Little things create harmonious office

Employers may frown upon inappropriate dress and a workspace that looks like a rubbish tip.

Being habitually late, untidy or rude puts your work reputation at stake.

The person who is always late, the one who takes long lunches every day, the constant moaner - you'll probably find such people in most workplaces. And though the effects of these types of negative behaviour may seem trivial in the wider scheme of things, when they become habitual they can send a work reputation on a downwards spiral.

The "little things" can make all the difference when it comes to perceptions around workplace performance. You may reach your targets, have a great rapport with customers and get on well with colleagues, but if you are constantly late for meetings or have a workspace that looks like a rubbish tip, it's not likely to endear you to the powers that be.

David Lowe is the former general manager of advocacy and government relations for the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA). He agrees that such behaviour can create an unfavourable impression on employers.

"If there is a breakfast meeting employers need to be sure that everyone will turn up. The person who is unreliable needs to know that the people who will feel it first are their work colleagues; people who at another time you may wish to ask for help," he says.

Lowe acknowledges that flexibility can be useful in the work environment - but only as long as employees are there when it counts. "Sometimes flexibility is fine because of the time and place. But employers need to know that they can rely on people who work for them to do their jobs to the best of their ability."

Appropriate dress is another issue that may be contentious in the workplace. Lowe says it's important for people to know what is expected of them when it comes to their appearance at work.

"Dress is a sensitive issue as at times it can be perceived as inappropriate, but this can be a generational issue. Employers and employees need to be aware what is acceptable fashion and what is inappropriate," says Lowe.

He suggests that some rules should be developed around appropriate dress in the workplace, so everyone knows what is expected of them.

"Clear guidelines are a good way to deal with fashions that may not fit with the company image. Tattoos and piercings are topical, as are sports shoes; clear guides that are kept up to date keep the rules clear."

He gives the example of a worker in a customer-facing environment with multiple piercings. "This would give an image the business does not wish to present."

In this case the business could set some rules that apply to everyone, such as limiting what visible piercings can be worn at work.

Dealing with inappropriate or irritating workplace behaviour isn't easy for employers, but Lowe believes that's it's best to tackle issues sooner rather than later.

"The first time an employees' dress sense is inappropriate, raise it. It is entirely different if a culture has been allowed to develop which then is to be changed - that takes a bit more thought and effort in to how to address that."

He also suggests create "house rules" around issues to prevent individuals from feeling unfairly targeted.

It's not just the negative "little things" that can influence the work experience; small positive gestures can also make a big difference. Common courtesy can go a long way when it comes to fostering workplace harmony.

"Small courtesies, such as saying 'good morning' to colleagues, are very important. It is all about working well with others," says Lowe.

He also has some recommendations for small ways in which those who are new to the workforce can develop a favourable reputation.

"Be reliable and get on well with others. Take the conservative approach to things like dress and coarse language until you work out what is and is not okay in that workplace. Remember no two workplaces are the same. The best tip is to see if there is a place the staff usually have lunch or a tea break, go there for a while to get to know everyone and find out what makes the place tick."

He feels that simple steps like this can affect the way your boss will perceive you. "Overall, what an employer is looking for is someone who is reliable, takes pride in doing a good job and gets on with others."