In the hustle and bustle of our nine-to-five routines, we often spend more time with our work family than our actual family. Just like at home, good manners are essential in the workplace. Whether it’s maintaining a tidy workstation, conversing politely, or resisting the urge to check our cellphones during meetings, practicing courtesy at work matters. Enter “Bring Your Manners To Work Day”—a day dedicated to reminding us that professionalism and civility are crucial in our professional lives1.
History
They say good manners open doors that even the best education cannot. In today’s modern times, manners extend beyond simple gestures like holding the door open or making polite conversation. Our behavior—whether we’re glued to our phones during meetings or multitasking—shapes office etiquette. Recognizing this, The Protocol School of Washington established Bring Your Manners To Work Day in 2013. Their goal? To emphasize the importance of courtesy and manners in the workplace. A study by Robert Half Technology revealed that 64% of Chief Information Officers surveyed believed that office rules were evolving due to increased cellphone and electronic device usage, leading to relaxed attitudes toward etiquette. This figure had risen from 51% just three years prior1.
Timeline of Bring Your Manners To Work Day
Let’s take a journey through time, exploring key moments related to this observance:
- Third Millennium B.C. Ancient Etiquette
- The Ancient Egyptian Ptahhotep authored “The Maxims of Ptahhotep,” a guidebook emphasizing virtues like kindness and honesty.
- 2013: Birth of Bring Your Manners To Work Day
- The Protocol School of Washington officially established this day, urging everyone to bring their best behavior to the office.
- 2013: Double Trouble
- Bob Sullivan and Hugh Thomson highlighted the pitfalls of multitasking. Doing two things at once often results in mediocre output for both tasks.
- 2014: Plugged In
- Entrepreneur Magazine reported that Millennials had become addicted to technology, checking their phones an average of 43 times a day.
Conclusion
Remember, bad manners aren’t just impolite; they’re bad for business. So, let’s bring our best selves to work, treat our colleagues with respect, and create a positive work environment. Happy Bring Your Manners To Work Day! 🤝🌟
FAQs About Bring Your Manners To Work Day
Q.1 When is Manners Day?
It’s always celebrated on the first Friday in September, so this year, mark your calendars for September 2, 20242
Q.2 How do you work on your manners at the workplace?
Start by self-evaluating your workplace etiquette. Observe where your manners may be lacking and make improvements. Better to catch it yourself than have a colleague point it out!
Q.3 How do you practice good manners?
Don’t limit good manners to just one day. Consistently listen to colleagues, avoid leaving coffee stains on shared surfaces, and be present during meetings. Small changes add up!
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