Consequences of remote work: Companies will start offering etiquette classes

After years of working from home, in their pajamas and without the company of their colleagues during the pandemic, employees seem to have forgotten how to function in an office environment.

That, at least, is what companies are saying, as they’re imposing the onus on their workers to return to the office, but they realize they’re not quite ready. Apparently, a significant portion of workers look at their colleagues awkwardly and continue to dress as if they work from a couch.

As a result, more than 60% of US companies will enlist the help of etiquette training companies to teach their employees how to dress appropriately for the office, interact with customers and respect shared spaces by 2024, the survey found. Resume Builder To over 1,500 leaders.

Maintaining polite conversation tops the list of lessons requested by bosses, followed by dressing professionally and writing professional emails.

According to Resume Builder, how to take proper meal breaks and how to make proper eye contact are also on the agenda. “There’s a lot of miscommunication in the office about what’s appropriate, so putting a plan in place and implementing it will get everyone on the same page,” explained one respondent.

“There were growing complaints about a hostile work environment and complaints from customers about the behavior of some employees,” adds another.

So far, so good: The survey found that two-thirds of companies that have already taught etiquette classes say they’ve been “very” successful.

Although many of the skills taught seem like common sense, it seems that standards have dropped since the pandemic. It is understandable that Generation Z — who missed out on valuable in-person work experience during the pandemic — may struggle with the shift from virtual to hybrid work.

Take the world’s four largest consulting firms as an example. Deloitte, PwC, KPMG And hey They are providing soft skills training to new employees, including lessons on how to speak up in meetings.

In addition, Alex MahonHead of one of the major British television channels, Channel 4complained that the younger generation entering the job market lacked the necessary skills to discuss, disagree or work with people with different opinions.

That is why universities are also taking a step forward to close the soft skills gap between their students and the general workforce. This Michigan State University Prepares its graduates for the job market with lessons on how to maintain communication within a network of contacts. Meanwhile, in Japan, students are taught to smile again after getting used to hiding behind face masks.

However, when the Generation Z Often criticized for not knowing how to behave in a professional environment, only 10% of those planning to offer classes say training would be specifically needed. Generation Z and recent graduates, according to the survey Resume Builder.

Interestingly, 60% will require training for all employees, including workers Baby Boomer who had accumulated decades of experience in the office before the pandemic.

“Initially, we implemented a training program as part of the onboarding process for all new employees,” he explained. Resume Builder Young PhamCo-founder of a new marketing and e-commerce platform Bizreport.

“We quickly realized, however, that office etiquette training is beneficial to all employees, regardless of their experience level or position. As a result, we expanded the program to include all employees, allowing us to reinforce our company values ​​and foster a collaborative work environment.” Allowed for,” he added.

Although in many ways workers are being asked to return to work as it was before – at desks in the office for some time – the office is not what it used to be. So even old dogs will have to learn new tricks and adapt to “new ways of interacting” in the new hybrid world of work, Pham concluded.