Etiquette is a defined (or undefined) set of mannerism and behavior in a community or any social occasion. This is what makes a civil human being and its the first step to sophistication. Work etiquette is a basic requisite for any corporate job, well actually any job for that matter. This might vary a bit from country to country, based upon the culture and social structure; but ground rules are the same almost everywhere. Etiquettes at work help building a healthy work culture and reduce the stress level to quite some extent.

Lets have a few points jotted down here.

1. Be at work on time : This would be he ground rule one. This one never goes unnoticed by your boss and co-workers, and needless to say this is a much appreciated trait anywhere and anytime. No one would expect you to stay till late (unless there is some urgent deliverables). You would not have to make excuses, or answer anyone. And most important, it gives you a feeling of satisfaction; and thats a great way to start your day at work.

2. Dress appropriately : Be very careful about what you wear to office, your attire gives the first impression about you. Your clothes do not need to be expensive, all it needs is to be neat, ironed, of proper fitting, and makes you look smart. Flashy colors and designs are a strict no no. And of course no low or revealing cuts in your clothes. Accessories are always welcomed, but they should suite your clothing and appropriate for work attire.

3. Do not discriminate based on gender or race: How much educated and civil we may be, or portray ourselves to be, discriminations are not non-existent yet in our work cultures. Be it race, gender, social status or any other kind of discrimination, it makes people uncomfortable, increases the workplace stress, and decreases productivity in a longer run. Avoid making racist or gender specific jokes. And treat all your co-workers the same way.

4. Be cautious while using phone at work: Using your cellphone for longer duration, while you are at your desk could be disturbing for your colleagues. So go outside finish your conversation, if you think its going to be longer than a few minutes. While using your work phone, keep you volume low while on the phone, make use of headphones instead of speakers if you have long calls or meetings over phone. Avoid using work phone for your personal calls, or giving the work number for on line registration for your subscriptions etc.

5. Stay away from office gossip: Gossip has never done anyone any good. It can just hurts other people, breaks friendships, and makes people less trustworthy. And in office especially, others personal life, or even professional stuff as long as you are not directly involved with this; should be none of your botherations to care for.

6. Do not mix personal and professional life: Your personal and work life should stay separate. Your friends and colleagues are connected to you in different level of emotions, and that distance or barrier should be there for all good reasons. You can share some of your personal stuff at work, but that has to have a limit, especially the 'not going so good' parts. You can end up being the topic of office gossip, or be looked upon by your co-workers, as a guys who says it all to everyone. On the other hand, avoid asking people questions, that they could be uncomfortable answering. Or even giving advises without being asked for.

Following some basic etiquettes makes our and our co-workers life easier and the work-place becomes a better place to spend a major part of our day.