9 Office Etiquette Mistakes That Are Quietly Hurting Your Career
Erica Sweeney
August 28, 2025 at 11:19 PM
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Modern workplaces are nuanced. Some people work hybrid or remote schedules and communicate digitally, while others are back at the office full-time and collaborate in person. Regardless of how you work, you're part of a larger team and may need a refresher on communication like active listening, interacting with coworkers and other elements of office etiquette.
"Etiquette can be another word for respect, and teams run better when people feel seen and heard," says Casey Clark, vice president of academic operations at the Western Governors University School of Business. "It is not just about skipping the fish in the microwave anymore. It is about how we show up for each other in every interaction."
Last year, about 60% of employers said they were offering or planned to offer etiquette training for employees, according to a ResumeBuilder survey of more than 1,500 business leaders.
Avoiding etiquette faux pas is crucial, as "each one quietly erodes trust, focus, and respect" in the workplace, Clark says. So what are the biggest workplace etiquette mistakes? We asked experts for their tips for avoiding these blunders.
Dressing inappropriately
Sloppy T-shirts, bare midriffs, short skirts, and dirty garments aren't just inappropriate for the workplace; they show a lack of respect. "The way we dress communicates how we want to be treated," adds Lisa Richey, founder of the American Academy of Etiquette. Dress codes can vary by office, but appropriate professional clothing conveys confidence and competence, while inappropriate dress can indicate you don't take the workplace seriously.
Taking calls on speakerphone
Nobody wants to hear your phone call when they're trying to work. In shared spaces, using speakerphone instead of headphones distracts others and sends the message that you don't value your coworkers' time, Clark says. The same goes for blasting music without earbuds, adds Giota Gavala, media relations specialist at TalentLMS. Use headphones or book a meeting room for your call.
Lackluster communication
Being too informal in emails and other office communications is a common workplace etiquette issue, Richey says. Remember that you're in a professional setting, no matter how close you are to your coworkers or customers.
Don't forget to say good morning and make some small talk either, or you risk seeming unapproachable. Richey says that many employees need to work on their general conversation skills; beyond a basic greeting, company leaders feel the "back and forth is missing" when chatting with employees.
Being inconsiderate in meetings
Bad behavior during meetings shows a lack of respect for everybody else's time and effort to be there. This may include scheduling meetings without checking someone's availability or scrolling on your phone, says Clark. Showing up late, being unprepared, and cutting people off are other big etiquette mistakes, Gavala adds.
Even if it's a meeting you think you shouldn't have to sit through, you still need to arrive on time, listen attentively, and let everybody speak.
Forgetting to include coworkers
Collaboration is key in the workplace, and Gavala says keeping everyone in the loop on projects and decisions is vital. For example, if you bump into a colleague in the hallway and decide something important, be sure to share it in writing with everyone else who needs to know, including remote workers.
Not only is this important to keep everybody on the same page, but it can create bad feelings if a coworker is repeatedly excluded from the conversation.
Negative body language
You can express a lot without ever saying a word. Avoiding eye contact, staring at your phone, fidgeting, sighing, and scowling can send the message that you're not approachable and come off as rude.
Smiling, making eye contact and seeming interested in whomever you're interacting with does the opposite. Focusing on positive body language will make you "feel good from the inside" and display confidence and self-awareness, says Richey.
Chatting too much
You want to be friendly and engaged in the workplace, but make sure it doesn't cross the line into distracting your coworkers. Hovering by someone's desk or constantly chatting can cross the line from being social to making their workday harder. Everyone's days are busy, and, like you, they're trying to get as much done as they can. "Offices run better when people act like they're not the only ones in them," Clark says.
Leaving a mess
Leaving coffee mugs in the sink or a conference room in disarray after a meeting can send the message that you don't respect shared spaces, Clark says. It's crucial to clean up after yourself, and if you forget, apologize.
"'I totally hijacked that room; I'll clean it up' goes a long way," he says. "Most people do not need perfection; they just need to know you noticed the impact and cared enough to fix it."
Disrespecting others
Conflicts can arise in a workplace and coworkers can get on your nerves. But it's imperative to always demonstrate respect and appreciation and of course, to apologize if you step out of line.
Whether it's intentional or done out of frustration, never yell at or talk condescendingly to coworkers, put a team member down, or stereotype people in the office, says Eric Frazer, a forensic psychologist and author of The Psychology of Top Talent. It will damage relationships and ultimately cultivate a toxic work environment.