Things to Avoid Doing When Talking to Coworkers, From Etiquette Coach

Breaking: A new briefing on workplace conduct outlines practical, psychology-backed rules to navigate contemporary offices, whether on-site or remote. The focus is on respect, boundaries, and clear dialogue to sustain productivity and trust.

Etiquette expert Mariah Grumet highlights that simple missteps—such as gossip, touchy topics, lateness, or jokes at others’ expense—can erode teamwork. Her guidance provides actionable do’s and don’ts for daily interactions in today’s workplaces.

Don’t Gossip With Coworkers — No Matter How Close You think You Are

Gossip may feel like a bonding moment in the moment, but it is rarely an appropriate way to connect. Experts say that even strong relationships in the office require boundaries, and spreading rumors about colleagues crosses a line that harms trust and morale.

There Are Topics To Avoid In The Workplace

Certain conversations should stay outside the office, including sensitive matters such as religion, politics, personal health, or appearance. Even close colleagues must keep discussions professional to protect a respectful work habitat.

Professional settings demand a level of restraint, especially when topics could be sensitive or divisive for others. Maintaining professional boundaries helps preserve inclusivity and focus.

Don’t Arrive Late To Meetings

Respect for others’ time begins with punctuality. Being on time,whether you’re attending a meeting or facilitating one,signals you value the team and the work at hand.

Refrain From Making Jokes At The Expense Of Others

humor can be a bridge in some settings, but jokes at someone’s expense can backfire.Experts advise maintaining a respectful tone and avoiding jokes that could be misinterpreted or hurtful.

Pay Attention To Your Body Language

Body language often communicates more than words. Positive cues—such as leaning forward to show engagement and avoiding crossed arms—support your message and demonstrate respect for colleagues.

Behavior	Best Practice
Gossip	Limit conversations to professional topics; avoid discussing coworkers
Sensitive Topics	Avoid politics, religion, health, and appearance in the office
Punctuality	Be on time for meetings and deadlines
Humor	Use respectful humor; do not joke at others’ expense
Body Language	Maintain open posture; lean in to show listening

Evergreen Takeaways For A Lasting Professional Image

In today’s hybrid workplaces, simple etiquette shapes how colleagues perceive professionalism and reliability. Boundaries apply across all modes of work, including virtual rooms, and attentive body language reinforces clear communication.Adapting these practices helps teams collaborate more smoothly, reduce misunderstandings, and build a culture of mutual respect.

For broader context on workplace culture and conduct, readers may consult established resources from reputable outlets and professional associations.

External context: For deeper exploration of professional communication and organizational behavior,see resources from credible publications such as harvard Business Review and the Associated Press style and reporting guidelines.

reader Questions

What etiquette rule do you find hardest to uphold in your workplace, and why?

What practical tip would you add to help distributed teams stay professional and respectful?

Share your thoughts in the comments to help others navigate the evolving office etiquette landscape.

1. Interrupting the Conversation

why it hurts: Cutting someone off signals that you value your own opinion over theirs, which can erode trust and lower team morale.

• Stop the habit:

1. Count to three silently before replying.
2. Use a brief “I’m listening, just a sec” when you need a moment to formulate a response.
3. Real‑world example: A 2023 Harvard Business Review study found that teams with high interruption rates reported a 27 % drop in perceived psychological safety.

2. Engaging in Office Gossip

Why it hurts: Gossip spreads misinformation, fuels resentment, and can lead to legal issues if it touches on protected characteristics.

• Practical tip: Replace “Did you hear…?” with “I’ve noticed this trend…”.
• Case study: at a multinational tech firm, SHRM reported a 15 % decline in employee turnover after instituting a “no‑gossip” policy and encouraging transparent communication.

3. Overusing Jargon or Acronyms

Why it hurts: overly technical language alienates coworkers who aren’t familiar with the terminology, creating communication gaps.

• Action steps:
• Write out the full term on first use, then add the acronym in parentheses.
• Ask, “Is that clear?” before moving on.
• Benefit: Clear language improves cross‑functional collaboration by up to 22 % (Forbes, 2022).

4. Dismissing Remote or Hybrid Colleagues

Why it hurts: Ignoring virtual participants signals exclusion, hurting engagement and productivity.

• Best practices:
• Always address remote workers by name.
• Summarize key points for the whole group after an in‑person discussion.
• Evidence: A 2024 Gartner survey showed that teams that practiced “inclusive meeting etiquette” saw a 31 % increase in remote employee satisfaction.

5. Multi‑Tasking While Others Speak

Why it hurts: Checking emails or scrolling on your phone signals disinterest and can cause you to miss critical details.

• Speedy fix: Put devices on “Do Not Disturb” mode during face‑to‑face or video calls.
• Result: Teams that adopted this habit reported a 19 % rise in meeting effectiveness (MIT Sloan Management Review, 2023).

6.Making Assumptions about Roles or Responsibilities

Why it hurts: Jumping to conclusions can lead to miscommunication and missed deadlines.

• Check before you assume:

1. Ask clarifying questions (“Can you walk me through your current priorities?”).
2. Verify responsibilities via a shared project tracker.
3. Real‑world impact: A Fortune 500 company reduced project overruns by 12 % after implementing a “role‑clarity” check‑in protocol.

7.Offering Unsolicited Advice

Why it hurts: Uninvited input can feel patronizing and may undermine the coworker’s confidence.

• Polite approach:
• Phrase suggestions as “I’ve found X works for me; could that help you?”
• Wait for a clear “yes” before proceeding.

8. Ignoring Body Language Signals

Why it hurts: Non‑verbal cues convey emotions and engagement levels; overlooking them can cause misinterpretation.

• Key signals to watch:
• Crossed arms = possible defensiveness.
• lack of eye contact = disengagement or discomfort.
• tip: Mirror the speaker’s posture subtly to build rapport, a technique supported by the American psychological Association (2022).

9. Over‑Sharing Personal Details

Why it hurts: While building rapport is valuable, excessive personal disclosure can blur professional boundaries.

• Guideline: Share only what is relevant to the conversation or workplace culture.

10. Using a Condescending Tone

Why it hurts: A patronizing tone can damage relationships and trigger conflict.

• Tone‑checking technique:
• Read your sentences aloud before sending a message.
• Replace “You should” with “Would you consider”.

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Benefits of Practicing Mindful Communication

Benefit	Measurable impact
Enhanced trust among teammates	18 % higher peer‑rating scores (LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 2023)
reduced conflict resolution time	24 % faster issue closure (mckinsey, 2022)
Increased employee engagement	13 % uplift in annual engagement surveys (Gallup, 2024)
Higher productivity	9 % boost in project delivery speed (Boston Consulting Group, 2023)

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Quick Reference Checklist (Copy‑Paste Friendly)

• ☐ Pause before responding to avoid interruptions.
• ☐ Avoid gossip; replace with factual observations.
• ☐ Explain jargon on first use.
• ☐ Include remote colleagues in the conversation flow.
• ☐ Put devices on “Do Not Disturb” during discussions.
• ☐ Verify role expectations before assuming tasks.
• ☐ Offer advice only when asked.
• ☐ Observe and mirror positive body language.
• ☐ Keep personal disclosures work‑relevant.
• ☐ Use collaborative, non‑condescending language.

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Practical tip for daily use:

At the start of each meeting,state the “communication ground rules” (e.g., no interruptions, equal airtime). This simple habit sets expectations, reduces missteps, and reinforces a culture of respect.