Are You a Respectful Co-Worker?

Respect is the foundation of a productive office environment. In addition to creating peace and positivity, it ensures that everyone feels comfortable venturing the ideas and input that can lead to valuable innovations. By doing your part to be a respectful co-worker, you can support your personal and professional well-being.

Maintain Personal Hygiene

When you're working in close quarters, your personal hygiene can have a direct impact on the people around you. Being a respectful co-worker requires that you shower regularly and keep body odor at bay. Use a light hand with perfumes and heavily fragranced products. For a person with allergies or scent sensitivity, a colleague doused in cologne can make for a miserable day of sniffling and difficult breathing. Another part of personal hygiene is managing your bodily functions in the common space — respect your colleagues by heading to the bathroom before you do anything that might be considered rude or unpleasant.

Be Reliable

In an interconnected office environment, reliability is a crucial part of being a respectful co-worker. Failing to deliver a product on time can cause a ripple effect of delays; showing up late to a meeting holds up the entire team and communicates a lack of respect for your colleagues' time. Part of showing respect includes sticking to your word at all times. If you make a promise, follow through. If you borrow something from a colleague, return it quickly. By showing your colleagues that you are reliable and trustworthy, you can inspire confidence, gain respect and do your part to help the company run smoothly.

Embrace Conversational Etiquette

A safe, respectful corporate culture starts with individual employees. One way to be a respectful co-worker is to practice office etiquette in your casual conversations. Don't ask prying questions, and don't divulge overly personal information about yourself. Refuse to participate in office gossip. Avoid political or religious conversations, which can create bias and lead to irreparable rifts between colleagues. On a general level, practice good manners when chatting with others in the office — offer polite greetings, say "thank you" and learn the art of small talk.

Be a Good Team Member

Successful businesses require teamwork from all employees. To be a respectful co-worker, practice being a great team member. Support your colleagues, and ask for help when you're in need. Learn how to accept blame and credit — no one respects a professional who passes the buck for mistakes or accepts acclaim without acknowledging the contributions of others. Recognize your colleagues' experience and expertise by asking for their opinions, and be liberal with praise.

Respectful co-workers are the foundation of a thriving business. By editing your words and actions based on how they affect the people around you, you can help create a happy, peaceful workplace.

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