The Truth About Annoying Coworkers [Infographic]

Matt Zajechowski https://graduate.olivet.edu 3m 824

The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.

The Annoyance of Annoying Co-Workers

Working with co-workers has always come with its caveats. No matter how many jobs you have had in the past, no matter how many you will get in the future, there will always be at least one annoying co-worker. This co-worker usually comes with a very different personality. They may talk loudly all of the time or have just a very annoying laugh. They might chew their chips loudly or drink coffee with loud sips. They might be banging their pen on the desk or tapping their foot nonstop. They might brown nose the boss or even be willing to throw anyone and everyone under the bus.

This co-worker might not learn from their mistakes and keep making them, often leaving you with more work than you have to do because they are slacking. Wherever they slack, you have to pick up the pieces and make the best of it. Yet no matter what they do, they are still working with you with no chance of being fired. No matter what you do or what attention you bring to get them to stop, it is like they live to get on your nerves, and it prevents you from truly enjoying the job you have to do everyday.

So you end up going into work everyday, hoping that they go on vacation because their vacation means a vacation for you. You have tried to tell your boss or human resources, but nothing ever gets resolved. They are who they are and you and your other co-workers have to accept it. It might get to the point where you have to start looking for a new job. In most cases, there is nothing you can do about it except bite your lip and hope to get through each and every day without incident.

New workplace data shows that you spend more time with your coworkers than your family, and according to this new data, relationships at work get as tumultuous as ones at home.

• 73% of employees are annoyed by up to 5 of their coworkers on a regular basis, and almost 80% of the workforce has confronted a coworker about their annoying behavior.
• Nearly 90% of employees have publicly shamed an an annoying coworker (with those in advertising/marketing and retail most likely to do so).

Take a look at the full results in the infographic below.

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The truth about Annoying coworkers

We Serve a 2,000 working Americans about annoyances in the workplace, and the number one source of tension is interpersonal relationships. Here’s what people had to say.

How many co-workers annoy you on a regular basis?

100% of respondents get annoyed at work.

• 1 21%
• 2-5 73%
• 6-10 4%
• 10+ 2%

Professionals in healthcare and insurance have the highest number of annoying co-workers.

How annoyed do you get with your coworker on a regular basis?

• 4% not annoyed
• 26% a bit annoyed
• 40% annoyed
• 21% quite annoyed
• 9% extremely annoyed

Respondents working and fashion arts and Retail are most annoyed on a regular basis.

What is the name of the female who annoys you most that work?

1. Sarah
2. Jessica
3. Lisa

What is the name of the male who annoys you most at work?

1. John
2. Mike
3. Mark

What about your coworkers annoy you most?

• 49% loudness and complaining
• 32% gossip and bullying
• 12% bathroom and eating habits
• 6% email or meeting habits
• 1% personal hygiene

Real estate professionals have the most complaints about co-workers.

Public Service professionals have the least complaints about co-workers.

Respondents in communication and journalism experience the most gossip at work.

Have you ever confronted a co-worker about their annoying behavior?

• yes 78%
• no 22%

If yes, how did you confront them?

• Through another colleague 47%
• directly 30%
• through a bus or a supervisor 18%
• through human resources 2%
• by involving the entire office 3%

Baby boomers are least likely to directly confront their co-worker, and most likely to speak to their boss.

Have you ever publicly shamed a co-worker after they annoyed you at work?

• No 86%
• yes 14%

If so, how did you do it?

• Telling everyone at the office 39%
• leaving a note in the office 29%
• sending an email 22%
• posting on social media 10%

Advertising marketing and Retail professionals are most likely to shame a co-worker.

Did the confrontation resolve the issue?

• No 70%
• yes 30%

Have you ever been aware that you’re annoying a co-worker, but done it anyway?

• No 76%
• yes 24%

On average, employees with senior or managerial status are 34% more likely to identify as the source of someone’s annoyance.

Professionals who responded Yes were most likely to work and entertainment and insurance.

Have you ever been confronted by a co-worker about your annoying behavior?

• Yes 71%
• no 29%

65% or men

35% were women

Who has confronted you about your annoying behavior at work?

• The co-workers affected 51%
• a colleague, not directly involved 24%
• my boss or supervisor 22%
• Human Resources 2%
• entire office 1%

Have annoying co-workers ever led you to change jobs?

• No 64%
• yes 36%

Respondents most likely to change jobs because of annoying co-workers working entertainment, food hospitality, and real estate.

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