Name Date_______________ Period_____________

Employment and Career Readiness:

Business Etiquette and Social Skills Activity Packet

Are you… Be courteous when you are sick. Do not infect

…that person who only talks nicely to “important” others by coming to work while you are contagious.
people? Cover your mouth when you cough and excuse
yourself when you sneeze. Leave the room to blow
…that person who does not RSVP to business your nose and then thoroughly wash your hands.
meetings or events?
…that person who brings smelly lunches to work? Communicate Appropriately
Be courteous when you communicate with and
Don’t be that person! greet others. Shake hands, introduce yourself, offer a
Several co-workers were entering their office chair, and exchange business cards, as appropriate.
building. The first man pushed open the heavy door. Respond to verbal questions, RSVP requests, emails,
The co-worker walking behind him assumed he texts, and voicemails promptly. Focus on the speaker.
would hold open the door until she could grab the Do not wear headphones, text, fidget, or look around
handle. Instead, the door swung shut, knocking her or down during a conversation.
folders to the ground. Don’t be that person who fails Be aware of your body language. Never stand or
to extend basic common courtesies to others. lean too close to a person when speaking or point
The term etiquette may make you think of your finger. Crossing your arms and leaning away
choosing the correct fork at a fancy restaurant or can appear defensive or hostile. Slumping in a chair
writing countless thank you notes. However, business or resting your head in your hands shows disinterest.
etiquette is simply the accepted set of manners and Instead, demonstrate your engagement by using eye
behaviors appropriate for the workplace. contact, nodding, and maintaining a friendly posture.
Above all, do not be offensive, immature, or Address co-workers, supervisors, and customers
rude. Your age is not an excuse for unacceptable or verbally and in writing by the names they used when
inappropriate behavior. Remember that kindness and they introduced themselves to you. However, if you
politeness are more important than minor etiquette are unsure or have forgotten, politely ask or follow
errors, so do not let the multiple forks at a restaurant the lead of your co-workers. For example, do they
intimidate you. Your co-workers, clients, or call your supervisor Mr. Morales, Javier, or sir? You
supervisor are more likely to remember if you do not want to be too formal or too casual. The goal
disrespect a waiter than if you use the wrong utensil. is to match the standards of the particular workplace.
Learn to pronounce each person’s name correctly.
Be Polite and Respectful to Everyone Write it down phonetically if you need a reminder.
Everyone knows to be polite to their boss, but Show interest in other people by asking general,
many workers do not make the same effort with the but not overly personal, questions about them. Do not
company janitor, receptionist, delivery person, or swear or use racist or sexist language. Say please
security guard. Be kind and friendly to all people you when making a request or asking for help.
interact with, regardless of their position. Besides Afterwards, a simple thank you is usually sufficient.
being the right thing to do, these people will be more However, when someone has done a more significant
likely to help you and speak well of you in return. favor, show your appreciation in a written email or
Treat others as you would like to be treated. For letter. Graciously congratulate and compliment
example, do not jam the copy machine and leave it people on their accomplishments or contributions.
for the next person to fix. Admit and correct your During work meetings, stay focused, turn off
mistakes, especially if they impact others. mobile devices, and put away any snacks. Give
Remember that what goes around comes around. people enough time to finish their thoughts, rather
If you persistently spread rumors, eavesdrop, or than completing their sentences or interrupting them.
gossip about others, be prepared for the backlash. If Offer help if an individual is clearly struggling. Do
you only talk to a co-worker when you need help, do not stand idly by as someone wrestles with the
not be surprised if he or she begins avoiding you. projection equipment or spills his or her coffee.
© Career and Employment Prep Business Etiquette and Social Skills Activity Packet
 Recognize that people are busy, so arrive on time heating smelly items such as fish, seaweed, or
for all scheduled calls, meetings, appointments, and burning popcorn. Clean up the appliances, counters,
shift changes. Although an individual may not always and table you used.
have time for a long conversation or discussion, it is If your employer provides a buffet-style work
still courteous to use a warm, simple greeting. “Hi, meal, do not load your plate up too high, and never
Lorena. How are you today? Are you available to take seconds unless everyone has eaten already. You
help me with a problem this afternoon?” is better than want to make sure everyone gets his or her fair share.
“Hey. I need your help. Now.” If you eat at your desk, be careful about tossing
the trash in your garbage can. If the janitor does not
Eat Like a Lady or Gentleman empty your garbage daily, any remaining food could
Find out how long your company allows for attract bugs or emit odors. Do not distract nearby co-
meals or breaks. Whether you eat on the company workers by eating super crunchy foods.
premises or at a restaurant, return to work on time. If you need a snack or treat, keep it simple and
Avoid choosing particularly smelly, messy, or discreet. Do not eat in front of other people unless
complicated foods. Use good table manners, food is also available to everyone. For example, do
including eating with your mouth closed, keeping not bring a doughnut to a meeting if you did not bring
elbows off the table, wiping your mouth with a have enough to share.
napkin, placing your napkin on your lap, and asking Your employer or co-workers may sometimes
for something out of your reach (rather than leaning bring snacks to share with others. Be respectful by
across the table). Never slurp, belch, or pick at your thanking them and occasionally reciprocating with
teeth in front of others. your own group contribution. Also, don’t be that
If you choose to eat on your company’s premises, person who touches all the cookies before selecting
be sure your items do not to take up too much space one. Understand all rules regarding shared resources,
in a shared refrigerator. Never eat or throw away such as the break room coffee machine. Do not take
someone else’s food or beverages. Do not the last cup without making a fresh pot and certainly
monopolize the microwave for long periods of time, do not take a cup if it is not free. It is not good
especially if other people are waiting for it. Avoid business etiquette to steal.

Workplace/Business Etiquette Checklist

Do Don’t
→ be polite, kind, friendly, and courteous to x yell, eavesdrop, gossip, spread rumors, swear, or use
everyone at work offensive, racist, or sexist language
→ admit and correct your mistakes x leave a problem for others to fix
→ use proper hygiene, especially when you are sick x spread germs or come to work while contagious
→ greet people politely and pronounce their names x call someone by a nickname or shorten a person’s name
correctly unless he or she requests it
→ respond to people’s requests promptly and politely x fail to do as you promised
→ be an active listener x wear headphones, text, or look away while conversing
→ show interest in other people x use negative body language
→ say please, excuse me, and thank you x be demanding, selfish, or rude
→ provide help when appropriate x interrupt people or complete their sentences
→ be on time for calls, meetings, and shift changes x forget to greet people when in a hurry
→ understand and follow all rules related to shared x violate written or unwritten workplace rules
resources, such as the coffee pot or copy machine
→ use good table manners when eating x slurp, belch, or pick at your teeth
→ be considerate in the break room x monopolize the refrigerator or microwave
→ clean up your messes, including meal-related trash x leave your mess behind for others to clean
→ share buffet-style meals and snacks fairly x take more than your share or the last item
→ select appropriate food items to eat at work x eat in front of others if there is not enough to share

© Career and Employment Prep Business Etiquette and Social Skills Activity Packet
Name Date_______________ Period_____________

Employment and Career Readiness:

Business Etiquette and Social Skills Review

Multiple Choice Questions True or False

1. Ava needs to ask her co-worker, Nia, a question now. 1. It is appropriate to wear headphones
Nia is speaking with a client. Which should Ava say? while having a workplace conversation
a. “Nia, I have a question.” as long as the volume is off. ______
b. “Excuse me for interrupting. Can I ask you an 2. If you realize you have ketchup on your
urgent question, Nia?” face, remove it with the back of your hand. ______
c. “I need your help, sweetie.”
d. “Have a minute, Nia?” 3. Thank people for helping you, even if
the task was straightforward or part of
2. The name of John’s manager is Suhasini. John has their job description. ______
trouble remembering and pronouncing the name
correctly. Which is the best solution to this problem? 4. When interacting with people in the
a. Call his manager Sue. workplace, you do not want to appear
either too formal or too casual. ______
b. Call his manager ma’am.
c. Write down the correct pronunciation of the 5. If you realize you have spinach in your
name phonetically and practice saying it. teeth while at a restaurant, excuse yourself
d. Avoid speaking to his manager. and go to the restroom to remove it. ______

3. DeShawn works at Acme Paint Store. Which is the 6. If you jam the copy machine, do not say
best way for DeShawn to greet a customer? anything. The next person can try to fix it. ______
a. Make eye contact with the customer, smile, and
say, “Good morning. I am DeShawn. May I
help you today?” Short Answers
b. Nod at the customer and return to work. 1. Identify three examples of good meeting etiquette.
c. Say, “Let me know if you need anything.” ___________________________________________
d. Stand very close to the customer.
___________________________________________
4. Tara’s company is having its annual picnic on May
20th. The party organizer asks employees to RSVP ___________________________________________
by May 15th. What should Tara do?
a. Tara does not need to respond because she is ___________________________________________
not sure if she can attend.
b. Tara is an employee, so she can attend the 2. Identify at least five examples of good table manners.
picnic without responding to the organizer.
____________________________________________
c. Tara should respond by May 20th.
d. Tara should respond by May 15th. ____________________________________________
5. A potential client, Lana, hands Mateo her business _____________________________________________
card. Which should Mateo do?
a. Put the card immediately in his pocket. ___________________________________________
b. Return it, saying, “I have your phone number.”
____________________________________________
c. Accept it, thank her, and offer Lana his
business card if he has one.
____________________________________________
d. Ask her, “Can you just text me your info?”

© Career and Employment Prep Business Etiquette and Social Skills Activity Packet