This episode is brought to you by Berkshire Hathaway Homestake Companies, VHHC, a leading national rider of workers' compensation insurance. Our AMS rating of A++15 enables us to offer coverage for a wide variety of businesses under all market conditions. VHHC is committed to providing injured workers with compassionate care and access to timely, high-quality medical treatment and support. Our loss control services, proactive claim management, medical cost containment, and fraud prevention contribute to superior claim outcomes for our policyholders.
You're listening to Range of Mesa Studio One Podcast, where each week break down complex insurance and safety topics to help your business thrive. I'm your host, Alyssa Burley, and today I'm joined by Brenda Colby, Client Technology Specialist with Range of Mesa, and we're going to discuss workplace etiquette guidelines for new employees and those new to the workforce. Brenda, welcome to the show. Happy to be here, Alyssa.
So whether you're starting a new job or looking to polish your current habits, professionalism can make or break your success at work. And for employers, it's really important that you communicate your expectations to employees. So let's start with the basics. What does professionalism and attitude look like on a day-to-day basis?
What should employers expect of their employees? So that's a good question, and it starts with being reliable, showing up on time, meeting deadlines, and doing what you said you do. And punctuality sends a message that you respect other people's time. Yeah, and that reminds me of one of Range of Mesa's core values, which is accountability.
When you take responsibility for your work, even when things go wrong, it builds trust within your team. Exactly. And adaptability is a big one, too. Being open to feedback, learning new tools, and rolling with last-minute changes, that's what makes employees stand out.
Yeah, so let's talk also about communication. We all send dozens of emails and chat messages a day. Explain how tone matters in those communications. Tone really does matter, actually.
So using professional language, avoiding slang, and abbreviations help maintain clarity and respect. And when writing emails, structure them well. Use a clear subject line, a greeting, a body, and signature. Yes, and proofreading goes a long way, too.
You don't want to rush an email to a client and end up sending sentences full of typos, or having to exchange more emails than necessary because the message wasn't clear to begin with. Exactly. And in meetings, also be present. No multitasking.
Come prepared, listen actively, and show engagement. People notice that level of professionalism. Yes, and we often think multitasking is being productive, but not when you're in a meeting and another person is talking to you. Now, what can you share about respect in the workplace?
Because this is one that makes or breaks a team culture. Yeah, this is a big one. So respecting boundaries is key in order to ensure employees are able to stay focused on their tasks and have an enjoyable experience every day. So avoid hovering at someone's desk for long periods of time, and keep chatting in volume to a minimum, especially for personal conversations.
Being aware of the people around you and their need to focus is important in maintaining a respectful environment. And teamwork is important, too. Offering help, sharing credit, keeping communication open, that's where collaboration really shines. Yes, and anyone who has played a team sport can incorporate that same attitude in the workplace.
And when conflict happens, which it will, address it calmly and privately. Avoid venting to coworkers or sending angry messages or airing grievances online, which brings us to our next topic, digital contact. We're all online more than ever, so digital conduct is part of professionalism, even when it's on your personal or professional account, right? Absolutely.
We advise to follow your company's IT policies, keep online communication appropriate, which means using a professional tone even in chat apps, and minimizing distractions like social media can help you stay productive. Also, confidentiality matters. Customers never share company or client information without permission. It's not just unprofessional, and it can be a legal issue.
So let's move on to workplace habits. What advice do you have for new employees about how they manage their space? So I know that clean desks and quiet spaces might sound simple, but they make a big difference. So keeping shared spaces tidy, being mindful of noise, dressing appropriately, all that contributes to a positive workplace culture.
And take breaks responsibly, step away when you need to, and make sure you're managing your time well. Absolutely. And you don't want to be disruptive of the people working around you, and no one likes to pick up after a co-worker's mess. All right, so let's talk about participation and culture.
Being engaged with your team isn't just about showing up to meetings, it's about making meaningful contributions. So how can employees be sure they're participating well on their team? This is a good one. So attend meetings, ask questions, and learn how your organization works.
And if you're remote, turn your camera on. Being visually present helps build connection. Yeah, and don't be the story. This is something that Rancho Mesa talks about all the time, meaning represent your company well, on and off the clock.
Exactly. Professionalism doesn't end when you log off. Keep your calendars updated, your chat status accurate, and be accessible when people need you. So to sum it up, professionalism isn't just about following the rules.
It's about showing respect, taking ownership, and creating a workplace where everyone can do their best work. Right, and when you lead with integrity and intention, professionalism becomes part of who you are, not just what you do. Well said. And in addition to everything we discussed today, a professional etiquette online course is available through Rancho Mesa's RM365 HR Advantage Portal, and is a great resource for new employees, or can be used to remind current employees of company expectations.
So employers can use that online course as they see fit. So Brenda, if listeners have questions about the RM365 HR Advantage Portal, what's the best way to get in contact with you? As always, clients can contact me at bcolby at ranchomesa.com, or call me directly at 619-486-6562. Brenda, thank you for joining me in Studio One.
Thanks for having me. Thanks for tuning in to our latest episode produced by Studio One. If you enjoyed what you heard, please share this episode and subscribe. For more insights like this, visit us at ranchomesa.com, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.