How to Be Annoying at Work

By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Emily Bennington

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 ten 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.)

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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 coworkers 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 behaviors. What’s at the top of your list?

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CAREEREALISM Expert, Emily Bennington is coauthor of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job (Ten Speed Press, 2010). She is a frequent speaker to students and organizations on the topic of career success and the host of Professional Studio 365 , a popular blog for new grads transitioning from classroom to boardroom. Emily has been featured on ABC News and has been quoted in publications including the Wall Street Journal, New York Post, US News and World Report, and the Washington Post Express. She is a regular contributor to Monster.com as well as the college section of The Huffington Post. Emily can be reached via email at ebennington@msn.com or on Twitter @EmilyBennington.

The photo for this article is provided by Shutterstock.

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