PERSONAL SPACE ETIQUETTE AT THE WORKPLACE
As a continuation of our previous discussion on personal space, today we’ll be going a step further by taking it to the workplace.
It is not unheard of for a person having worked at a place for quite sometime, to feel relaxed and let their guard down, especially when it comes to observing personal space etiquette.
Not being conscious of the rules and boundaries of personal space etiquette at the workplace may lead to harassment, physical violations and in some cases it may bring about legal implications. Being aware of these rules would help you keep your job and save you from embarrassment.
5 areas personal space at the workplace affects, includes;
- Physical space
- Physical touch
- Privacy
- Air space
- Work space
- Please avoid touching people at the workplace, except you are really close, and even then, physical contact should be kept to a minimum or better still for outside the workplace.
- A safe physical distance of at least 4 -5 feet is advised during conversations. You don’t want to talk people’s faces or stand too close and make them uncomfortable.
- Yes it may be difficult to have your privacy at work, however your colleagues have varying individuality and preferences and so will love it if you knock before entering their work area, sit down only when asked to, don’t read over their shoulders unless invited to do so, and don’t take items from their work area without asking them.
- Your work area is very important and should be kept tidy and display only work related items. Your colleagues will likely treat your work area the same way you do.
- Air space is very vital considering the fact that you don’t work in an isolated area and the person in the next cubicle or seated across from you may be affected by what you do. Make use of a headphone instead of playing loud music, make calls outside especially if they aren’t work related, have your meals at the general room or kitchen area so that you don’t offend others with the smell of your food, sniffing noises or chewing sounds.
Some other rules to protect yours and respect other people’s personal space include.
A. Learn to separate your work calls and emails from those that are personal.
B. Limit the kind of information you share, especially personal ones.
C. Limit communications, conversations and comments to work related matters.
D. Avoid relationships and emotional tangles that don’t relate to your productivity.
E. Maintain good hygiene and cleanliness. Â
Nnedimma, Communications
