The HR deportment
Reckon you're a polished performer? Take our test to see if your HR manners match up to those prescribed by Debrett'sIf proof were still needed that the youth of today are nothing more than a bunch of ignorant, phubbing sofa monkeys, we have it with the news that Debrett’s is offering ‘employability’ training sessions to the under thirties.
As reported in this fine article in the Telegraph, Debrett’s conducted research in which 77% of business executives thought social skills were worse than twenty years ago, whilst 65% believed the web had adversely affected young people’s ability to conduct face-to-face relationships.
Hence the latest Debrett’s initiative: courses at a town-house in Mayfair, in which droopy-trousered yoofs are improved via sessions in ‘netiquette’, presentation, the British social season and even deportment. (On stairs, apparently, one should angle one’s feet inwards.)
Which is all very well – but what if the newly refined generation starts making us look bad? With that question in mind, we compiled a handy quiz concerning etiquette in the workplace, as defined by Debrett’s online guide.
1. You’ve just introduced yourself to an interviewee in reception. How long do you shake their hands?
a) Just one pump
b) A modest two or three pumps
c) A quick, enthusiastic set of four or five pumps
2. The interviewee says, ‘How do you do.’ What’s the best response?
a) ‘How do you do.’
b) ‘Very well, thank you.’
c) ‘I’m fine. How are you?’
3. You’re managing a team of colleagues who don’t know each other. When you introduce them to one another, do you:
a) Introduce the men to the women?
b) Introduce the women to the men?
c) Introduce the senior staff to the junior staff?
4. You’re delivering assessment centres in a city far from home, and staying alone in a hotel. What should you do for dinner?
a) Order room service. It’s humiliating to be seen dining by yourself in public
b) Take a book down to the restaurant and brave out a solo meal
c) Introduce yourself to a fellow resident at the bar, and ask them to join you for dinner
5. You’re going to a talent management conference in Europe with three colleagues. What should you do as part of your preparation?
a) Make sure that you have three seats together on the aeroplane. It’ll be a good opportunity to share objectives for the conference
b) If you’re senior, ensure that you travel in a superior class. Management distance is extremely important, after all
c) Do your utmost not to travel with your colleagues
6. You’re in a boring workforce planning meeting. The temptation is to cross your legs and tap your feet. But should you?
a) Yes. That’s what people do when they’re restless.
b) Perhaps, providing I’m not distracting the person running the meeting.
c) No. Foot-tapping is something you must never do
7. It’s the end of a long day, and you and your colleagues are in the local wine bar. Which subjects should you not discuss?
a) Money
b) Illness
c) Death
How did you do?
Remember, if you don’t like these answers, don’t blame us.
- B) Just a modest amount, and always use your right hand.
- A) It’s not a question. It’s a salutation.
- A) There’s a hierarchy. Men must always be introduced to women, and juniors to seniors.
- B) ‘Don’t be afraid to dine alone in the hotel restaurant – but always look purposeful, absorbed and unself-conscious about your solitude. A book is a crucial accessory. Don’t be tempted to hide away and get room service – do you really want to sleep in the same room as you ate your dinner in?’
- C) Do everything you can to avoid compromising situations. ‘Just because you’ve seen your boss in all their flabby glory around the pool, draped over an umbrella-ed cocktail, shouldn’t alter your behaviour or respect towards them.’
- C) Women should feet on the floor with ankles crossed, whilst men ‘should never tap their feet or repeatedly jiggle their leg up and down’.
- All of them. Also: ‘Avoid strong opinion or stark honesty; occasional frisson is interesting, but controversial views may offend.’
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