Etiquette is defined as prescribed social behavior and manners. Etiquette outlines how you are expected to behave in a certain environment and most environments have some sort of etiquette, either formal or assumed. For example, if you go to a wedding or party, it is assumed that you will behave in a certain manner. If you buy a car, you must legally drive in a certain manner.

An acquaintance of mine recently asked me what I thought was appropriate behavior when using instant messaging. When I asked why he wanted to know, he informed for that he was putting together an instant messaging etiquette guide for his employees. It was his expectation that any employee in his company who wanted to use any form of instant messaging had to follow the etiquette guide that he was in the process of drafting.

I thought the idea of creating an instant messaging etiquette guide was great. When I saw his finished product I was thoroughly impressed. It clearly outlined for his employees how instant messenger was to be used in the office. After reading it an employee would have no questions as to what was deemed appropriate and inappropriate behavior. It also gave employees guidelines to follow to help them use the technology effectively.

I definitely think that all companies that allow the use of instant messenger should develop their own instant messaging etiquette guide. I found one available from the Microsoft Download Center called the Instant Messaging Etiquette Guide. You can use the guide as a starting point and customize it to meet the needs of your company. Hopefully it can help to eliminate any improper use of instant messenger in the workplace.