No one wants to be a nuisance in the office. However, the problem is sometimes we don’t even know when we’re doing it. So, in the spirit of workplace harmony, I present a top-10 list of totally annoying workplace behaviors. If you recognize yourself in any of these, cease and desist immediately.
10. Speaking loudly on the phone. (Errr… guilty.)
9. Playing music. (Even if colleagues are too polite to say so, yes, your music is bothering them.)
8. Not answering the phone. ( i.e. If you work in a small business and share responsibility for this.)
7. Sneaking off with the last cup of coffee without making a new pot.
6. Eating food that isn’t yours. (Personally, I’m also mildly annoyed by Activia and the like in the company fridge. Seriously, that’s just way too much information that I really don’t care to know.)
5. Continuing to wax on about nothing while colleagues are giving you the “I’m busy” non-verbals. (e.g. Staring at their computer, checking the clock, typing, looking at their phone, etc.)
4. Gossiping about co-workers and/or spilling unnecessary drama about your own personal life. If you’re looking for a quick way to make colleagues uncomfortable, look no further.
3. Complaining all the time about how busy you are or, equally as bad, trying to “look” busy so no one will assign you more work.
2. Missing deadlines. When you miss a deadline, there’s usually a ripple effect that spreads through a project, endangering its overall success – and really annoying your colleagues.
1. Poor attitude. The best managers know to “hire for attitude and train for skill.” That’s because inherently positive people do more to improve and enhance a work environment than even those who are the most technically gifted.
There you have it. This is my top ten list of annoying work behaviors. What’s at the top of your list?
[This article was originally posted on an earlier date.]
Emily Bennington, founding partner of Professional Studio 365, leads programs that help companies get the most out of their career newbies, while helping said newbies connect their efforts to the organization’s big-picture goals.
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11 Comments
Really great tips. Thanks for informing what’s strictly against office etiquette.
Eating smelly food at your desk! Most offices are sealed environments with open floorplans. Someone who brings garlic, onions, curry or fish for lunch can spoil an entire afternoon for coworkers.
Wearing too much cologne/perfume. I hate having to sit in a cloud of someone else’s scent.
Spraying air freshener in the office. It’s just chemicals, can trigger allergies, and doesn’t remove smell, it tries to override it.
Activia is good silly! Don’t knock it till you try it…sooo tasty mmmm
Thanks for the tips, Dave. I didn't know I can put a reminder on a critical email. I mean I knew I can set one for myself, but not one that's attached an email. That's definitely something I'm going to look into! I've used the Carbon Copy function a few times…I find that the recipient is more responsive when they know that the boss knows they're supposed to get it done.
I'm on the fence about number 8. I end up putting blocks of time on my Outlook to work on high-priority tasks that must be done today. If a person calls my office phone during that time, I can't stop to answer. I'll tell people on Out-Of-Office to call my cell for emergencies.
That being said, it's a good idea to lower the volume during that time so other people won't be annoyed.
How is it that many of the people I know, who have poor attitudes, manage to find jobs…yet, I consider myself to be relatively positive…and yet…here I sit SEARCHING for a job??? Just don't get it!!!
I feel there is some irony here…just sayin’
I feel there is some irony here…just sayin’
How about when co-workers don't respond to emails/voicemails promptly? Sometimes, I need your input before I can move forward with a project.
Hi Kristi. My two cents to your comment about not responding promptly, I've forced myself to be sure I include the absolute latest date and time to avoid a schedule slip. I get more responses this way. If I don't, the other person assumes it can be done whenever, which ends up being never.
Another additive if it's a critical task is I put a reminder on the e-mail like 1 hour before it's due, plus a Read receipt (for Outlook this is easy, but not sure about other programs). Then I know the person read it and will be reminded again if it slips. If it's voice mail, I tell them that I'm going to call again at such-and-such a time to remind them. If the person's in the office, I probably end up appearing personally as the time goes. This shows a sense of urgency to the other person. More often than not I get the answers I need. Of course, the earlier I tell someone I need something the easier it is but we sometimes don't have that luxury.
Ask your boss too if you can Carbon Copy him/her on e-mails with critical information needed from someone, and any follow-up e-mails. This shows (a) you're showing your managing the task correctly; (b) that he/she knows that person has the ball. This avoids you having to come up with excuses if it's not done. Some will say it's OK, some will not, but at least you're showing to your boss how you're handling tasks which is still a plus.
Not perfect solutions, but found these tips help. Myself, I have to remember is that I'm charged with the task of getting info and it's my problem if I can't get it in a timely fashion, even if I have to get it from someone else. I may annoy my co-workers, but if it's a choice of annoying them versus getting fired, it's a very easy choice. Granted I'm not a jerk about it, but I am firm.
Good luck!!
–Dave
Thanks for the tips, Dave. I didn't know I can put a reminder on a critical email. I mean I knew I can set one for myself, but not one that's attached an email. That's definitely something I'm going to look into! I've used the Carbon Copy function a few times…I find that the recipient is more responsive when they know that the boss knows they're supposed to get it done.