By Allison Ebner
Let’s be honest, every generation entering the workforce faces a little heat, and today, Gen Z is in the spotlight. Born between 1997 and 2012, this group is full of innovation, energy, and digital smarts. But employers are noticing something else: a lack of familiarity with basic workplace etiquette. Things like missing deadlines without notice, texting during meetings, or using overly casual tone in professional emails are showing up more frequently. But here’s the catch: it’s not just Gen Z.
The pandemic blurred the lines of professionalism for everyone. From remote veterans hopping on Zoom late to leaders shooting off short emails with no context, we’ve all let a few workplace habits slide.
Why This Matters
Etiquette isn’t just about manners, it’s about respect, clarity, and trust. These are cornerstones of great teams, no matter your role or age. It’s clear that as employers and HR professionals, we need to hit the RESET button on workplace etiquette expectations. Here are a few suggestions on how to get this started:
- Normalize etiquette refreshers
Take five minutes in a team meeting to review expectations—like when to respond to emails, or how to participate in hybrid meetings. You really do have to ‘state the obvious’ and be very specific about expectations.
- Encourage mentorship (in both directions)
Pair experienced employees with new hires and invite Gen Z to share insights on communication styles and digital tools. Create work team across generational boundaries so they can share and learn from one another.
- Make sure your Leaders are modeling good behavior
Nothing is less motivating than being told to behave one way and your boss does the exact opposite. You will never make progress if your people leaders aren’t demonstrating the behaviors you want from the team.
- Define your ‘non negotiables’ and discuss them often
Every organization has them. Absolute rules that cannot be broken in the workplace. One example of this is fighting or loud arguments between co-workers in our workspace. Another might be no texting during team meetings. Be clear and communicate these frequently to your entire staff.
- Incorporate etiquette standards into your performance management process and your 1:1 meetings
To demonstrate how serious you are about professional standards, tie it to compensation. Creating consequences for failing to meet these expectations will help you hold people accountable to their behavior. You can also reward great behavior as it happens by incorporating a spot bonus program using gift cards or time off.
- Create a safe space for questions
Make it easy for anyone to ask, “What’s the norm here?” without fear of sounding inexperienced.
The Bottom Line
Workplace etiquette isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being intentional. In today’s diverse, fast-moving work environment, getting back to basics is a win for everyone. Whether you’re just starting out or leading the team, it’s always the right time to sharpen your soft skills and create a culture of trust and inclusion.
EANE’s brand new Business Etiquette and Professional Presence training course is almost ready to hit the streets! For a sneak peek at this half-day virtual or in-person training, contact Gary Dawson at gdawson@EANE.org.