Etiquette courses for jobseekers

Social skills are very important at work and something probably all of us have thought about at some time – shaking hands, using the correct greeting or knowing what to say as small talk if you are stuck in the lift with boss.

A survey by Debretts, who has been teaching etiquette in the United Kingdom for more than 200 years and therefore presumably has a vested interest in the subject, found that school leavers and new graduates are lacking in this department and do now know how to ‘behave’ correctly.

Their major concern was people using their mobile phones during the day to send texts or see what their friends were up to as well as an inability to spell correctly. Debretts asked 58 senior executives for their opinions and 75% responded that being so used to communicating with other people via the internet or mobile phones had an impact on workers talking to other people, and this in turn affects their ability to form working relationships with work colleagues and clients.

Also highlighted were young employees coming in to work still feeling the effects of the night before or not dressed appropriately. Therefore, Debretts are now offering day and residential courses in order to teach people social skills at work. For those who are deadly serious about improving their communication and etiquette skills, the courses start at an eye-watering £1,000. Who said manners don’t cost anything?!


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