Since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for corporate etiquette courses has exploded, with companies looking to fill the gaps in their employees’ social and professional skills.
Daniel Post Senning, great-grandson of the renowned etiquette expert Emily Post and co-president of the Emily Post Institute, has been surprised by the increase in requests for the “Manners at Work” and “Business Etiquette for Professionals” masterclasses.
Employees, now accustomed to remote work, reveal difficulties in reintegrating into the office and responding to the social expectations of colleagues and superiors. In particular, younger workers, who grew up with an informal style, create friction with older generations and need guidance.
Senning explains that even those who are already experienced, such as managers and executives, are affected by the challenges of the new hybrid environment. Adapting to communication tools such as messaging, video, and calls is more complex than it seems, and the dynamics of virtual meetings are still a critical point. Many entrepreneurs have even sought help in establishing digital etiquette, especially after incidents like the mass layoff via Zoom carried out in 2021 by the company Better.com, which sparked heavy criticism.
Crystal Bailey, director of the Etiquette Institute of Washington, explains that even tech companies are investing in etiquette courses, particularly to help newly hired employees who are still inexperienced. In her courses, Bailey covers essential aspects such as interview etiquette and business dinners.
One of the constantly changing topics is the dress code, given the young people’s preference for casual clothing. According to a Gallup poll, a U.S. multinational analytics and consulting company, 70% of American workers today wear casual clothing in the office, while only 3% adopt a “professional” dress.
For young people, understanding corporate etiquette can be complex. Lisa Richey, founder of the American Academy of Etiquette, has observed that some of them constantly struggle with both verbal and non-verbal communication. Accustomed to brief messages, they often show difficulties with eye contact and basic conversation.
