Introduction

Despite the previous assumption that decorum is common sense, developing specific rules and expectations
surrounding it is the best way in which a company can ensure that employees understand how they are to act in
an office setting. In like manner, schools have handbooks that must be followed by the students. It is also ideal
to incorporate some training when it comes to decorum so that employees are more prepared for proper work
behavior and for students to have better manners at school.

Like manners, decorum is something that differs from office to office and school to school, but still it is
essential for you to comprehend its fundamentals to help things run a bit smoother. Even if you know what
decorum is, in an office setting or in school, it is a little different when it comes to expectations. You need to be
informed on what you should or should not do in the workplace or in school and you’ll find its benefits many and
valuable.

School and workplace decorum just like discipline is not control from the outside; it’s order from within.
This topic will help you establish and maintain proper decorum in school and in the work place that you will find
very essential as business students. Practical suggestions and guidelines are given such as rules of decorum, vital
business etiquette rules among many others. As Mason Cooley, an American aphorist mentioned, “Observe
decorum, and it will open a path to morality.”

Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the chapter, students shall have been able to

1. Define and characterize school and workplace decorum;

2. Identify various upright guidelines and tips on decorum;
3. Apply in life upright guidelines and tips on decorum

Activating Prior Knowledge

Associate your experience to the given quotes below:

A man who understands decorum and the courtesies is a great treasure; I hope to train and send into society as
many such men as I can.
Mas Oyama

The home is not the one tame place in the world of adventure. It is the one wild place in the world of rules and
set tasks.
Gilbert K. Chesterton

You have to adhere to a certain morality, a certain level of decorum,

or else you'll be punished and labeled.
 Margaret Cho

Politeness requires this thing; decorum that; ceremony has its forms, and fashion its laws, and these must always
follow,
never the promptings of our own nature.
Henri Rousseau

Any girl that's in a professional setting has to have a certain amount of decorum, but there's always a different
story going on,
when she goes home.
Stana Katic

SCHOOL DECORUM

Learning Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:

A. Define and characterize school decorum;

B. Explain rules of decorum in school;
C. Display exemplary conduct before school officials and faculty of the university

Presentation of Contents

Decorum Defined:

Decorum means proper and polite behavior. The corresponding adjective is decorous, meaning "well-behaved in
a particular situation." Both decorum and decorous are often used to describe behavior in a classroom or
courtroom.

Rules of Decorum in School

1. If you are tired when you come to class, there is no

need for you to announce this to your peers. If you
have stayed up late studying, do not boast of how
hard you have worked. Do not demand
sympathy from others, or from your teachers, just
because you are tired. Your friends are tired, too, as
are your teachers, many of whom have children to
care for. Loudly announcing that you are tired as you
 come into class is often a way of suggesting to the teacher, "Don't bother me today," and a way of
suggesting to your peers, "You will have to carry the conversation today. "As Christ instructs those who fast,
if you are tired when it is time for class, splash a little water on your face and put on a cheerful expression
“so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting (from sleep), but only to your Father, who is
unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

2. A school is a place for learning. A book is a thing for learning. A student is a person for learning. Additionally,
there are attitudes for learning and postures for learning. While in class, sit up straight and keep your feet
on the floor. Do not put your head on the table or prop your feet up on the chairs. Treat your body as the
outward, physical manifestation of your soul. If you conduct your body with dignity and respect, your soul
will likely follow soon enough.

3. If you cannot remember what you read for homework just two nights ago, you have not done your
homework. You should be able to answer simple questions about what you’ve read. If you are asked about
an assigned text, the reply, “I read it really late last night and I don’t remember it” is not an acceptable
excuse. It is an indication you have not done your work. Read slowly and patiently so that you are able to
discuss assigned reading in class whenever the time comes.

4. The humanities are not graded the way math and science are graded. For example, if you take a math
examination composed of ten problems and you answer seven correctly, you would expect a 70%. However,
if you are assigned a 1000-word essay and only write 700 words, you should not expect a 70%. You have
failed to complete the minimum requirements and may receive a 0% grade; you may or may not be invited
to resubmit the paper. Think of it like this, though. If you went to a restaurant and ordered a 10 oz steak
which cost $10, and then received a 2 oz steak, you would send it back. You would not pay $2, eat it and
leave.

6. If you are assigned reading for homework and do not do that reading, you need to inform your teacher of
that fact before class begins. The same goes for homework. If I am collecting homework and you do not
have any to turn in, tell me; if you do not tell me at the time, I am collecting homework, I will not accept it
later.

7. Speak of this school with respect. If you have a grievance with any decision made by a teacher, the staff or
the board, those grievances should be addressed privately to a teacher or to the principal, who will be glad
to sit down with you and hear out your complaint. Speaking critically of the school to your
peers, especially on school grounds, is inappropriate and disrespectful. This means that all complaints about
the dress code, assemblies, homework load, grades, teachers and so forth must be directed to a teacher or
the administration. Ours is a God who takes complaints seriously, but you must direct your complaints to
someone who can do something about them. Your peers can do nothing about the dress code. The
principal can, though.

8. Learning to be a good student in high school is preparation for being a good student in college, and being a
good employee when you are older. Having good manners is essential for being a good student. As such,
you should not be seen yawning in class, or turning your head to look at the clock. If you must yawn, cover
your mouth and do it discreetly. If you are fastidious about knowing what time it is, wear a watch and check
it covertly. Yawning and looking at the clocks are signs of boredom, even if you are not bored. While I will
be understanding if I see you yawn or check the clock, your employers and college profs might not be.

9. If you talk in class, you must contribute to a group conversation. Private conversations with people beside you
and across the table are not polite. “Private conversations” are not limited to spoken words. Silently mouthed
conversations and hand gestures back and forth are just as distracting to your classmates as spoken
conversations.
11. If you believe a grade you have received is unfair, please come and speak with me after class. Present your
case. I am a reasonable person, but from time to time I will misunderstand your essays. When this happens,
come and explain yourself and I will reconsider your grade. When you present your case, your case should
stand on the merits of your own work; do not compare your work with the work of a classmate who scored
better and allege your work and your classmate’s work are essentially identical.

12. When you struggle with the material, talk with me. Do not wait until the end of the semester and say, “Well,
I’ve had a very hard time understanding this class.” You are obligated to bring such concerns to me as they
occur, not merely when you are getting nervous about your grade.

13. Do not begin packing up your things until you have

been dismissed. There should be no rustling of papers
and backpacks in the final moments of class while a
lecture is going on, or reading is going on, or discussion
is going on. Students who begin getting ready to go
before class is over will stay for an extra minute or two
after class.

14. If you are not present for a test or quiz, you will
receive a 0 for that test or quiz until you make it up. It is
not the teacher’s responsibility to track you down to take
a test or quiz. Rather, it is your responsibility to track the
teacher down and arrange a time you can take the test
or quiz you missed. You will need to be vigilant to track
the teacher down to take tests or quizzes.

15. Enter class silently. Once you are in the classroom, class has begun. Silence helps prepare the mind to yield,
to receive, to concentrate.

17. Respect must be shown to the task and work of education. Conduct yourself with dignity and speak of
learning as a worthy goal. Do not disrespect the work of education by parading your disinterest in learning
before your peers. If you waste your entire weekend playing video games, do not make light of this on
Monday morning. Do not make sport of God by speaking of shameful, vicious, and slothful things as though
they are enviable and good.

18. Do not ask, “How can I get a better grade in your class?” The answer to this question will always be, “Do
better.” Ask instead, “How can I do better in your class?” In like fashion, do not say, “I am worried about my
grade in your class.” Say instead, “I am worried that I am not learning enough in this class.”

Teacher’s Note to Students:

1. Talking to you is part of our job . Students sometimes worry that showing up to office hours or sending an
email is irritating to a professor. Remember, communicating with students is part of our job! It also helps us
teach better. All students are different — some of them grasp material better during a one-on-one office-hours
meeting. Some of them learn better via an email conversation. When students articulate what helps them learn
best, professors are more effective, and the class is a better experience for everyone. We have email and office
hours for a reason — don’t be hesitant or apologetic for using them!
2. Keep each professor's communication preferences in mind the first time you reach out. Most
professors write on the syllabus and/or state in class their preference for how students get in touch with them.
Office hours are always a safe bet, especially if you have a question that will take some time to discuss or if you
want to get to know your professor better. Most professors are happy to receive emails, as well, though my
 policy is if I can’t answer your question in roughly five minutes, it’s better to talk during office hours. If you’re
not sure, just ask your professor whether email is OK for asking a question. Most professors don’t want phone
calls, and we certainly don’t want text messages.
3. We’re not mind readers. A few years ago, one of my students wrote in his end-of-the-semester self-reflection
essay: “I have a very introverted personality along with severe social anxiety that does not allow me to ask
questions publicly, so I got very little from class periods. Couple this with office hours that conflicted with my
schedule, and I was left with almost nowhere to look to for help.”
4. Don’t suffer in silence. After you realize your professor isn’t a mind reader, the next step is to ask for help.
This is really difficult for some students, perhaps because they want to seem like they’ve got everything under
control. The vast majority of the time, problems can be resolved quickly and easily if the student speaks up.
5. Be proactive. Don’t wait until the night before a paper is due to email your professor with questions. If you get
a difficult assignment, ask questions as soon as you can. This will save you time and trouble down the road. If
you know weeks in advance that you have three finals on the same day that your final paper is due, ask for an
extension right away. Professors rarely grant extensions right before a deadline, unless there’s an extenuating
circumstance. Asking early demonstrates foresight and shows that you haven’t slacked off or procrastinated. The
same goes for absences. If you know you’ll need to miss a class or two, email your professors ahead of time to
tell them and to ask about how you can make up the material.
6. Communicate about anything that may affect your performance in the class .There are many
obstacles that may arise during the semester — difficulties with classes, too many extracurricular activities, too
many shifts at work, homesickness, trouble making friends (or problems resulting from having too many
friends!), a new environment and roommates, illness, stress … the list goes on and on. Sometimes, students
think that if their problem isn’t academic in nature, they shouldn’t tell their professors. But students should tell
their professors if something — anything — is going to negatively affect their classwork.
7. Use proper etiquette and grammar. Most students are polite in office hours, but etiquette goes out the
window over email. I’ve gotten emails from students that simply say, “What did we do in class today? Let me
know.” You can get in your professor’s (and later, your employer’s) good graces by politely and appropriately
writing to that person.
8. Don’t ask questions if you can easily find the answers . As much as I encourage students to ask
questions, I inevitably get at least a dozen emails each semester asking me when my office hours are. This isn’t
a content question — it’s basic information. So basic, in fact, that it’s on the first page of my syllabus. It’s also
posted online. Don’t ask professors about something they’ve already told you the answer to, especially if that
means you obviously haven’t read the syllabus (a document that professors pour a lot of energy into). Similarly,
check assignment instructions before asking a question about a paper or project that is due; the answer you’re
looking for may already be in your possession.
9. Accept responsibility. Ultimately, you’re the one in charge of your education. Students often shift the burden
onto their professors, whether they realize it or not. I get lots of emails that say, “Please look over my
introduction and get back to me with comments as soon as you can.”

Transacting Business to College and Campus Officials

Introduce Yourself

Using office hours to introduce yourself to a college and campus officials at the beginning of the semester can be a
great way to discuss your concerns, especially as they might relate to school matters. While it’s good for your college
and campus officials to get to know you, make sure you’re using both of your time effectively to also discuss matters
you want to deal with.

Come Prepared with Specific Questions or Concepts to Review

Office hours aren’t a time when college and campus officials will complete your work for you. Rather, you should
arrive to office hours with questions prepared, and you should make sure you’ve thoroughly attempted to complete
an assignment or review a concept before the meeting. During office hours, expect college and campus officials to
ask you questions about your concerns. This will allow them to gauge what information you understand and where
you can improve.

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

You should go to office hours sooner rather than later. If you wait too long into the semester to meet with the
officials, you may start to feel overwhelmed and possibly confused about your concerns; your questions will start to
build up. Speak with the officials as soon as possible so that you’re not scrambling to understand your concerns at
the last minute.

Be Ready to Take Notes

The officials will likely give you information and advice, so bring a notebook and a pen and be ready to write. It’s up
to you to absorb the material you take away from your meeting. The officials might also recommend study strategies
to guide you in your future academics, so take note of those as well.

Bring Any Relevant Course Material

If you have a question about an exam, bring the test with you to the office hours, and mark down the questions
you’re having trouble with. The same goes for any assignment you need help with. Learning takes effort on the part
of both the student and the professor, so it’s vital that you come prepared.

WORKPLACE DECORUM

Learning Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:

A. Define and characterize work etiquette;

B. Describe rules of decorum in workplace;
C. Explain business etiquette rules;
D. Recognize the effects of no etiquette in the workplace

Presentation of Contents

What is Work Etiquette?

Work etiquette is a code that governs the expectations of social behavior in

a workplace. This code is put in place to "respect and protect time, people,
and processes." There is no universal agreement about a standard work
etiquette, which may vary from one environment to another. Work
etiquette includes a wide range of aspects such as body language, good
behavior, appropriate use of technology, etc. Part of office etiquette is working well with others and
communicating effectively.

Work etiquette is simply defined as basic manners in the world of business. It is important because it cuts down
on stress and conflict between coworkers, which ultimately affects the company’s success.

5 Workplace Etiquette Tips Every Professional Should Know

Make a Good First Impression

People often form impressions about others within seconds of meeting them, so it’s important to ensure you
present yourself as a professional. Be aware of your body language and how others may perceive it. A good rule
of thumb is to stand straight, maintain eye contact, and smile! Make sure you know the workplace dress code
and office policies ahead of time. Arrive on-time and be prepared for important meetings.

Avoid Gossip

How you treat people says a lot about you. Don’t make value judgments on people’s importance in the workplace
or speak negatively about your coworkers, even if you find yourself frustrated over a certain situation. Be
thoughtful about how you interact with your supervisor(s), peers, and subordinates as well.

Communication is Key
Communication is an important part of workplace etiquette. It’s sometimes not what you say, but how you say it
that counts so be mindful of how you communicate with your colleagues in meetings and one-on-one
conversations. In regards to email, be sure your correspondence inside and outside of your workplace is written
clearly and free of spelling errors. Remember, email is a permanent record of any conversation so never put
anything in writing that you would say to someone’s face.

Understand your Work Environment

The values, policies, and procedures of a workplace can

be difficult to discern at first. If you are in a larger
organization with a structured human resource division,
you may have access to an HR Manager or in-house
trainings to keep you informed of your organization’s
expectations. In a smaller workplace setting, some of
that knowledge may come from observing others
and asking questions of your colleagues when needed.
Lastly, observing the atmosphere and actions of others
can help you understand what’s appropriate and
what’s not, and how to best navigate the workplace while maintaining your professionalism.

As the global market grows, the need to understand multiple international standards of business etiquette is also
growing. If you take a job or internship in another country, be to research the proper etiquette, culture and
customs for both that country and the organization you plan to work for.

Be Personable Yet Professional

Sharing information about your personal life is your choice, but be cautious when it comes to what you share;
some colleagues may be more open than others and might choose to keep their personal life private as well.
Similarly, you may want to limit personal calls, emails, and other non-work-related tasks to after work hours.
Within your workspace, it’s okay to add personal touches but remember that your colleagues will see the space
and consider it a reflection of your professional self. Lastly, getting to you know colleagues is a good thing but
always be respectful of others’ space. If you need to discuss something with them, don’t just walk in; knock or
make your presence known, and always offer to schedule a meeting for later in the day if they are busy in the
moment.
15 Vital Business Etiquette Rules

1. When in doubt, introduce others. Always introduce people to others whenever the opportunity arises,
unless you know that they’re already acquainted. It makes people feel valued, regardless of their status
or position.
2. A handshake is still the professional standard . Not only does this simple gesture demonstrate that you’re
polite, confident and approachable, it also sets the tone for any potential future professional relationship.
In a very casual work atmosphere, you might be able to get away with a nod or a hello, but it’s worth it
to make the extra effort to offer your hand.
3. Always say “Please” and “Thank you .” This should go without saying, but even in a very casual
professional atmosphere, this basic form of courtesy is still imperative. Today, sending a thank you e-mail
is perfectly acceptable, but a handwritten thank you note is always a nice touch.
4. Don’t interrupt. We’ve become a nation of “over-talkers,” so eager to offer our own opinions or press our
point that we often interrupt others mid-sentence. It can be tongue-bitingly difficult to force ourselves
not to interject, especially when the discussion is heated. Don’t. It’s rude and shows disrespect for the
opinions of others. Remember, be assertive, not aggressive.
5. Watch your language. Verbal and written communications are often much less formal than in times past,
but be careful to choose your words wisely. Of course, derogatory, rude or offensive language is
unacceptable, but so is slang. While it may be commonplace in our society, it’s never acceptable in a
professional atmosphere.
6. Double check before you hit send . While we’re on the subject of communication, always check your e-
mails for spelling and grammar errors. Since the advent
of spell check, there is no excuse for typos. Also, do a
quick read to make sure the meaning and tone are what
you wish to convey. And no smileys, please.
7. Don’t walk into someone’s
or say hello if it’s open and ask if it’s a good time to talk.
If the discussion is going to take more than a few
minutes, it’s a good idea to call or e-mail and schedule a
good time for both of you.
8. Don’t gossip. It’s so
never harmless. It is most certainly damaging to the
subject of the gossip, but it also reflects poorly on you. It’s natural to be curious and interested in what
other people are doing, but talking about someone who is not present is disrespectful.
9. Don’t eavesdrop. Everyone is entitled to private conversations, in person or over the phone. The same
goes for e-mail; don’t stand over someone’s shoulder and read their e-mails.
10. Acknowledge others. When someone approaches you, acknowledge him or her. If you’re in the middle of
something important, it’s fine to ask them to wait a minute while you finish. If you pass someone in the
hallway or on the street, but don’t have time to talk, at least wave a hand and say hello. Busyness is not
an excuse to ignore people.
11. Avoid the “Big Two.” We have blurred many of the personal and professional lines, but politics and
religion are still off-limits. These topics are highly charged minefields for a professional atmosphere.
Leave them at the office door.
12. Be on time. We’re all busy. Being punctual shows others that you value their time. Being late doesn’t
mean that you’re busier than other people; it just means that you’re inconsiderate.
13. No phone during meetings. When you’re in a meeting, focus on the meeting discussion. Don’t take calls,
text or check e-mail. It’s disrespectful to the other attendees, not to mention, extremely annoying. It also
makes meetings last longer because the participants keep losing focus.
 14. Don’t be a business card pusher. Don’t simply hand out business cards to everyone you meet. It’s a bit
aggressive unless you’re on a sales call. Ask for the other person’s card, offer to exchange cards or at the
very least, ask if you can leave your card before you reach in your pocket.
15. Show genuine interest. Keep eye contact and make an effort to truly listen to what others are saying. We
are so easily distracted in this climate of increasingly short attention spans; we often can’t wait for the
other person to hurry up and finish so we can move on to the next thing. Resist the lure of distraction
and haste. Take the time to ask questions and show an interest in the other person’s thoughts.

Effects of NO Etiquette

Bad manners in the work environment can lead to a variety of struggles and problems. Although these issues
might be small or pass in time, it is important to identify the effects of a coworker lacking etiquette. When we can
identify the problem, we are better able to determine a solution.

One of the most obvious issues with a lack of manners in the workplace is anger or irritation. When a coworker is
rude or ignores general rules of social etiquette, we might find ourselves with a sour attitude. If the behavior is
affecting more than just your work, but also other coworkers, it may be apparent that the behavior needs to be
addressed. While ignoring the problem and moving on with your day might be appropriate for issues that bother
no one else, upsetting the entirety of the office is not a good work environment.

Taking action against coworkers that lack office manners is the only way to get the behavior to stop. The action
taken should not be condescending or rude, as that will make the situation more uncomfortable. Rather, be kind
and understanding toward the person committing the offense. Adults should have the capacity to discuss their
differences in a professional manner.

Another side effect of bad manners in the workplace is stress. Stress causes a number of health concerns and can
alter the course of a work day or performance. By combating stress in other ways, like letting in natural light,
drinking enough water, and getting plenty of sleep, it may be easier to deal with the issue at hand. If these
natural remedies make no improvements on your overall stress level, organize a short training session or meeting
on office etiquette and its effect on stress.

Detrimental effects on the company as a whole can stem from just one employee with no etiquette. Strained
relationships in an office setting can diminish productivity and develop a negative image. This is why addressing
the matter at hand is imperative. When a talk with the person in question makes no change, nor does a
company-wide informational meeting, it may be time to remind the person time and time again - while being
realistic about the change. Remember, this person has likely made the issue a habit. Breaking that habit may take
some time.

If an employee is unable (or unwilling) to make a change, it may be necessary to take disciplinary action. While
the severity of the punishment depends on the specific behavior, it is important to make a change before the bad
habit causes irreparable damage. It may seem extreme that a lack of polite behavior can cause such damages,
but a toxic environment can cause hard feelings over time.

Office etiquette is, in its most basic terms, the basic understanding of workplace manners. It is an important part
of the business office because of its impact on relationships within the company. Defining behavioral expectations
is imperative in preventing issues before they start. If problems do arise and become bothersome to coworkers,
discussing change is key to improving. Without behavioral change, a business can suffer in the long run.
 Application

Directions: Answer briefly but completely. Provide your answers on the space provided. If warranted
by circumstances, students may submit it in any online platform.

1. Give your insight about teacher’s note to students:

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2. Discuss the five tips in transacting business to College and Campus Officials
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Feedback

Comments/Suggestions/Observations:
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 Application

Discussion Questions:
1. What is office etiquette and why is it important?
2. If you think it is unprofessional when one does not shake hands with a business client or
customer in this time of pandemic. Suggest a better gesture for the client to feel important.

Feedback

Group Work

Give the difference between a work place with workers applying proper office decorum to a work place
with workers having unacceptable office decorum using a Venn diagram.

References:

Ferrer, Oliver G., MSCrim., Taguba, Daryl Don P. Ph.D. et.al., Module in Euthenics, CSU, Aparri Campus, Cagayan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_etiquette

https://www.circeinstitute.org/blog/rules-decorum

https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/business/trends-and-insights/articles/15-vital-business-etiquette-rules/

https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/decorum.html?p=3