Manners in the workplace appear to have deteriorated over the last five years according to a recent on-line survey
conducted by recruitment specialists TMP Worldwide.
The survey of 231 people showed that 57 % of respondents felt manners weren’t as good as they used to be, with a
resounding 98% stating that bad manners affect staff morale.
However, they saw a marked difference between manners and rudeness, with a 78% stating that rudeness between co-workers
wasn’t a problem at their place of work.
TMP Worldwide conducts a range of on-line topical surveys on a regular basis, with the latest one focusing on work
etiquette.
TMP Worldwide, General Manager – New Zealand, Mr Denis Horner says that interestingly enough [in term of manners]
respondents considered the most inappropriate behaviour when attending an interview was accepting or making a phone call
(42%), followed by swearing (34%).
When asked whether swearing was common in the workplace, 53% responded in the affirmative. 55% stated that they had been
sworn at while at work, with the same amount commenting that they found swearing offensive.
When it comes to who is doing the actual swearing, colleagues appear to be the most guilty at 57%, followed by bosses
(22%) and customer/clients (20%). In addition 59% responded that there is no policy in their workplace regarding the use
of offensive language.
Etiquette towards boss/employee relationships also produced a range of interesting results. 90% of those surveyed stated
that it is important for their boss to care about them as a person, as opposed to 10% saying it isn’t. However, when
asked if they’d like to be friends with their boss, the results were more even. 39% stated yes, 30% no and 31% were
unsure.
In contrast, 74% felt it appropriate for a boss to socialise with their staff members outside work hours, with 26%
disagreeing.
Ends