What's Bugging You At Work?

I am currently conducting a survey of the “Top Three Things that Drive Co-workers Crazy” as a follow up to an article of mine that was published ten years ago. I am interested to see if things have changed over the years. Are co-workers more sensitive and respectful? Has the influx of technology, especially with communications and social networking, having an effect on office etiquette and civility? Are there more barriers due to the isolation and selection ability of Facebook to decide who to “friend”and “un-friend” at will? Is the Smartphone, with its capability for texting, watching movies and reading books without detection ruining meetings and productivity?

If you have an Administrative Assistant job, people expect you to be a psychologist, negotiator, arbitrator, magician and parent. In most cases, you are the one gets the complaints about the mess in the break room refrigerator and Joe who keeps taking Belinda’s tape dispenser. Knowing what’s going on out there may help get perspective on your own office and how you can help everyone “just get along.”

At this point, I am in the preliminary stages, but if the early results hold true, it is surprising to see that not much has changed in the 10 years since the first article was published. So far, the top offenders are:

1. Taking things off other people’s desk and not returning them
2. Taking the last cup of coffee and leaving the pot empty—not making more
3. Not returning phone calls in a timely manner (or at all)

In 2001, the top three offenders were:

1. Not returning phone calls, voice mail, email or pages in a timely manner (or at all).
2. Using the last piece of paper in the copier and not refilling it
3. Showing up late to meetings or answering phone calls in meetings

Still an issue after all those years, #2 and #3 from the current survey ended up as #8 and #9 in the 2001 survey. Looking at the responses coming in, I wonder if the economy has anything to do with the “sticky finger” epidemic going on. Are those disappearing pens, sticky notes and staplers ending up in backpacks and punching out as well at the end of the workday? The office supply closet is getting bare these days, so if you need a few extra paper clips, you can always browse your co-worker’s desk when they are taking a break. As for taking the last cup of coffee and not making more for the next person, one respondent called that a “mortal sin.” That was the only transgression that was given biblical authority, so to that person it was a major offense meriting eternal damnation.

Whatever the results, there is a lot of inconsiderate, rude and downright offensive stuff going on in the office, and human nature hasn’t changed much. The original article is available on my website. If you want to take the current survey, and share it with your co-workers, go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CFKX7DB. The final results will be the subject of a future blog.

Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a workplace consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for Administrativejobs.com. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing Alto II with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and creating original gift items available on http://www.etsy.spoolhardy.com/. You can read more of her blogs at administrativejobsblog.com and view additional job postings on Nexxt.