Office Quiz: Working 9-5 — Etiquette Guide

You need to ask a co-worker a question and go to their cubicle, but, they're on the phone. You should:

grab a pen and paper from their desk and attempt to communicate with them that way.
come back later.
stand there quietly until they're finished.
just talk to them; they'll realize what you're asking is more important than their phone conversation.

Your boss wants you to give a presenation on your latest sales figures. You:

show up late and go over the time allocated.
you make sure your presentation runs for the exact time allocated.
you have a back up plan in case your computer freezes or something else goes wrong.
fill your slideshow with useless diagrams.

Which of the following is true in regards to office fridge etiquette?

Anything in the fridge is fair game.
You and your co-workers are responsible for keeping the fridge clean.
If you forget about your leftovers in the fridge, don't worry - someone will eventually throw them out.
Don't worry about "smell-proofing" your lunch. Who doesn't love the smell of liverwurst hitting them like a train when they open the fridge door?

Unfortunately, you need to fire one of your employees. What is something important to remember?

It's best to fire via email or phone call to save face.
The reason for the firing should be stated clearly.
Don't bother announcing the departure to the remaining staff. They'll hear it through the grapevine.
Do announce the departure to the remaining staff, and if it was related to poor performance, threaten those that are also poorly performing that the same can happen to them.

You have been exchanging googly eyes with the hot new guy in accounting. However, before you take the first step of seeing if he wants to meet up for a drink after work one day, what should you do?

Analyze his contact with everyone else in the office to make sure he's not already dating someone else there.
Find out your company's dating policy.
Go for it! Sure, he's got a reputation as being the office Romeo, but, you know you can tame him!
Transfer him to your area so he reports to you; that way, if things go well in the dating dept., you'll be together all the time!

What is the #1 rule in conversation etiquette?

You should never disagree.
You should never interrupt.
Never ask questions - it shows you don't know what everyone else is talking about.
Make sure you monopolize the conversation to keep the focus on what you need.

In an office setting, it's acceptable to yell from one cubicle to the next to get someone's attention. This statement is:

completely false.
partially true - you can yell to get their attention initially, but, then one person or the other should go to the other person's cubicle.
partially true - only if the person you are yelling to is in the cubicle right next to yours.
completely true.

Your cubicle is your own private space. As a result, you should:

be able to listen to music as loud as you like.
be able to eat foods with a strong odor in your cubicle.
be able to keep your cubicle as messy as you like.
none of the above.

Jane and Shawn have been dating for two years. They broke up Friday night after Shawn caught Jane with another man. Their relationship is done, but, they work together and have to see each other Monday morning. Shawn should:

tell everyone they work with what happened first thing in the morning so they are on his side.
quit his job.
tell his boss it's either him or Jane.
keep his personal and work life separate.

Your co-worker suggests an idea that you know will get shot down. You should:

laugh in their face and tell them it's a stupid idea.
nicely point out issues with their idea and help them come up with solutions.
smile noncommittally and walk away.
encourage them to take it to your boss. Them looking bad will just make you look that much better.