Being polite at work pays off, says Barbara Pachter, author of NewsRules(at)Work: 79 Etiquette Tips, Tools, and Techniques to Get Ahead and Stay Ahead. And it’s the little things that make a difference. Here are three of the courtesies she says you should never skip:

•Greet people. You need to say “hello,” “good morning,” and “how are you?” to people, whether or not you know them and regardless of what position they may hold.

•Answer your cell phone the right way. However, only answer your phone when you’re in a position to have a real conversation. You don’t want to have a dropped call or want traffic blaring in the background.

•Thank anyone who has helped you. It’s important to acknowledge any help you’ve received from colleagues, friends, and mentors. Make sure you say “thank you” and you can also send them a note or a small gift, such as a box of chocolates.

•As the presidential race heats up, discussions about politics will become increasingly common at work. According to a survey by Vault.com, 35 percent of bosses openly share their political views with employees, and 9 percent of workers feel pressure to conform to the boss’ views. Nearly one-third of respondents said that a coworker has tried to influence their choice in an election. Political discussions can be healthy, but unless you work for a political organization, leave the buttons, pamphlets and stickers at home.