{{Short description|Standards expected in a workplace}} {{Distinguish|Professionalization}}'''Professionalism''' is a set of standards that an individual is expected to adhere to in a workplace, usually in order to appear serious, uniform, or respectful. What constitutes professionalism is often debated and varies from workplace to workplace and between cultures. Professionalism is typically defined as a mix of professional ethics, appropriate behavior, and dress code. thumb|Professional attire advertisement (1930)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mar 20, 1930, page 7 - The High Point Enterprise at Newspapers.com™ |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1282664921/?match=1 |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en-US}}</ref>|354x354px
== Definition == Common traits of a "professional" person include:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Professionalism|url=https://career.vt.edu/content/career_vt_edu/en/develop/professionalism.html|access-date=2023-07-21|website=Virginia Tech|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Professionalism |url=https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/odep/topics/youth/softskills/professionalism.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929204000/https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/odep/topics/youth/softskills/professionalism.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 29, 2020|website=U.S. Department of Labor}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=15 Characteristics of Professionals|author=Jennifer Herrity|url=https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/professional-characteristics|website=Indeed.com}}</ref>
* integrity * punctuality * reliability * organization skills * emotional intelligence * appropriate dress Expectations of professionalism are often unsaid or unwritten. Trainings and clear communication can help young people entering the workforce avoid "unprofessional" behavior.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Korn |first=Julia |title=Gen Z Isn’t Unprofessional—They’re Untrained: Lessons From Erin McGoff |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/juliakorn/2026/04/08/gen-z-isnt-unprofessional-theyre-untrained-lessons-from-erin-mcgoff/ |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
A business's professional standards affect its reputation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Balle |first=Louise |date=2010-08-04 |title=Professionalism Standards |url=https://smallbusiness.chron.com/professionalism-standards-2906.html |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=Chron - Small Business |language=en}}</ref>
=== Cultural differences === Cultural expectations of professionalism differ around the world. In Japan, humility is valued as a professional trait. In the Middle East, hospitality is an important character quality of a professional person. For international companies, understanding differing views of professional behavior is important. Time zones can also pose a challenge for professional communication.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=MacArthur |first=Heather V. |title=Professionalism’s Moving Target: Navigating Today’s Nuanced Workplace |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hvmacarthur/2025/10/13/professionalisms-moving-target-navigating-todays-nuanced-workplace/ |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
== Changing attitudes == Having tattoos is considered taboo in some workplaces, but this has been changing in the 21st century.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-06-15 |title=Tattoos at work: Are they still an issue? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48620528 |access-date=2023-07-21}}</ref> A University of Miami survey found that respondents who had tattoos were more likely to be employed than non-tattooed respondents, although the researchers cautioned that this result was correlative.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Beard |first=Alison |date=2018-11-01 |title=A Tattoo Won't Hurt Your Job Prospects |work=Harvard Business Review |url=https://hbr.org/2018/11/a-tattoo-wont-hurt-your-job-prospects |access-date=2023-07-21 |issn=0017-8012}}</ref> In New Zealand, some businesses have dropped bans on traditional Māori tattoos.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Māori broadcaster becomes first to anchor news with traditional chin tattoo |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2021/12/30/new-zealand-anchor-traditional-maori-tattoo/9053099002/ |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-06-10 |title=Air New Zealand drops ban on staff tattoos |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48577668 |access-date=2023-07-21}}</ref>
In the United States, some workplaces have "Jean Fridays" where employees may wear blue jeans to work for free or for five dollars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rohloff |first=Chloe |title=Dress codes affect more than just students |url=https://chargeronline.nacs.k12.in.us/8722/uncategorized/dress-codes-affect-more-than-just-students/ |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=The Charger Online}}</ref> The allowance of jeans into the white-collar workforce on Fridays has led some workplaces to adopt jeans as professional attire for the whole week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Teachers In Jeans? Trigg County Schools Officials Debate. |url=https://www.wkdzradio.com/2026/03/05/teachers-in-jeans-trigg-county-schools-officials-debate/news-edge/ |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=WKDZ |language=en-US}}</ref>
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, professional expectations around video calls, work-from-home behavior, and after-hours availability began to change. Video call "camera etiquette" became more widespread and important.<ref name=":0" />
In the 2020s, American CEOs began to curse more frequently in public, sparking discussion on to what extent cursing is "professional" in the workplace.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lazarus |first=Lily Mae |title=Profanity is becoming mainstream in corporate America's C-suite |url=https://fortune.com/2025/03/07/cursing-profanity-ceos-csuite-communication-professionalism/ |access-date=2026-04-27 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref> Whether cursing in the workplace is a legally protected right in the US or not was a contentious issue between the US Chamber of Commerce and the National Labor Relations Board in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spencer |first=Glenn |date=2023-08-15 |title=NLRB Says Profanity in the Workplace Is Fine |url=https://www.uschamber.com/employment-law/unions/national-labor-relations-board-says-profanity-in-the-workplace-is-just-fine |access-date=2026-04-27 |website=www.uschamber.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Criticism of concept == Critics of professionalism typically say that some specific standards, such as hairstyle or clothing restrictions, are outdated or overly limiting. Professional standards may be seen as conformist or as "selling-out."<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Surprising Power of Professionalism in an Age That Questions It {{!}} Psychology Today |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/power-and-influence/202508/the-surprising-power-of-professionalism-in-an-age-that-questions-it |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=www.psychologytoday.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
Hairstyles are also subject to professionalism requirements in many workplaces. In the United States, employers have banned natural hairstyles for African Americans, resulting in a push for CROWN Act laws (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-18 |title=House passes Crown Act banning discrimination against Black hairstyles |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/house-passes-crown-act-banning-discrimination-black-hairstyles-rcna20617 |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official CROWN Act |url=https://www.thecrownact.com/ |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=The Official CROWN Act |language=en-US}}</ref> Professional standards that generally apply to only one race have been criticized as a form of discrimination.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baer |first=Drake |title=Professionalism is a bias-making machine that needs to end. Here's how to dismantle it. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/professionalism-is-a-bias-making-machine-how-to-dismantle-it-2022-3 |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}} Category:Corporate jargon Category:Business terms Category:Workwear Category:Brand management