can practice is treating others as they would like to be treated. Before approaching difficult interactions, step back and ask yourself how you’d like the other party to handle things if the situation were reversed.

There’s a reason that top leaders like Dale Carnegie swear people skills matter as much as intelligence when it comes to becoming one of the top performers in your trade. By following proper business etiquette, you can take your career to new heights.

Did you find this article useful? Give it a clap!

Psst! You can clap more than once if you really loved it 🙂

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy

Onsite Training Courses

• Business Etiquette
• Business Writing
• Change Management
• Communication Skills
• Creativity, Critical Thinking, Decision Making, and Problem Solving
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Customer Service
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Facilitation Skills
• Human Resources
• Leadership and Management
• Negotiation and Conflict Management
• Presentation Skills
• Productivity
• Storytelling
• Team Building
• Train-the-Trainer

Virtual Classroom Training Courses

• Cross-Cultural Communication Skills
• Management and Leadership
• Negotiation

Online Training Courses

• Business Etiquette and Professionalism
• Creative and Critical Thinking
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
• Nonprofit Management
• Project Management
• Time Management and Productivity

Leadership Development

Corporate college solutions, interactive keynotes, meeting and retreat facilitation, one-on-one coaching.

• Custom Solutions

Ask an Expert

• Training and Development
• Workplace Communication

Media Inquiries

• Business Etiquette, Civility, and Professionalism
• Communication
• Sales and Negotiation

Assessments

• Job Needs Assessment
• Management Styles Assessment
• Stefanie Coleman
• Myla DeLoatch
• Shawn Doyle
• Thomas Farley
• Elizabeth George
• Shanna Kabatznick
• Charlie Long
• Mariana Marko
• Laurie McIntosh
• Darren Murphy
• Avish Parashar
• Pamela Sumner
• Phillip Tanzilo
• Eduardo Villavicencio
• Sandy Wilson
• Kate Zabriskie

Our Clients

• Pricing and FAQs

• Fees and FAQs
• Join Our Mailing List

Explore Our Training Courses See what we have to offer.

Business Training Works Learn about us.

Start a Conversation Contact us to connect.

Training resource, five free business etiquette training games: ideas and activities for business etiquette training.

The following are five free business etiquette training games that we have used with clients during our etiquette training courses for more than a decade.

We frequently receive requests for training ideas from organizations wishing to develop their own etiquette programs. In the interest of improving behavior, we are sharing these activities for use by others.

You are welcome to incorporate them into your business etiquette courses.

You may also link to them.

However, we request that you not publish them in an online guide, for-profit printed guide, or otherwise without our permission.

Each of the activities listed requires a basic knowledge of etiquette and protocol. While we are happy to answer questions about the mechanics of the games and activities, we kindly request that you do your own research on questions related to content.

For more information about onsite business etiquette workshops and seminars for your group, please contact us at [email protected] or 301-934-3250.

Crafting Connections

Knowing how to connect people to each other is an important part of professional presence and business etiquette. This game is about business networking and making connections.

Supplies Needed: Whiteboard or some other large surface to write on.

Directions: Ask the participants to share a fact about themselves. I like to cook; I like piano music; I just got back from Peru; etc. Write each person’s name and the fact about the person on the board.

• George: Plays Soccer
• Linda: Rides Motorcycles on the Weekend
• Dan: Likes to Cook

The participants must then select two people to introduce to each other. The top person on the list is the more senior. Explain that you always introduce junior people to senior people. Furthermore, once the introduction has occurred, those being introduced have an obligation to exchange some basic pleasantries.

The game ends when everyone has introduced someone.

Example: Linda, I would like you to meet Dan. Dan, Linda is an avid motorcycle rider and just got back from New Mexico. I know you like to cook. Do you ever make Southwest dishes? She said the food there was great.  From there Dan might say, Linda, I don’t cook much Southwest food, but what did you eat on your trip? Then it is the next person’s turn.

Learning Point: “Linda, this is Dan,” and “Dan, this is Linda” just isn’t that interesting. If you help people build connections with others, they will enjoy you and themselves more. This is particularly important when you are hosting an event.

Topics for Further Discussion: How to ask questions and what to do if you forget someone’s name.

Time: 15 Minutes

Thank You for the Rock

From time to time, people receive gifts that they don’t like, can’t use, or don’t understand. As people with manners, they must still be polite and gracious. This game allows practice of that skill.

Supplies Needed: One rock

Directions: Discuss the importance of graciousness with your group. Then explain that you are going to give someone a present. His or her job is to say something gracious about the gift and then pass it on to another participant. The process continues until everyone has received the present. You can either have the participants select their recipients at random or set the order ahead of time.

The game ends when everyone has received the rock.

Example: Beth, I got you something that I think you are going to adore. (Hand Beth the rock.)

What a fabulous present. We just put in a new fireplace, and I am decorating the mantel. It will look perfect there. Thank you.

Steven, I got you a gift that I hope you find useful. (Beth hands the rock to Steven.)

Beth, I don’t know how you knew it, but I broke my hammer last weekend and need a replacement. This will work well for me. Thank you.

The faster this goes, the more fun it is. The goal is not to wait too long before responding. You will be amazed at how creative people can get and how much the group can laugh.

Learning Point: As long as the gift is not offensive or inappropriate, you should be gracious, regardless of whether you like it, can use it, or understand it.

Topics for Further Discussion: Re-gifting and appropriate versus inappropriate gifts.

 Table Setting Showdown

The easiest way to learn which fork to use is to understand why the table is set the way that it is. During this dining etiquette training activity, participants will set the table based on what is being served.

Supplies Needed:

Note: Alternatively you can have the participants draw the items. This is not as hands on but may be more practical.

Directions: Divide the participants into groups of four to five people. Explain that they will be setting the table based on a few menus. Show menu one and let the groups set the table. Then review each setting making corrections as you go and explaining the changes. Choose menus that will make sense to your group. If they are young students, for example, skip the wine.

The game ends when places for all of the menus have been set.

Menu 1: Soup, Salad, Fish, Beef, Dessert, Coffee, White Wine, Red Wine, Water

Menu 2: Salad, Pasta, Chicken, Dessert, White Wine, Water

Menu 3: Salad, Pizza, Beverage

Learning Point: Each item on the table has a purpose. Knowing what each item is used for will help you choose the correct one.

Topics for Further Discussion: How to place silverware during and after a meal and how to eat different foods.

Time: 20 Minutes

Healthy Handshake

Bone crushers, limp fish, and clammy are descriptions nobody wants associated with his or her handshake. However, many people have poor handshakes and don’t know it. This activity is designed to correct poor handshakes.

Supplies Needed: None

Directions: Divide the group in half. Have the first group form a circle. Have the next group form a larger circle around the first. Each person should then find his or her partner. From there the handshake cycle begins. Each pair should shake hands, say their names, and state how long they have worked for the organization. The pair then comments on each other’s shake. When finished, the outer circle moves clockwise, and the process begins again.

Note: If the number is even, you don’t need to participate. If it is odd, you do.

Note: This is a good icebreaker or energizer activity. At the end of the round, you might have the pairs complete an additional task together such as solving a case study.

Hello, I’m Roger Ellis. I’ve been with the company five years. I’m Pam Green. I’ve been here for 20 years.

Rate the shake.

Learning Point: Handshakes are a big part of first impressions. Ideally, the handshake should not be remembered for anything other than being strong and professional.

Topics for Further Discussion: How to handle handshaking in countries where males and females do not shake hands and how to handle occasions when someone is missing an arm, has a false arm, etc.

Time: 10 Minutes

Obnoxious Guest

Occasionally people will find themselves in the presence of an obnoxious guest. Part of a well-mannered person’s job is refocusing attention and conversation to something more appropriate. This game is designed to help participants develop that skill.

Supplies Needed: Eight slips of paper with one of the following topics listed on each slip: (1)my last vacation, (2) foods I don’t like (obnoxious guest), (3) my favorite holiday, (4) sports I enjoy, (5) books, movies, or television shows I like, (6) music I don’t like (obnoxious guest), (7) where I grew up, (8) my family or pets.

Directions: Invite eight people to the dinner party. (Select eight people.). Have the group of eight arrange their chairs in a circle in the middle of the room. Pass out one of the slips of paper to each guest. Explain that the topics are suggestions; they are not scripts. The conversation should flow as naturally as possible, and not every topic will be covered.   The challenge at the table is that there is at least one obnoxious guest. The obnoxious guest will complain, act rude, etc. The job of the other guests is to politely take the focus off the obnoxious guest.

This game may fail if the group’s chemistry is off. You can help prevent failure by letting people know that you may substitute members of the audience during the game. Depending on how it is going, you can subtract or add guests as needed.

The game ends at the facilitator’s discretion after several rounds of conversation.

Guest One: I just got back from Thailand. It was a wonderful vacation. Have any of you been?

Guest Two: No, and I would never go there. The food is gross. I don’t like anything with fish in it or mushrooms.

Guest Seven: Where I grew up, we didn’t eat that much fish, but we did eat a lot of spicy foods. Did you happen to make it to a fresh market on your vacation?

Guest One: Yes, we went to several. The produce was beautiful and everything so fresh.

Guest Six: Fresh produce is expensive. That includes the cost of things in this place. Did you see that they are charging seven dollars for a coke? Highway robbery. What idiot picked this place?

Learning Point: Nobody likes obnoxious people. Because you will not always be able to address their behavior directly, learning how to refocus them is a valuable skill.

Topics for Further Discussion: Appropriate versus inappropriate conversation and what to do with someone who has had too much to drink.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

Business etiquette training activities business training works, related resources.

Surviving Family Holidays

Social Media Management Tips

Voicemail Etiquette

Workplace Appearance Etiquette

Cell Phone Etiquette Tips

How to Write a Great Thank-You Note

Air Travel Etiquette Tips

Customer Service Etiquette

Job Interview Etiquette

Cocktail Party Mingling Tips

Twelve Low-Cost Suggestions for Welcoming New Hires

Etiquette and Politics at the Office

Confessions of a Reformed Facebook Abuser

Ten Tips for Better Email

Email Etiquette Guidelines

Leveraging Gratitude

Forty Workplace Etiquette Tips

21 Business Etiquette Rules You Should Never Break

Business etiquette rules.

When it comes to business etiquette, there are rules that aren’t meant to be broken. Some of these may seem like common sense, but you would be surprised by how many times you may have made a mistake without even noticing it.

In recent years, companies large and small have embraced a more laid-back startup culture. Cubicles have been knocked down and replaced with open floor plans. Office furniture can be anything from bean bag chairs and nap pods to foosball tables and arcade games. Suits and ties have been discarded for T-shirts and jeans. Remote work is getting more and more popular.

The less rigid office environment may have some feeling like business etiquette rules are antiquated and unnecessary. Don’t throw them in the trash with floppy disks and strict dress codes just yet. Although it may not be obvious, many companies still have implicit professional and social rules of conduct. We’ve put together these 21 business etiquette rules that will help you avoid awkward situations.

1. Pay attention to names

Names are one of the first pieces of information that we learn about someone. It is how people recognize and address you.

When you tell others your name, include your last name. This is especially important if you have a common first name like Ashley or John.

Remembering names can be challenging, especially if you meet multiple people at one time. One trick that you can use is to identify a characteristic that helps you differentiate them. Another is to repeat their name and try to use it in your conversation 3 to 4 times, but not so frequently that it is obvious.

2. Greet everyone

Greeting the people that you come in contact with isn’t only polite but it establishes rapport. You never know who the people that you greeted could be, so it is important to greet everyone with the same degree of kindness.

A simple “Hi, how are you?” or even a smile and nod is enough.  However, adding more could make them remember you and view you as friendly and pleasant.  It can also strike up conversation. Be considerate though. If they appear to be in a rush or not interested at the moment, don’t force a conversation on them.

Some ways to strike up a conversation could be to:

• Compliment something that they are wearing and ask where they found it.
• Remark on your surroundings. This can be anything ranging from the weather to a book they are holding or the office space.

The key is to ask open-ended questions that will require more than a “yes” or “no” and move the conversation along.

3. Offer a handshake and make eye contact

Handshakes are the universal business greeting. A firm handshake is still considered a positive trait. A weak one is negative.

Usually, the higher ranking person will offer their hand first,  but if they don’t, you can still offer yours. Make eye contact when you shake their hand and smile. Those who avert their eyes are viewed as lacking confidence and honesty.

4. Give cues that show you’re paying attention

When someone else is speaking, it is important to nod or smile. This shows that you are engaged and actively listening. It tells them that you care about what they say and value their thoughts.

Be careful not to interrupt. If you wish to speak, you may send a nonverbal signal by opening your mouth, but it is polite to wait for them to finish.

5. Introduce others

No one likes to awkwardly stand with a group of people who have no idea who they are and what they are doing there. It’s uncomfortable. If you strike up a conversation with someone and are with a person that they haven’t met yet, it is polite to make an introduction.

Give a little more information than just their name though.  You might add the person’s role at your company and what they do. This gives others some background, but keep it brief.

6. Send customized, handwritten Thank You notes

It’s perfectly fine to send out auto-confirmation and thank you emails after customers make a purchase online. However, a thank you by email─especially if it is a large account or long-standing business relationship─is considered ingenuine and rude.

Instead, write out a thoughtful thank you and send it by snail mail. It may take a few more minutes of your time and a little change for postage, but it is more appreciated.

7. Proofread emails for grammar and typo mistakes 

If you are like most professionals, you will communicate a lot through email. Each message sent reflects on you, so you need to make sure that they are professional and well-written. You shouldn’t have typos in emails. It only takes a few seconds to proofread your emails before hitting send.

Technology can even do most of it for you. For example, you can download the  Grammarly extension  for free. It checks your emails for mistakes and offers suggestions to correct mistakes.

8. Be polite and professional in all forms of communication 

It doesn’t matter if you are meeting face-to-face, by phone or through email, each interaction needs to be professional.

When you communicate through text only, you don’t have the tone of voice, facial expressions and other nonverbal cues that accompany it. Remember this when writing emails.  Keep messages short and to the point, but don’t send anything that you wouldn’t say in-person.

9. Always be on time

Whether it is arriving to work or a meeting or making a deadline, punctuality is critical. Time is precious.

When you miss a deadline, the whole team is affected and may have to cover for you. Teams rely on everyone to do their part. It is easy to underestimate how much time you’ll need to complete a project if you don’t regularly track your work. Know how much time it takes you to complete tasks by using a time tracking app like Toggl Track.

When you are late, you are being disrespectful and inconsiderate of another person’s time and commitments. Don’t be late.

If you are running behind schedule, contact them as soon as you realize that you won’t make it on time. Don’t show up too early either. Arriving between 5 to 10 minutes before your appointment is ideal.

10. Dress appropriately

Dress codes have become much more relaxed in recent decades. However, just because there is no rule that says you can’t show up for work in a hoodie, sweatpants and flip flops, it doesn’t mean that you should.

As much as we like to tell ourselves not to “judge a book by its cover,” our immediate reaction is to do just that. In fact, studies have shown that the first thing that people notice about others is their appearance. It is the primary influence on first impressions.

You don’t have to put on a three-piece suit, but  dressing smart shows that you put effort into your appearance  and are more likely to put the same enthusiasm into your work.

When you dress in loungewear in a professional setting, people may think that you are lazy. It doesn't mean that you can’t wear a comfy shirt and jeans occasionally. If it is appropriate for the work environment and situation, then go for it.

11. Always practice good hygiene

No matter what you wear, good hygiene is always a must. Comb your hair. Trim your beard. Clean your fingernails. Make sure your clothes smell good. No one wants to sit next to and work alongside someone who smells like body odor and fried food.

12. If you invite others to a business lunch, it’s your treat

Lunch meetings give you the opportunity to get to know a colleague better, impress an investor or learn more about a client and their needs. The rule of thumb is that the person who extends the invitation covers the bill. Don’t make a fuss over it.

13. Table manners matter

You should also be aware of other dining etiquette. Many of the rules that your parents enforced at the dinner table are still in play.

• Don’t talk with your mouth full or chew with it open.
• No elbows on the table.
• Don’t blow your nose with the napkin.
• No texting or playing with your phone at the table.

Eating while talking business can be difficult if you choose a messy item from the menu. (Stay away from finger foods like oysters and chicken wings.) The rules may change based on where you eat. If you are eating a five-star, luxury restaurant, you’ll want to know the table placements.

14. Keep your workspace neat

A desk cluttered with old coffee cups, piles of paper and more Post-It notes than free space, will distract you and annoy others.

If you can’t keep your workspace clean and organized, then how will you manage your work? It is a question that colleagues, clients, and others will think.

Your workspace reflects on your professional image as well as on your company, so clean it up. Dust a few times a month, develop a system of organization and promptly discard trash in the bin.

15. Show respect for shared areas and items

Working in an office often means that you are sharing the space with others. Many offices will have a shared kitchen or at least, a company fridge to store lunches, snacks, and drinks. Don’t be the person that steals someone else’s food from the company fridge.

Clean up after yourself. If you use the company printer, stapler or other office supplies, then be respectful. Replenish paper and staples for the next person who uses it.

16. Don’t overshare but don’t be too distant either

Don’t drag your personal life into professional settings. Telling everyone in the office about your cheating boyfriend or your wild, drunken weekend escapades puts others in tense and awkward positions. It’s not appropriate for work either, and those who overshare are often fired for it.

People want to know a little bit about you though. If you don’t share anything, you will come off as snobbish or distant. It is important that you know which topics are work appropriate and which are not. Talking about the great food and beaches you visited during a recent trip to Thailand may be appropriate. However, sharing that you went skinny dipping after smoking a huge joint while on vacation there is not.

In general, politics and religion are the two topics considered inappropriate in nearly every professional setting. If you have a personal or medical issue that will affect your work, have a private one-on-one meeting with your manager or boss to let them know.

Don’t be a nosy neighbor.  Remember to respect the privacy and personal space of others.  You may be comfortable sharing details about yourself, but others may not be.

Do better work with Toggl Track

Time tracking can transform the way you work. Track time, get and share insightful reports and stop wondering where your day went.

17. Be mindful of how others work

Some people like to work while blasting loud music. Others might need complete silence to focus and concentrate.

In one office space, there is a mix of workers with different styles of working. If you like to listen to music, do it through headphones. If you need silence, try headphones with  active noise-cancelling technology.

18. Use your inside voice

Some individuals have loud, booming voices that demand to be heard. Sometimes, we get excited in conversation and forget about our inside voices. Either way, it is important to keep sound volume to a decent level. A loud environment distracts and disturbs others.

Plus, your office may share a building with several other businesses. They may be holding meetings or trying to work quietly. Be a good neighbor and use your inside voice.

19. Be aware of nonverbal cues

You might be surprised by how much your facial expressions, body language and hand movements convey to others. Your facial expressions play a huge role in how others perceive you.

For example, a  recent study by Cornell researchers  found that people formed impressions of others based on their facial expressions in photographs. Whether the person in the photo was smiling determined if they viewed their personality as negative or positive. Their first impression from the photo even influenced how they felt about the person after meeting them face-to-face months after.

Everything from your posture to your furrowed brow is a form of communication. Stand upright, smile and if necessary, put on your Poker face.

20. Put away your phone

We've become so attached to our smartphones, tablets and wearable devices that it can be hard to disconnect. However, there are times when pulling out your phone is offensive.

Texting or surfing the Internet on your phone during a meeting is plain rude. Checking your Facebook feed or Twitter notifications in front of a customer reflects poorly on your company and will likely cause you to lose that customer and your job.

It's impossible to give someone your full attention when you are distracted by your phone, so put it away.  Switch it to silent or turn it off completely.

21. Don't be a complainer

Nobody likes a Negative Nancy.

If you notice an issue that should be addressed, don't simply whine about it. (Of course, if it is an issue that violates workplace policies or moral conduct, you should report it to the appropriate person.)

However, if it is anything else, think before you speak. Offer solutions and be careful how you broach the topic. Instead of expressing it as a weakness or a flaw, frame it as an opportunity to improve or an exciting new project.

The rules of business etiquette may change based on the location and culture.  For example, how you start a meeting in the United States would differ from a Hispanic culture like Colombia. Diving right into business in the United States is not only normal but expected. If you do that in Colombia, it is viewed as rude and inconsiderate, which can negatively affect your business relationships.

If your business is global or you travel internationally for work, research the business culture and etiquette. In some cases, people are understanding if you mess up because of a cultural or language barrier. However, showing that you are considerate of their traditions is appreciated.

You may not recognize it, but unspoken and implicit business etiquette exists in even the most laid-back company cultures. It can be difficult to figure them out at first, but following these universal rules can prevent you from making an embarrassing mistake.

Sign up for free

Toggl Track's Free plan is free forever. Our Premium plan comes with a free, 30-day trial. No credit card required to get started.

Prefer a product demo instead?

Teams of 15+ are eligible for a personalized demo to see how Toggl Track can meet your time tracking goals

What Is Business Etiquette?

Work from home has become the new normal for most businesses today. We dress appropriately for virtual meetings, stay connected…

Work from home has become the new normal for most businesses today. We dress appropriately for virtual meetings, stay connected with everyone via internal communication channels and participate in fun work-related (virtual) activities as much as possible. These are some basic examples of business etiquette that help us maintain our professional attitude.

Read on to see what business etiquette entails and how we can use it for professional development.

Business etiquette is a set of social and professional rules that govern the way people interact with one another in business settings. Business or corporate etiquette is instrumental to helping advance in your career. It helps you show others the kind of values and belief systems you follow. Businesses are always on the lookout for individuals who can present themselves in a dignified manner because some may represent the organization externally. Whether it’s interacting with clients or convincing customers, your corporate etiquette can help you create a powerful impression. In addition to showing courtesy and respect to others, you demonstrate self-control and better emotional management.

Types Of Business Etiquettes

There are various subcategories of business etiquette that contribute to professional reputation.

Business Meeting Etiquette

It refers to the behavior expected in workplace meetings. It prompts you to behave professionally and respect others’ time and effort. Here are some strategies to ensure proper meeting etiquette:

Always be on time; If you find yourself running late, apologize and sit down to avoid interrupting the flow of the meeting

Many meeting organizers send a meeting agenda beforehand to help you prepare and gauge expectations; go prepared for your meetings and follow the agenda

Pay attention to your body language; whether you’re presenting or attending a meeting, avoid creating any distractions

Workplace Etiquette

How you present yourself to your coworkers, managers and supervisors affects your professional development. Workplace etiquette is the foundation of professional success. Here are some ways to ensure you present yourself appropriately in workplace settings:

Keep an open mind at work; be flexible to new ideas, thoughts and your colleagues’ diverse perspectives

Understand your workplace culture and the standard codes of conduct; try learning about existing policies and procedures

Oftentimes, we’re quick to judge our coworkers and engage in unpleasant discussions; treat everybody with equal importance and respect

Email Etiquette

Good email etiquette can improve professional relationships and personal reputation. You need to follow certain principles to demonstrate good email behavior.  Here are some best practices to follow when writing professional emails:

Aim to reply to your emails within 24-48 hours of receiving them; you don’t want the other person waiting on you

Keep your emails brief and avoid using words that may confuse or upset the reader

Always proofread your emails for grammatical errors before sending them out; it reflects carelessness otherwise

Telephone Etiquette

Phone etiquette is a way for you to showcase good manners and properly represent yourself or your business to others. Positive interactions create lasting impressions that are instrumental to business success. Here are some effective strategies to develop good telephone etiquette:

Try not to speak too loudly or too softly; ask questions (do you need me to speak louder?) to make sure that you’re audible

Try to answer you calls within two-three rings; in case you miss a call, immediately ring back

If you’re on a conference call and you’re not speaking, mute yourself so that there isn’t any unnecessary disturbance

Importance Of Business Etiquette

Business etiquette is important because it creates a mutually respectful atmosphere that helps you grow and enjoy work. Let’s look at some of the benefits of business etiquette in detail:

When you treat everybody with respect, you strengthen your interpersonal relationships. People find it easier to trust you because you value their opinions and empathize with them. ( https://chacc.co.uk/ )

Good business etiquette helps you feel more confident because you know what to say and when. Customers and clients will likely feel more secure because you’re poised and exhibit professionalism.

You’re better equipped to avoid misunderstanding and conflict because you separate your emotions from your arguments. You show emotional maturity and look at situations objectively.

Business etiquette ensures that you put your best foot forward and create a positive atmosphere for yourself and everyone else. Learn how to win people over with Harappa Education’s Practicing Excellence course. The Four Selfs of Excellence will teach you how to present the best version of yourself to everyone. The 1% Rule framework will show you how even the smallest adjustments can lead to better performance. Make everybody feel comfortable in your presence and leave lasting impressions on others every time!

Explore topics such as What is Etiquette , Telephone Etiquette & Meeting Etiquette from our Harappa Diaries section and improve social skills and develop professionally.

• 0 Shopping Cart € 0,00 -->

Good business etiquette is essential for success in the professional world. Whether you‘re working remotely or in an office, following basic etiquette rules can help you make a good impression, build strong relationships, and improve your overall work experience. In this article, we’ll cover basic rules, rules of communication, working remotely and so on. Additionally, at th end, we’ll discuss some things you should keep in mind about working in Germany.

Basic business etiquette.

Good business etiquette starts with the basics. Here are the three pillars of basic etiquette:

• Punctuality:  Whether you’re attending a meeting or must meet a deadline, it’s important to arrive on time.
• Respectfulness: Treat everyone with respect, regardless of their position or rank. This means using polite language, avoiding interrupting others, and listening attentively.
• Consideration: Consider the needs of others when making decisions or taking action. This includes being mindful of how your actions may affect others and being willing to make compromises or accommodations when necessary.

The way you dress can affect others’ perceptions of you, so make sure to dress in a way that is professional and appropriate for the occasion.

• If unsure, it is normal to ask your superior about the dress code before starting a new position. Once you secured a job, you can look around and take inspiration from your colleagues. Generally speaking, in recent years and especially during the Covid lockdowns, dress codes have become more relaxed – even in traditionally more conservative industries such as finance.
• Make sure not to show much skin: Shorts for men are usually not a good choice for most office jobs and women should make sure their cleavage is not too revealing. If you suit up all the way you may often end up a little overdressed. But you can play with the different elements of the classic business look . For example, wear a pair of jeans with a collared shirt and a suit jacket. Or wear a full suit but swap a shirt for a nice T-shirt. When it comes to makeup for women, you’ll want the look natural.

Again, all of these are more general guidelines. You’ll still need to adjust according to the specific setting you find yourself in.

General Communication Tips

Effective communication is essential for good business etiquette. Here are some tips for effective communication in the workplace:

• Use clear, concise language: Avoid using jargon or complex language that others may not understand.
• Listen actively: Give others your full attention when they are speaking and try to understand their perspective.
• Use appropriate channels: Choose the right communication channels for the situation. For example, email may be appropriate for conveying information, but a face-to-face conversation may be better for discussing sensitive topics. Many companies also added new tools for communication such as Slack or Microsoft Teams. As they more closely resemble chat apps like Whats App the language used isn’t generally as formal when compared to email. But don’t forget, that you’re still in a business context.
• Be responsive: If someone reaches out to you, try to respond in a timely manner. If you can’t respond right away, let the person know when you will be able to get back to them.

Emailing 101

• Add a descriptive subject line: Add a subject line that summarizes the content of your email concisely so your recipients can quickly find it if they need to look at it again.
• Use CC wisely: Only add people to the CC if the information you’re sending is pertinent to them. Beware of adding someone else’s direct superior to the CC without a good reason as it can be interpreted as a sign of aggression and an attempt to apply pressure on a person.
• If someone doesn’t respond to you, you can send a follow-up mail and add their boss to CC. It is important to develop a good sense of how to handle these situations, as they can quickly backfire. So it is better to first talk to your own boss and let them decide how they want to handle it.
• Avoid a verbose email exchange if you can: Sometimes more complex topics are better discussed with a brief phone call instead of 5 very long emails. If you’re working in the office, you can also just talk to people directly. Be aware though that dropping in on someone unannounced can be perceived as overly aggressive, especially if you don’t know that person.
• When using a shared email box with a team, make use of labels to assign responsibilities for different emails, and don’t forget to mark emails as done.

These and many other features are possible in Outlook. In case you are unfamiliar with this helpful tool, feel free to ask someone on your team or Google. Outlook is often used to organize meetings, which we are going to cover in the next block.

Dealing with online meetings

It might be a regular part of your job to plan and schedule meetings. When doing so you should keep the following things in mind:

• Provide an agenda: If you invite to a meeting, it’s a common courtesy to provide a short agenda in the invitation so attendees can give some thought to the matter and prepare in advance if it’s required. Even if the purpose of the meetings was discussed previously amongst the involved people it’s good to write that down as a reminder.
• Be prepared to moderate: If you’re the person inviting to the meeting, others will expect you to also moderate that meeting. If you’re tasked to schedule the meeting for someone else, make sure it’s clear whose meeting it is and who will moderate it.
• Organize the location: Many meetings today are held online via Zoom or Teams. Even if you’re at the office others might not be, so it’s not uncommon to have digital meetings with people both in the office and at home. In that case, you’ll have to provide them with the meeting link. Make sure you configure your video call software so that participants can enter the call directly without a password, are allowed to share their screen, and can dial in via phone. And be mindful of the time limit some free versions of video call apps have.
• If you organize the meeting in the office, make sure to secure a meeting room . Hybrid meetings are usually tricky. They only make sense if you have access to a conference room that is set up for video conferences. Otherwise, technical issues and poor audibility can make things difficult.
• Find the right time spot : When planning a meeting, you can use the planning feature of outlook to find a spot that works for everyone. Since it might be hard to find a perfect spot, make sure to schedule a meeting one or two weeks in advance. It is important that the meeting falls under accepted working hours which are generally from 9  am to  4 pm. However, some companies have their unwritten laws so feel free to ask your colleagues if the time is suitable for them, especially if you are in different time zones.
• During the meeting: When the meeting is scheduled, keep it as short as possible and do not let it run for more than 5 or 10 minutes over the planned time as it can be disrespectful to the time of the others.  If it has happened, that the meeting is running late, ask people whether they want to leave or continue (but don’t expect them to stay). If necessary, it’s better to schedule a follow-up.
• Only invite who is necessary: This one is quite self-explanatory. Only invite people if the content of the meeting is important to them or if they can contribute in a meaningful way. If someone just might be interested in the outcome you can just send them an email after.
• Follow up: To make sure that the meetings have a meaningful outcome it’s your responsibility to follow up. If any tasks were assigned during the meeting, make sure they actually get done and more information or discussion is necessary, it’s on you to make that happen.

Working Remotely

Working remotely can bring its own challenges when it comes to business etiquette. Here are some tips for maintaining good etiquette while working from home:

• Set boundaries:  Make sure to set clear boundaries between your work and personal life. This may mean setting aside a dedicated workspace, establishing a regular work schedule, and letting others know when you are available and when you are not.
• Follow office norms: Just because you’re not in the office doesn’t mean you should ignore office norms. For example, if your team has a daily stand-up meeting, make sure to join the call and participate.

Video calls are a very common part of working from home. Here are some things you should keep in mind when it comes to video calls:

• Wear pants: The dress code for working at home is usually more relaxed than at the office. But don’t show up to your video call in your PJs or with extremely messy hair. Ideally, you would wear pants, but if you don’t then don’t let others see your boxers. (For example: If you have to stand up for some reason, first roll your chair off-screen)
• Mute yourself when you’re not talking: No one wants to hear you cough or sniffle or your dog barking in the background. So mute yourself.
• Turn your camera on: It’s nice to see a face when you’re talking to someone. Don’t fall into the bad habit of never turning your camera. When someone has their camera on, you turn it on as well.
• Don’t interrupt people: This general rule is especially important in the challenging and stressful environment of video calls. Talking over each other reduces efficiency and

Working in an Office

When working in an office, it’s important to follow basic etiquette rules to maintain a professional and respectful work environment. Here are some tips for good office etiquette:

• Be respectful of others’ space: Respect others’ personal space and be considerate of their belongings. For example, don’t borrow someone’s stapler without asking, and make sure to return it when you’re finished.
• Follow office norms: Each office may have its own norms and expectations when it comes to things like dress code, noise level, and communication channels. Make sure to familiarize yourself with these norms and follow them.
• Be a team player: Work together with your colleagues to create a positive and productive work environment. This may mean offering help when needed, collaborating on projects, and providing support and feedback to your teammates.
• Keep your desk tidy: No one wants to work next to a dumpster. So clean up your workplace every once in a while.

Business Etiquette in Germany

The rules outlined above are probably applicable in most business settings globally. There are however some things, that you’ll want to keep in mind when working in Germany:

• Greetings: When meeting someone for the first time, it is common to shake hands and make eye contact. This is a formal gesture, and it is important to show respect and confidence in your handshake. Since Covid, a more informal fist bump or just a simple nod became also acceptable in all industries. In fact, many people prefer them today. It’s fine to wait if the other person initiates a handshake or not and then react accordingly. If you are unsure of how to address someone, it is safe to use the formal “Sie” until the person invites you to use the informal “du”.
• Punctuality: Punctually is important in any business setting. But Germans especially place a strong emphasis on punctuality, and it is considered rude to arrive late to meetings or appointments. It is best to arrive a few minutes early to allow for any unexpected delays. If you cannot make it on time, make sure to contact the other person in advance to apologize and reschedule.
• Gift-giving. It is not common to give gifts in a business setting in Germany, but if you do, make sure to choose something practical and high-quality. Avoid giving gifts that are too personal or extravagant, as this can be seen as inappropriate or even offensive.

How to navigate “Du” and “Sie”

Standard practice in Germany is to use the formal “Sie” and the last name until the more senior person offers to use “Du”. In practice navigating how to use the “correct” form can be more tricky and require quite a bit of experience and intuition.

• Generally, the “Du” version has become much more common and, in some industries and companies has actually become the norm. If you observe that at you’re company everyone is using “Du” and you are instantly offered “Du” after meeting someone for the first time, it might be safe to just generally use “Du”. Be careful with using “Du” with executives and higher-up management.
• When talking to a group of people and using the plural form you can also use the “Du” as it does not sound as direct as the singular “Du”.
• If you use “Du” and the other person is using “Sie” then you should also revert to using “Sie”. Do not switch to “Du” if another person has not offered it and do not initiate it even if it feels like the time came.
• There are some tricks you might use to “nudge” the other person to use “Du”. If it’s someone that you don’t talk to regularly you can ask if you were “per-Du”. In many cases, the other person will just tell you to use the “Du”-form. With someone you’re in regular contact with you can “accidentally” use the informal version and then immediately correct yourself and apologize. More often than not, the other person will just invite you to use “Du-form going forward.

All these things require a certain amount of intuition in reading these situations and relationships as well as a fairly high proficiency in German. Using the wrong form when you’re not a native speaker might be just interpreted as a language mistake on your part if you don’t have very good German. So, when in doubt it’s always safer to go with the “Sie”-version.

In conclusion, good business etiquette is essential for success in the professional world. By following basic etiquette rules, communicating effectively, and being considerate of others, you can make a good impression, build strong relationships, and improve your overall work experience. Whether you’re working remotely or in an office, practicing good business etiquette can help you succeed and thrive in your career.

As a last thought, all these rules are general guidelines. You probably won’t go wrong just sticking to them. But as with all rules they are also there to be broken. Once you have developed the necessary intuition and instinct you will be able to judge situations and relationships much more comprehensively and decide to go against these “Best Practices”. The key to any successful business relationship – as with any relationship in general – is to be your authentic self. Of course, you portray a different version of yourself in a different context than when you’re with friends and family. But the more you get these two versions of yourself to overlap the more you’ll feel like you don’t have to play a character following all these rules and actually be yourself.

Author: Philipp Roth

Information

• Privacy Policy
• Internal Wiki

Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with the most important information and events concerning your studies.

• Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

This website uses the following additional cookies:

Google Analytics

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

Introduction to Business Etiquette

Sep 24, 2014

2.41k likes | 5.13k Views

Introduction to Business Etiquette. Just the basics…. Agenda . Why Business Etiquette? The Basics Business Meetings Telephone Etiquette Practise. Why Business Etiquette?. Case Study.

Share Presentation

• discussion questions
• minutes early
• discussion question 5
• invitation states 7 00

Presentation Transcript

Introduction to Business Etiquette Just the basics… TO 2002/BSSC

Agenda • Why Business Etiquette? • The Basics • Business Meetings • Telephone Etiquette • Practise TO 2002/BSSC

Why Business Etiquette? TO 2002/BSSC

Case Study • John was a corporate banker at an International Bank. At a business lunch with his boss and two potential clients from Thailand and Indonesia, he ordered a steak & pork chop combo and had a few glasses of wine. He tried to make small talk about the movie “Annie and the King” • What happened ? TO 2002/BSSC

Case Study (Answer) • The next day, John was not a corporate banker at an international bank. TO 2002/BSSC

Why bother ? The opportunity : • First impressions count • Build a positive image • Be taken seriously • Mastery of business & social situations = job competence (?) • No second chances TO 2002/BSSC

The negative • People remember – avoid future death • Closed business community • Loss of goodwill TO 2002/BSSC

etiquette “rules governing socially acceptable behavior” TO 2002/BSSC

Military Protocol • Business etiquette has its roots in military protocol • Rank is fundamental • Rank is dependant on experience, seniority and promotion. • In the military, rank equates to greater discretion, perks and rewards – same as the corporate sector. TO 2002/BSSC

Case study Sheryl was a receptionist at a prestigious accounting firm. One day, the firm’s oldest and richest clients entered the office. Instead of greeting her as Mrs Lee, Sheryl wanted to project a friendly image and greeted her “Good Morning Mabel, how are you?” • What happened ? TO 2002/BSSC

Case Study (Answer) • Consequence: Mrs Lee canceled her services with the firm as she felt the receptionist was rude and not well trained. TO 2002/BSSC

The Singapore Context • RHQ for MNCs • Multiracial society with majority Chinese population • Dominated by GLCs • Westernised(?) business culture TO 2002/BSSC

Some Basics TO 2002/BSSC

Really Basic Stuff • Be courteous • Consider others feelings • Treat conflict as situational • Apologise if you make a mistake • Don’t raise your voice • No harsh or derogatory language • Don’t interrupt • Don’t be familiar TO 2002/BSSC

Business Meetings TO 2002/BSSC

Before the Meeting • Plan and communicate in advance: • What is the objective of the meeting ? • The agenda • Decide on participants-no warm bodies • Confirm with participants one working day before the meeting TO 2002/BSSC

When is the proper time to arrive for the meeting ? • If the meeting is at a client/customer/etc location : • Be on time • Not more than 5 minutes early • If you are hosting the meeting be early enough to check the facilties etc. TO 2002/BSSC

Introductions • Stand up for introductions • Give a firm handshake • Identify the Senior Person • The client or any person outside the organisation • The person with the higher rank • Name of Senior Person to be mentioned first • E.g. SM Lee, I would like to introduce you to Mr Tan • E.g. DSBM , please meet our top student Shirley Wong. TO 2002/BSSC

The Business Card • Handed out during introductions • Use two hands to hand out your card with the card orientated towards the receiver. • Receiving a card • Accept the card with two hands • Study the card briefly • The card can be placed on the meeting table for reference TO 2002/BSSC

Follow the leader Don’t interrupt-take your turn Don’t play with toys Do not contradict your own teammates During the Meeting TO 2002/BSSC

Listen - be attentive Keep questions brief Be patient & Calm – don’t fidget Attend the entire meeting Take Minutes During the meeting (cont’d) TO 2002/BSSC

Immediate Death • Sarcasm • Shouting • Losing your temper • Not paying attention • Jokes on sensitivities TO 2002/BSSC

After the Meeting • At the end of the meeting • Thank all participants for their time • Send out minutes to all parties concerned • within 48h of the meeting • Action on Action items TO 2002/BSSC

RSPV: Confirm the meeting Be Early Be Prepared Be dressed appropriately Holdfire - don’t interrupt Don’t play with toys Take your Turn Be Attentive Keep questions brief Be patient & Calm – don’t fidget Attend the entire meeting Action on Action Items Summary: Basic Meeting Etiquette TO 2002/BSSC

Telephone Manners Just the basics… TO 2002/BSSC

Receiving a call- The greeting • Smile & breath in • Three components • Organisation name • Your name • Express a desire to help • Hello <Company Name>, <your name> speaking, can I help you ? E.g. Hello TrendyLink,Kim speaking, can I help you? TO 2002/BSSC

Follow up on incoming calls • Answer in three rings • Always return calls. • If the person is not in, take a message and forward that message to the person. • Keep calls short and to the point • Don’t keep the caller hanging on TO 2002/BSSC

Initiating a call • You will be talking to the receptionist or telephone operator. You need to • Identify yourself • Explain the nature of your call • Seek help in talking to the right person Example: ” 1Hello, my name is John Tan and I am calling from Nanyang Polytechnic. 2I am working on an e-commerce project and am sourcing for external companies to participate in this project. 3Can you put me through to someone I can talk to about this project ? 4Thank You. “ TO 2002/BSSC

Discussion Questions TO 2002/BSSC

Discussion Questions #1 • Your boss, Mr. Singh, enters the room when you're meeting with an important client, Mr. Johnson. You rise and say "Mr. Singh, I'd like you to meet Mr. Johnson, our client from San Diego." Is this introduction correct? TO 2002/BSSC

Discussion Questions #2 • You're hosting a dinner at a restaurant. You've pre-ordered for everyone and indicated where they should sit. Are you correct? TO 2002/BSSC

Discussion Questions #3 • You're entering a cab with an important client. You position yourself so the client is seated next to the pavement. Is this correct? TO 2002/BSSC

Discussion Questions #4 • A toast has been proposed in your honour. You say "thank you" and take a sip of your drink. Are you correct? TO 2002/BSSC

Discussion Question #5 • You're at a table in a restaurant for a business dinner. Midway through the meal, you're called to the telephone. What do you do with your napkin? a) Take it with you.b) Fold and place it to the left of your plate.c) Loosely fold it and place it on the right side.d) Leave it on your chair. TO 2002/BSSC

Discussion Question #6 • You're hosting a dinner party at a restaurant. Included are two other couples, and your most valuable client and his wife. You instruct the waiter to: a) serve your spouse first.b) serve your client's spouse first.c) serve you and your spouse last. TO 2002/BSSC

Discussion Question #7 • You're invited to a reception and the invitation states "7:00 to 9:00 PM." You should arrive: a) at 7:00 PMb) anytime between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PMc) between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PMd) go early and leave early. TO 2002/BSSC

Discussion Question #8 • You're greeting or saying good-bye to someone. When's the proper time to shake their hand? a) When you're introducedb) At their home.c) At their office.d) On the street.e) When you say good-bye. TO 2002/BSSC

Discussion Question #9 • You're talking with a group of four people. Do you make eye contact with: a) just the person to whom you're speaking at the moment?b) each of the four, moving your eye contact from one to another?c) no one particular person (not looking directly into anyone's eyes)? TO 2002/BSSC

Discussion Question #10 • When you greet a visitor in your office, do you: a) say nothing and let her sit where she wishes?b) tell her where to sit?c) say "Just sit anywhere." TO 2002/BSSC

Discussion Question #11 • You're scheduled to meet a business associate for working lunch and you arrive a few minutes early to find a suitable table. 30 minutes later your associate still hasn't arrived. Do you: a) order your lunch and eat?b) continue waiting and fuming that your associate isn't there?c) tell the head waiter you're not staying and give him our card with instructions to present it to your associate to prove you were there?d) after 15 minutes call your associate? TO 2002/BSSC

Discussion Question #12 • You've forgotten a lunch with a business associate. You feel terrible and know he's furious. Do you: a) write a letter of apology?b) send flowers?c) keep quiet and hope he forgets about it?d) call and set up another appointment? TO 2002/BSSC

Questions? TO 2002/BSSC

Asia Pacific Business Etiquette Highlights… TO 2002/BSSC

Business Etiquette AP • China • Be punctual • Let your hosts set the tone • Observe the hierarchy • Select the right spokesperson • Be aware that “not conveniant”,”I am not sure” may mean ‘NO’ TO 2002/BSSC

Business Etiquette AP • Australia • Be direct & get to the point • Words are taken at face value • Hong Kong • Schedule meetings in advance – especially for large companies • Observe hierarchy e.g. seating arrangements etc. • Social conversation will precede business conversation. TO 2002/BSSC

Business Etiquette AP • Indonesia • Need patience and diligence • Do not rush through negotiation process • They remain aloof until consensus is reached. • Be aware that they are naturally soft spoken. • Observe hierarchy. TO 2002/BSSC

Business Etiquette AP • Malaysia • Engage in small talk and a meal at first- trust is vital • Relationship building is long-term • Negotiations are lengthy-work out all details of a proposal in advance. • Agreements can be renegotiatied TO 2002/BSSC

Business Etiquette AP • Philipines • Establish rapport at the start of a meeting e.g. meals activities etc • Listen-do not interrupt • Fellowship and group decisions are important (‘pakikisama’) TO 2002/BSSC

Reference International Business Etiquette-Asia & the Pacific Rim - Ann Marie Sabath TO 2002/BSSC

Questions ? TO 2002/BSSC

• More by User

Business Etiquette

Business Etiquette Dr. Thomas Clark Xavier University [email protected] www.communiskills.com 513.745.2025 Principles underpinning all etiquette: the Golden and Platinum rules Golden: Treat others as you would like to be treated

1.88k views • 72 slides

Business Etiquette. Agenda. Introduction Business Etiquette Standouts Take Aways. Introduction: Why do we care?. Etiquette is an important part of our day to day lives We are always subconsciously adhering to rules of etiquette

1.77k views • 7 slides

College of Business Administration. Business Etiquette. Interior Design March 21, 2005. Business Communication Program. courses in business communication workshops, presentations faculty resources website contact: Dale Cyphert, PhD Associate Professor of Management

441 views • 9 slides

Business Etiquette. Understand appropriate business etiquette and business communication. Business Etiquette. What Is Etiquette?. The set of: Rules Forms Practices established for behavior in a polite society or in official or professional life. Business Etiquette.

755 views • 35 slides

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE. Chapter 2 Business Dress 101: Handling Attire Problems in the Workplace. Clothes make the man – &amp; the woman! When in doubt, always err on the side of dressing slightly more conservative than the situation demands

615 views • 38 slides

Business Etiquette. Barbara Jean Bruin, CHE The Collins School Of Hospitality Management Cal Poly University, Pomona A grateful thanks to Dr. Ben Dewald. Let’s Be Seated. It is customary for the young man to help the young lady on his right to be seated

337 views • 17 slides

Business Etiquette. Greeting and meeting people Professional Social Situations Telephone and E-mail tips Cell phone and Internet Business Attire. General Etiquette in meeting and greeting people. Always be polite &amp; professional (mature) Say “thank you”, “excuse me”, and “nice to meet you”

1.57k views • 19 slides

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE. Chapter 3 Correspondence: Putting It Down In Black and White. Deadlines are tight, budgets are tighter, &amp; more people than ever act as their own secretary

577 views • 44 slides

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE. Chapter 1 Opening Moves: Making Initial Encounters Work. “Civility costs nothing and buys everything” Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. Courtesy begins with introductions

642 views • 44 slides

Business Etiquette. Thank Y ou L etters and Email. What is etiquette?. Before you do something ask yourself, &quot;What is the kindest way to do this ?” Etiquette should flow out of a gracious and kind heart and not be rigidly followed like a set of commandments .

576 views • 12 slides

Business etiquette

Business etiquette. Presented By by the Office of Career Development .

696 views • 17 slides

Business etiquette. Hungary. Contact and communication. It helps if you are introduced to someone, Hungarians trust friend’s friends more Social gatherings are important places for making new contacts You are likely to be invited to a dinner

205 views • 5 slides

Business Etiquette. BCSIII-2:Students will demonstrate effective communication skills used to succeed in the business world. **What is etiquette?. Proper behavior for social situations 6 underlying principles: Be on time Be discreet Be considerate, respectful and upbeat Dress appropriately

503 views • 15 slides

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE. General Rules of Telephone Etiquette Making Phone Calls Receiving Phone Calls Dealing with the Unexpected.

617 views • 22 slides

General Rules of Telephone Etiquette Making Phone Calls Receiving Phone Calls Dealing with the Unexpected. BUSINESS ETIQUETTE. Introduction.

609 views • 23 slides

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE “There is no accomplishment so easy to acquire as politeness, and none more profitable.” George Bernard Shaw. Good manners.

997 views • 48 slides

Business Etiquette. Module One: Getting Started. Manners are more important than laws. Manners are what vex or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or refine us Edmund Burke.

1.78k views • 49 slides

Business Etiquette. Business Etiquette. Business etiquette puts social skills to work in business. Workplace manners give you confidence so that you can deal with people and situations in a polite, professional manner.

2k views • 26 slides

Business Etiquette. How to be Successful in the Business World. By Your Full Name. Introductions. First Impressions. Shaking Hands Properly. On this slide write about proper handshaking and on the following slides list the 12 types of handshakes and the types you should not do.

452 views • 23 slides

Business Etiquette. Handshakes. As the most common of all forms of greetings, the handshake is a traditional sign of trust. In the past, extending your hand in friendship demonstrated that you were unarmed. Handshakes.

671 views • 28 slides

Business etiquette. “etiquette is what you are doing and saying when people are looking and listening. What you are thinking is your business” -Virginia Cary Hudson. As we become a more high-tech society, the need for a sensitive, personal touch in business increases.

995 views • 57 slides

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

No tax on tips: Why politicians love it, and economists don't

Luke Garrett

Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, signs a check "no tax on tips!!" as he leaves $200 in cash for a gratuity at the Park Diner, in Waite Park, Minn., on July 28. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump don't agree on much — especially when it comes to economic policy. But they both want to get rid of taxes on tips.

At a campaign rally in Nevada, Harris joined Trump in supporting tax-free tips.

"It is my promise to everyone here, when I am president, we will continue to fight for working families, including to raise the minimum wage and eliminate taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers," Harris told a crowd at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Trump has been campaigning on the "no tax on tips" policy since June, after a Las Vegas server told him the government was taking too big of a cut from her tipped wages. Trump touted this policy in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention.

But soon after Harris promised to do away with taxes on tips this weekend, Trump criticized the move as being done for "Political Purposes."

What is the new etiquette for tipping?

"This was a TRUMP idea - She has no ideas, she can only steal from me," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Remember, Kamala has proposed the LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN HISTORY - It won’t happen."

In response, a Harris campaign official told NPR that the vice president's policy proposal is distinct from Trump's — and she intends to deliver on it.

"As president, she would work with Congress to craft a proposal that comes with an income limit and with strict requirements to prevent hedge fund managers and lawyers from structuring their compensation in ways to try to take advantage of the policy," the official, who isn't authorized by the campaign to speak publicly, said. "Vice President Harris would push for the proposal alongside an increase in the minimum wage."

Regardless of its origin and ownership, the no tax on tips idea is gaining bipartisan political steam. On Capitol Hill, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced the No Tax on Tips Act in July with the support of Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, from Nevada , and the powerful Culinary Workers Union Local 226. A companion bill — introduced by Florida Rep. Byron Donalds — is also making its way through the House.

But to senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center Steve Rosenthal, this idea is a "bad" one.

"We're in a campaign season — silly season," Rosenthal, who has years of experience designing tax rules for Congress, quipped. "A race to the bottom would be a better way to describe tax policy here."

To tip or not to tip? 3 reasons why tipping has gotten so out of control

For Rosenthal, the idea fails on three counts: equity, efficiency and revenue.

A national ban on taxing tips would disproportionately benefit, for example, a South Carolina server who earns a reduced minimum wage and makes a large portion of their income through tips. While a server in California, where tips make up a smaller portion of their income, would benefit less.

"Why treat employees, who perform similar kinds of services, much different from a tax standpoint just because the first earn tips and the second don't?" the tax lawyer said.

Rosenthal went on to say that a no tax on tips law would be extremely difficult to efficiently administer, regulate and oversee.

"How are we going to tell who is receiving a tip, and when that tip crosses a line into wages?" Rosenthal said. "How will we prevent investment bankers, say, from getting tips? And if we impose income limits, well, wouldn't we expect low paid workers just to demand a tip rather than compensation?"

Ultimately, he said, it would distort the labor market. But the biggest barrier for Congress is the money they'd lose.

"The revenue on this proposal to exempt tips from taxation is something like a couple hundred billion over a 10-year period," he said. "That's a big number for Congress to swallow."

Garrett Watson, senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, largely agreed with Rosenthal.

"The underlying policy basis, I think, is weak at best," Watson said.

He also pointed to a recent study from The Budget Lab at Yale University, which found that only 2.5% of workers would benefit from a no tax on tips policy.

Despite this, Watson said he is eager to get more details from both campaigns on how they plan to implement this relatively new tax proposal.

"A lot of tax ideas that come up have had years or decades of ideas behind them," Watson said. "Here, not so much. So, I definitely think that there are versions of this that are more defensible than others in terms of the policy design."

While Vice President Harris voiced her support for the no tax on tips policy on Saturday, the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 endorsed the Democratic presidential nominee and her new policy position.

"As the largest organization of working women in Nevada, the chance to elect the first woman president of the USA is both energizing and historic and we are ready to make history together," the union said in a statement over the weekend. "Culinary Union has led the fight for over 30 years for fair taxation on tips and our union supports the ban on taxes on tips."

So far, neither campaign has released their full tax-free tips policy proposal.

Correction Aug. 12, 2024

In an earlier version of this story, the name of Florida Rep. Byron Donalds was misspelled as Bryon.

• tipped wages
• Vice President Kamala Harris