A new study by Instantprint has revealed most Brits have low tolerance levels within the workplace. Only 4% of those who participated in the study claimed they’d never been annoyed by a co-worker’s actions.
The question is, are our low tolerance levels justified? Here, we’ll look at what the recent research revealed and the top, most annoying habits colleagues have in the workplace.
What did the study reveal?
The Study, carried out by online printing company, Instantprint, surveyed 1,000 employees to discover what irritates them about their colleagues. Interestingly, it revealed that more than 56%, over half of UK workers, are regularly annoyed by their colleagues.
When you think that you spend an average of around 34 hours a week with the people you work with, it’s unsurprising there is some level of annoyance in the workplace. When people are kept together, particularly in a small office environment, it’s understandable they are going to start to get on each other’s nerves; particularly if they have a stressful job.
Senior management considered most annoying
One thing the study did pick up on, was that employees mostly had an issue with senior management. Around 30% of respondents claimed that senior management were the most annoying department to work with.
Next on the list of annoying co-workers, was customer service staff at 17% and IT staff at 13%. However, whilst employees admitted to being annoyed by their co-workers, a staggering 40% of them have never confronted or challenged the person in question.
On the flip side, the design department ranked in as the least annoying department with just 3% experiencing issues with colleagues.
What are the top, most annoying habits?
According to the study, the most annoying habits colleagues have in the workplace include:
- Poor personal hygiene
- Eating smelly food in the office
- Frequent smoking breaks
- Constant whistling
- Being late
When you’re stuck in an office with someone who has poor personal hygiene, there’s no doubt it can be off putting. Scent plays a powerful role in how we feel, so if we’re surrounded by bad smells, such as those caused by poor hygiene or smelly food, it can impact productivity and mood.
Employees who also take regular smoking breaks also annoy their colleagues. For non-smokers, it seems particularly unfair that their colleagues who do smoke get extra breaks.
Although they may seem like just pet peeves, annoying colleagues can prove detrimental to the workplace. Therefore, it’s important employers pay attention to their staff and the potential annoying habits displayed in the workplace. Rectifying them will ultimately make it a much nicer environment for your staff and you’ll see productivity levels soar.
