Workplaces are filled with all sorts of different personalities, so it’s easy to overlook how our actions affect those around us. Some habits might seem harmless, but they can really irritate colleagues. To make sure you’re not getting on your coworkers’ nerves too much, this article takes a look at various things you might be doing that wind them up.
Talking Too Loudly on the Phone
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a personal call or a business conversation; speaking loudly on the phone can disrupt everyone’s focus. It’s hard for coworkers to concentrate when someone’s voice carries across the office, and as LinkedIn points out, the person on the other end of the line probably won’t appreciate being shouted at either. So, the next time you make a call, try to adopt a quieter tone or take it in a private area to maintain a less distracting environment.
Leaving Dirty Dishes in the Sink
If you have a mess area in your workplace, it should be common sense that leaving dishes in the communal sink is a quick way to annoy colleagues. When dishes pile up, it creates an unsightly mess that someone else ends up cleaning. After all, it’s your mess, so you shouldn’t be expecting other people to clean it up.
Sending Too Many Emails
No coworker will ever appreciate you for bombarding coworkers with constant emails, especially ones that could be condensed or aren’t necessary. It clutters inboxes and makes important messages harder to spot. Instead, you should work on consolidating information into fewer emails to keep communication clear and reduce inbox overload for everyone.
Interrupting During Meetings
Cutting off others when they’re speaking, whether in meetings or casual conversations, can come off as rude and inconsiderate. It disrupts the flow of discussion and makes it difficult for everyone to express their thoughts. Waiting for your turn to speak shows respect and keeps the conversation smooth. However, if you really must butt in, make sure you do it politely.
Not Refilling the Printer Paper
After using the printer and finding it to be out of paper or toner, why would you not refill it? It’s a really quick and easy task that often gets overlooked, but it causes unnecessary delays for other people. Just take a moment to restock the printer to help keep things running smoothly–it’s really not that hard.
Bringing Strong-Smelling Food
The only thing worse than not cleaning your food up in the mess room is heating up food with strong odors, like fish or pungent spices, which can quickly fill the office and linger for hours. While it’s perfectly fine to enjoy a flavorful meal, it’s worth considering how the smell affects others.
Hogging the Meeting Room
If your workplace has a meeting room, don’t book it for longer than needed or use it without a reservation, as it’s a shared space. It’s important to respect shared resources and stick to your allotted time, and even if you do book it, remember that other people need to use it, too.
Overusing Reply-All
Another piece of email etiquette when it comes to the workplace is not hitting “reply all” on emails when it’s not necessary, which will only clutter inboxes and annoy colleagues who don’t need to be included. It’s a simple habit that can be easily adjusted by replying only to the relevant people. This helps keep communication targeted and avoids unnecessary email chains.
Playing Music Without Headphones
It should really go without saying that playing music or videos without headphones at work can be a big distraction, even if it’s at a low volume. What’s enjoyable to one person might be irritating to another, especially in a shared workspace. Using headphones keeps noise levels down and ensures everyone can focus on their work. Also, ask yourself whether you should really be watching or listening to this stuff during working hours.
Showing Up Late to Meetings
When you consistently arrive late to meetings, regardless of whether they’re in person or virtual, you actively disrupt the flow and waste valuable time. It throws off the schedule and can frustrate those who make an effort to be punctual. Try to be on time, as this simple act shows respect for everyone’s schedules and keeps the workday flowing.
Personal Grooming at the Desk
Another pretty obvious thing you should probably stop doing at work is combing your hair, clipping your nails, or applying makeup at your desk. These activities are best kept in private spaces like the restroom; while it may seem harmless, personal grooming at work can come across as unprofessional and can be off-putting to those nearby.
Ignoring Emails or Messages
If you fail to respond to emails or messages in a timely manner, especially on important matters, it can slow down projects and frustrate colleagues. It’s easy to overlook a message or put off a response, but keeping communication prompt helps maintain workflow and shows respect for others’ time.
Taking Long Personal Calls
Long personal phone calls during work hours can be a source of irritation, especially if they happen frequently. It can give the impression of slacking off or being distracted. Keeping personal calls short and stepping outside the office space helps maintain professionalism and keeps disruptions to a minimum.
Not Contributing to Shared Responsibilities
Not restocking office supplies, ignoring trash buildup, or skipping out on cleaning duties are all forms of neglecting your shared responsibilities at work. Understandably, your coworkers will find this very annoying; everyone appreciates a team player who pitches in with communal tasks.
Constantly Complaining
Nobody likes a negative Nancy, especially not at work, so try not to regularly vent about work, colleagues, or personal issues, all of which will bring down the mood in the office. While everyone needs to let off steam occasionally, constant complaining can become draining for those around you. Keeping a positive attitude, or at least balancing complaints with constructive comments, can help maintain morale.
Using Speakerphone in Shared Spaces
Along with playing films and music out loud, you really shouldn’t be blasting your personal conversations on speakerphone in your office. This will only be disruptive, making it hard for others to concentrate, and let’s be real–it’s just not necessary. Even if the conversation is brief, just keep it to yourself and find a private spot to keep noise levels down and respect everyone’s workspace.
Leaving Early Without Notice
Finally, it should be pretty obvious that your coworkers will get wound up if you frequently leave work early without them. It will create tension, especially if it affects group projects or deadlines, because why should you get to go home before anyone else?