Bring Your Manners to Work Day is celebrated on the first Friday in September. This year it will be celebrated on September 6. With nine to five routines, we probably spend more time with our work family than our real family. And much like at home, good manners need to be followed at the workplace. This includes not having messy workstations, conversing politely, and not using your cellphone when you’re in the company of others.
History of Bring Your Manners To Work Day
They say good manners will open doors that the best education cannot. It is important to have healthy relationships with bosses, colleagues, and clients, to have a good work environment that won’t burn you out. In today’s modern times, manners are no longer limited to gestures like holding the door open for someone or making polite conversation. The way we present ourselves, using meeting hours for browsing on our phones, and many other things make up office etiquette. This is exactly why The Protocol School of Washington created Bring Your Manners To Work Day in 2013 to remind people about the importance of courtesy and manners in the workplace.
A study conducted by Robert Half Technology shows that 64% of Chief Information Officers surveyed said that the rules of the modern workplace are changing due to the increased usage of cell phones, tablets, and other electronic devices, leading to violations and a relaxed attitude towards office etiquette. This figure has increased from 51% from only three years ago.
Commemorated on the first Friday of September every year, Bring Your Manners To Work Day is a much-needed reminder to all that the workplace has a decorum to be followed, and that bad manners are just bad for business.
Bring Your Manners To Work Day timeline
The Ancient Egyptian Ptahhotep wrote “The Maxims of Ptahhotep,” a guidebook on civil virtues like being kind to others and honesty.
The Protocol School of Washington creates Bring Your Manners To Work Day.
According to Bob Sullivan and Hugh Thomson, if we do two things at once, the output will be mediocre for both tasks.
An article published in Entrepreneur Magazine states that Millennials have become addicted to technology, checking their phones at least 43 times a day.
Bring Your Manners To Work Day FAQs
When is Manners Day?
Bring Your Manners To Work Day is observed on the first Friday of September every year.
How do you work on your manners at the workplace?
The best way to work on manners is self-reflection. See if your daily habits align with the rules of the workplace, and you can even seek feedback from your supervisor, or peers.
How do you practice good manners?
A good rule to remember is to extend good manners to others the way you would want to be treated. Avoid excessive or loud talking, disrespecting others’ time, and being careless about your contribution to the workplace.
Bring Your Manners To Work Day Activities
Self-evaluate your workplace etiquette
Observe yourself and take note of where your manners may be lacking at the workplace. It’s better to self-evaluate and rectify than have someone else point it out!
Practice good manners
Don’t limit your good manners to just one day. Start practicing little changes, such as listening to your colleague with undivided attention, or not leaving that coffee stain on a tabletop. Gradual changes may lead to a lifestyle overhaul, at the workplace at least.
Share on social media
Share your awesome workplace and awesome work buddies with the rest of the world using the hashtag #BringYourMannersToWorkDay. Not only is it fun, but it will also be a subtle hint to that colleague who needs to be mindful about his manners!
5 Bad Manners To Avoid At The Workplace
Speaking loudly
We tend to speak three times louder on calls than in person — keep your volume down.
Being late
Always be punctual for meetings, conference calls, and everything else — respect other people’s time.
Don’t leave a mess
If our colleagues are our work family, then our office is our second home — clean up your mess and don’t expect the staff to take care of it every time.
Airplane mode
As tempting as it is, don’t check your phone in the presence of others — pay attention to them and your surroundings.
Don’t ‘borrow’
Don’t assume it is alright to borrow something from other people’s desks without permission.
Why We Love Bring Your Manners To Work Day
The art of manners
We are not saying that everyone is primitive or lacks good manners entirely. But our attitudes at the workplace have increasingly become relaxed, and Bring Your Manners To Work Day serves as a good reminder that our offices are in fact, not our bedrooms.
An inspiration for all
Even if one person displays good manners at the workplace, it can inspire others to follow. After all, everyone looks up to model employees.
It’s good for business
Good manners lead to better understanding between employees, better coordination, and just an overall better office environment. All this is beneficial for business and the company image.
Bring Your Manners To Work Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | September 2 | Friday |
| 2023 | September 1 | Friday |
| 2024 | September 6 | Friday |
| 2025 | September 5 | Friday |
| 2026 | September 4 | Friday |
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