(A) The town strives to maintain a positive work environment where employees treat each other with respect and courtesy. Sometimes issues arise when employees are unaware that their behavior in the workplace may be disruptive or annoying to others. Many of these day-to-day issues may be addressed by politely talking with a coworker to bring the perceived problem to his or her attention. In most cases, common sense will dictate an appropriate resolution. The town encourages all employees to keep an open mind and graciously accept constructive feedback or a request to change behavior that may be affecting another employee’s ability to concentrate and be productive.
(B) The following workplace etiquette guidelines are not necessarily intended to be hard and fast work rules with disciplinary consequences. They are simply suggestions for appropriate workplace behavior to help everyone be more conscientious and considerate of coworkers and the work environment. Employees should:
(1) Return copy machine and printer settings to their default settings after changing them.
(2) Replace paper in the copy machine and printer paper trays when they are empty.
(3) Retrieve print jobs in a timely manner and be sure to collect all pages.
(4) Be prompt when using the manual feed on the printer.
(5) Keep the area around the copy machine and printers orderly and picked-up.
(6) Be careful not to take or discard others’ print jobs or faxes.
(7) Avoid public accusations or criticisms of others in the workplace. Address such issues privately with those involved or a department head, the Town Manager, or the Clerk-Treasurer.
(8) Try to minimize unscheduled interruptions of other employees while they are working.
(9) Communicate by email or phone whenever possible, instead of walking unexpectedly into someone’s office or workspace.
(10) Be conscious of how voices travel, and try to lower the volume when talking on the phone or to others in open areas.
(11) Keep socializing to a minimum, and try to conduct conversations in areas where the noise will not be distracting to others.
(12) Minimize talking between workspaces or over cubicle walls. Instead, conduct conversations with others in their workspace.
(13) Try not to block walkways while carrying on conversations.
(14) Refrain from using inappropriate language (swearing) that others may overhear.
(15) Avoid discussions of personal lives/issues in public conversations that may be easily overheard.
(16) Monitor the volume when listening to music, voice mail, or a speakerphone that others may hear.
(17) Clean up after and do not leave behind waste or discarded papers.
(18) Keep all desks and work areas neat and orderly.
(19) Thoroughly clean up after utilizing break and kitchen areas.
(C) Employees should contact a department head, the Clerk-Treasurer, or the Town Manager if they have comments, concerns, or suggestions regarding these workplace etiquette guidelines. Nothing in this policy shall be interpreted to prohibit or otherwise restrict concerted activities by employees that are protected by law.
(Ord. 2020-26, passed 1-12-21)