Bring Your Manners To Work Day
September 4
About Bring Your Manners To Work Day
Bring Your Manners To Work Day takes place on the first Friday of September each year, falling on Friday, 4 September 2026. It is a workplace observance that encourages employees and employers to treat one another with courtesy and respect. The day was created by The Protocol School of Washington to counter a perceived decline in office etiquette.
What is Bring Your Manners To Work Day?
Bring Your Manners To Work Day is an annual reminder to bring politeness, professionalism, and consideration into the workplace. It was established by The Protocol School of Washington, a leading authority on business etiquette and protocol in the United States. The day is aimed at workers across every industry and seniority level, from new starters to senior managers, and it draws attention to the small courtesies that make a workplace more pleasant and productive. Rather than a formal event, it is a prompt for individuals and teams to reflect on how they behave towards colleagues, clients, and customers.
When is Bring Your Manners To Work Day?
Bring Your Manners To Work Day is observed on the first Friday of September every year. In 2026 it falls on Friday, 4 September. Because the date depends on which day September begins, it shifts slightly from year to year. The table below shows the dates for the next five years.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, 4 September |
| 2027 | Friday, 3 September |
| 2028 | Friday, 1 September |
| 2029 | Friday, 7 September |
| 2030 | Friday, 6 September |
Why Bring Your Manners To Work Day Matters
Good manners are not just pleasantries; they underpin trust, collaboration, and morale in any organisation. The Protocol School of Washington created the day partly in response to research showing that technology was eroding everyday courtesy. In one survey, 64% of chief information officers said the rules of the modern workplace were changing because of the increased use of phones, tablets, and other devices, a sharp rise from 51% just three years earlier. Workplace incivility has real costs: it lowers productivity, damages staff retention, and harms relationships with clients. A single day devoted to manners gives teams a moment to reset expectations and remind themselves that respect is a professional skill, not an optional extra. The themes overlap with National Cell Phone Courtesy Month, which tackles the same digital distractions from a different angle.
How to Get Involved in Bring Your Manners To Work Day
You do not need a budget or a formal programme to take part. Here are some simple ways to mark the day.
- Put your phone away – During meetings and conversations, keep your device out of sight. Giving colleagues your full attention is one of the most basic and appreciated courtesies.
- Say please and thank you – Make a conscious effort to acknowledge the help and effort of others, in person and in writing. Small words of gratitude go a long way.
- Greet people properly – Take a moment to say good morning, make eye contact, and use people’s names. A warm greeting sets the tone for the whole day.
- Mind your email tone – Re-read messages before sending and avoid curt or abrupt language. Adding a brief greeting and sign-off can transform how a message is received.
- Be punctual – Arriving on time for meetings respects other people’s schedules and signals that you value their time.
- Run an etiquette session – Managers can use the day to host a short workshop or team discussion about workplace courtesy, expectations, and shared standards.
- Tidy shared spaces – Clean up after yourself in the kitchen, meeting rooms, and communal areas. Consideration for shared spaces is a quiet but important form of respect.
History of Bring Your Manners To Work Day
Bring Your Manners To Work Day was established in 2013 by The Protocol School of Washington, an organisation widely regarded in the United States as a leading authority on business etiquette and protocol. The school had observed a growing erosion of everyday courtesy in professional settings and decided that a dedicated day might help reverse the trend.
The timing was deliberate. By the early 2010s, smartphones and tablets had become fixtures of working life, and with them came new habits that many people found discourteous: checking devices during meetings, taking calls mid-conversation, and prioritising screens over colleagues. The Protocol School of Washington argued that these behaviours were quietly undermining respect and professionalism, and that a cultural correction was needed.
Since its launch, the day has been adopted by businesses, etiquette consultants, and human resources teams as a light-touch way to open conversations about workplace conduct. It has remained anchored to the first Friday of September, a point in the calendar when many organisations are returning to full strength after the summer and beginning to plan for the busy final quarter of the year.
Noteworthy Facts About Bring Your Manners To Work Day
- The day was founded in 2013 by The Protocol School of Washington.
- It always falls on the first Friday of September, so the date changes each year.
- It was created in direct response to concerns about mobile devices distracting people from workplace courtesy.
- A survey cited at the day’s founding found 64% of chief information officers believed workplace etiquette rules were changing because of technology, up from 51% three years earlier.
- The Protocol School of Washington specialises in business etiquette, international protocol, and professional image training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bring Your Manners To Work Day?
It is an annual observance encouraging courtesy, respect, and professionalism in the workplace. It was created by The Protocol School of Washington to counter a decline in office etiquette.
When is Bring Your Manners To Work Day in 2026?
It takes place on Friday, 4 September 2026, the first Friday of the month.
Who founded Bring Your Manners To Work Day?
The Protocol School of Washington established the day in 2013, partly in response to the impact of mobile devices on workplace courtesy.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing Bring Your Manners To Work Day with your colleagues and team. Use the hashtags #BringYourMannersToWorkDay and #BringYourMannersToWorkDay2026 on social media. The more people who take part, the more pleasant and productive workplaces become.
Related Awareness Days
- National Cell Phone Courtesy Month – Tackles the digital distractions that prompted Bring Your Manners To Work Day in the first place.
- National Africa Civility Day – Promotes respect and civility in everyday life and work, also observed in September.
- Cranky Co-Workers Day – A lighter look at workplace moods and the value of patience with colleagues.
Links
Featured image: Photo by Mina Rad on Unsplash.
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