We all like our own space, even if we're not in it for much of the time. We mark out our territory at work, and expect others to keep out. What makes you quietly seethe behind your PC? According to a survey by the Sharp Consultancy, 42 per cent of us find bad manners the most annoying office habit. So here are 10 ways to keep office life happy.
1. Brrring, brrrring.
It's very distracting to have to constantly answer other people's phones if they haven't diverted them or activated their voicemail. It's just as annoying to listen to 20 seconds of "Crazy Frog" as the ringtone on someones mobile.
It's very distracting to have to constantly answer other people's phones if they haven't diverted them or activated their voicemail. It's just as annoying to listen to 20 seconds of "Crazy Frog" as the ringtone on someones mobile.
2. Respect colleagues having lunch at their desk.
You're sitting there quietly eating a sandwich and perhaps reading a book or a newspaper, when someone decides to come up and ask work-related questions. Treat others on their lunch break as youd like to be treated on yours.
You're sitting there quietly eating a sandwich and perhaps reading a book or a newspaper, when someone decides to come up and ask work-related questions. Treat others on their lunch break as youd like to be treated on yours.
3. Monitor your speaking volume.
People always tend to speak louder than necessary when on a mobile, so make sure you pipe down or go into the corridor. Talking to a friend from the phone on your desk? No-one else wants to hear your conversation about how you dumped your boyfriend or what you're planning to wear when out tonight. Especially your boss.
People always tend to speak louder than necessary when on a mobile, so make sure you pipe down or go into the corridor. Talking to a friend from the phone on your desk? No-one else wants to hear your conversation about how you dumped your boyfriend or what you're planning to wear when out tonight. Especially your boss.
4. Be mindful of others needing the printer.
"Printer etiquette" is a phrase used widely in South Australia. It refers to giving preferential treatment to workers printing only one page at a time, ahead of those using half an hour and half a forest to print out large documents.
"Printer etiquette" is a phrase used widely in South Australia. It refers to giving preferential treatment to workers printing only one page at a time, ahead of those using half an hour and half a forest to print out large documents.
5. Be sensitive about smells.
Limit strong perfume, excessive body odour, and very fragrant flowers -- all of which can offend others. Hot take-away food and instant soups can also be very unpleasant, especially if you're twenty floors up and relying on air-conditioning rather than being able to open the windows.
Limit strong perfume, excessive body odour, and very fragrant flowers -- all of which can offend others. Hot take-away food and instant soups can also be very unpleasant, especially if you're twenty floors up and relying on air-conditioning rather than being able to open the windows.
6. Be tidy in the kitchen.
Remember when your mum would say, "Do you think this is a hotel?" Similarly, at work, no-one wants to have to tidy up after your mess. Don't leave food on the counter or dirty dishes in the sink for extended periods of time. And check the fridge now and again to make sure the cheese you bought last month hasnt sprouted a green disguise.
Remember when your mum would say, "Do you think this is a hotel?" Similarly, at work, no-one wants to have to tidy up after your mess. Don't leave food on the counter or dirty dishes in the sink for extended periods of time. And check the fridge now and again to make sure the cheese you bought last month hasnt sprouted a green disguise.
7. Keep your music to yourself.
Roger Tullgren, in Sweden, managed to convince three psychologists that his compulsion to listen to music at work should be classified as a disability. He's now been given a dispensation to play music "really loudly" at his new job as a part-time dishwasher in a restaurant. However, not everyone at your office will be keen to hear your latest discovery, so keep the volume non-existent by wearing headphones.
Roger Tullgren, in Sweden, managed to convince three psychologists that his compulsion to listen to music at work should be classified as a disability. He's now been given a dispensation to play music "really loudly" at his new job as a part-time dishwasher in a restaurant. However, not everyone at your office will be keen to hear your latest discovery, so keep the volume non-existent by wearing headphones.
8. Stay home with the sniffles.
You may feel you should be applauded for bravely soldiering into work when ill, but no-one else will. A Kimberly-Clark report found 94 per cent of workers admitting they still turn up for work when experiencing cold and flu symptoms. Eighty-five per cent of these think about the risk of passing on their illness to colleagues but go in anyway. If you absolutely must appear, be considerate and use tissues and wash your hands frequently to reduce the spread of germs.
You may feel you should be applauded for bravely soldiering into work when ill, but no-one else will. A Kimberly-Clark report found 94 per cent of workers admitting they still turn up for work when experiencing cold and flu symptoms. Eighty-five per cent of these think about the risk of passing on their illness to colleagues but go in anyway. If you absolutely must appear, be considerate and use tissues and wash your hands frequently to reduce the spread of germs.
9. Ask before borrowing.
Like Gareth in "The Office", some people are fiercely protective of their office supplies. How many times have you been on a scavenger hunt to track down borrowed pens, staplers and scissors?
Like Gareth in "The Office", some people are fiercely protective of their office supplies. How many times have you been on a scavenger hunt to track down borrowed pens, staplers and scissors?
10. Be on time.
According to a report by the BBC, two-out-of-three people regularly turn up late for meetings. What message does it give to people if you're always late, cancel at short notice or chat with others while a meeting is going on? Showing respect and tact in the workplace will help you build productive relationships.
According to a report by the BBC, two-out-of-three people regularly turn up late for meetings. What message does it give to people if you're always late, cancel at short notice or chat with others while a meeting is going on? Showing respect and tact in the workplace will help you build productive relationships.
Avoiding bad manners at work is such a simple thing to do and can have a dramatic impact on improving your working environment and your relationships with others.
Article based on career builders, http://www.careerbuilder.co.uk/UK/JobSeeker/CareerAdvice/ViewArticle.aspx
Article based on career builders, http://www.careerbuilder.co.uk/UK/JobSeeker/CareerAdvice/ViewArticle.aspx
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