What is ‘business casual’ anyway? Office etiquette a challenge with hybrid work

The world of work is drastically different from what it was, with many colleagues still working from home full or part time as hybrid and remote models continue.

But as more professionals return to the office, there has been a struggle for some teams to find a consensus around office etiquette, from meeting behavior to what constitutes ‘business casual’.

Some are returning after being away for years, and according to a Robert Half survey, office blunders are becoming more and more common.

“Companies need to set clear guidelines about what is and isn’t allowed in the office, always consulting legal counsel first to ensure equitable policies,” said Derek Wood, Regional Director at Robert Half.

“When introducing a policy to employees, managers should consider sending out a memo and discussing it during staff meetings. The information should also be included in the employee handbook and highlighted during new worker orientations. If necessary, reminders about the rules of conduct can be posted in the break room.”

Basic office etiquette blunders cause big annoyance

The August 2023 survey interviewed 596 Canadian professionals working in tech, marketing, HR, finance, creative, legal, administration and customer support. It found that basic etiquette faux pas are causing many office and hybrid workers big headaches.

Out of a range of etiquette pet peeves, loud talking (37%) and office gossip (35%) were the two top offenders. Also, meeting etiquette was pointed out as a major irritant: thirty-five percent of both office and hybrid workers said they experience frustration when their colleagues come to meetings unprepared, come late, or dominate conversations.

The concept of business casual is also causing stress; even though 68% of workers agree that professional attire has become more casual, a quarter of them admit that they don’t know what “business casual” means.

Employees would be open to office etiquette training

The survey found that 68 percent of workers would take advantage of office etiquette training resources if their workplaces offered them.

Gen Z – the cohort that has had the least exposure to office settings, was the most interested in receiving guidance, at 88%.

Wood had some specific suggestions for HR wanting to guide office etiquette in their workforces.

• Read the room: If a team tends to work in silence, encourage scheduled meetings rather than spontaneous conversations.
• Ask about etiquette: Encourage questions around office etiquette, unwritten rules or office culture.
• Have a policy of promptness: Promptness shouldn’t only be encouraged for arriving at work, but also arriving to meetings prepared. Arriving late disrupts the meeting for everyone else and could delay the start.
• Music in shared spaces: Streaming content or playing music without headphones can be disruptive.

Advice for dealing with office etiquette blunders

Wood also offered HR professionals tips on how to approach an employee who may be unknowingly breaking issues of etiquette.

“If you are noticing a colleague or employee breaking office etiquette, the best thing to do is to discuss the matter privately. It’s possible they might be unaware that they’ve crossed an etiquette line, and ideally the matter could be resolved just by notifying them,” he said. “Having clear guidelines and policies in place can help mitigate etiquette blunders and any awkwardness about trying to confront them.”

Wood recommended providing employees with basic training sessions that include company policies and guidelines around etiquette, giving employees – especially Gen Z – the chance to understand unwritten rules of office culture:

“By offering these sessions, employees have a chance to better understand your specific company guidelines, ask questions, and feel confident about putting their best professional foot forward.”