Worst workplace etiquette
August 21, 2008 by Fred HosierPosted in: Employees do the strangest things, Fun stuff on the Web, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views
Sometimes those humans whose resources you manage don’t exhibit the best etiquette in the workplace.
Careerbuilder.com recently posted a list of offenses it considers some of the worst. We’ve combed through the list and picked our favorite workplace faux pas:
- Speeding in the company parking lot or garage. Hey, we need all our co-workers!
- Making repetitive noises at your cubicle such as chewing gum, tapping your fingers or clicking a pen.
- Monopolizing “available space” in the restroom. It’s not the place to read the newspaper cover to cover.
- Taking the last of an item in the break room.
This one wasn’t on careerbuilder’s list, but it’s one we’d be curious to get your take on: When someone taps away on their PDA, cell phone or laptop at a meeting, is that effective multi-tasking or is it just rude?
And, as always, feel free to add to this list of the worst workplace etiquette via the comments box below.
Tags: break room, cubicle, etiquette, offenses, parking lot, restroom
August 21st, 2008 at 4:49 pm
My worst pet peeves are chewing tobacco users who spit in office waste baskets & people who leave their office phones on speaker so that I have to hear both sides of EVERY conversation, even personal ones!
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:40 am
Texting during a meeting is just rude! If they feel that texting is necessary, they need to prioritize their business and not attend the meeting, or excuse themselves if it’s an emergency. It’s the same as having a conversation with someone during a presentation — it’s distracting to everyone in the room and they might just miss something important. Makes my blood boil!
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:54 am
All non exempt employees gathering in the central cubicle area on their breaks and talking loudly. Hey, other people are still trying to work…
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:15 am
Employees who don’t clean up after themselves in the lunch/kitchen area. Also, leaving food in the frig for weeks on end.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:20 am
Add flip-flops to that list of annoying repetitive noises. They should be banned from the workplace. I don’t want to hear someone coming at me from 50 feet away and I don’t want to hear them 50 feet going away from me. Well, maybe I do want to hear them going away.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:33 am
It seems rude to me when someone bursts into my office and immediately launches into a conversation (often demanding something) without waiting to see if I’m on the phone or in the middle of something detailed. This happens constantly and it drives me nuts!
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:34 am
When someone taps away on their PDA, cell phone or laptop at a meeting, is that effective multi-tasking or is it just rude?
I know we are all busy, but I think this is rude behavior, akin to having a side conversation during a meeting. I actually had an executive of my company “playing” with his blackberry during a meeting yesterday. When it came time for him to speak about a topic directly related to his department he continued pushing buttons on his blackberry while talking and while others talked to him. I don’t know if it bothered anyone else, but I found it to be disrespectful of the others in the room who had taken time out of their very busy day to be present in the meeting.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:36 am
I agree it’s just plain rude.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:38 am
Leaving water and/or hair on the bathroom counter.
Leaving dirty dishes and messes in the breakroom for someone else to clean up.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:46 am
Not checking the stall before exiting the bathroom. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked into the stall after someone else and their “business” is left there for everyone to see. Gross!
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:46 am
It is rude when an employee comes to my office, sees that I am on the phone and in the middle of a conversation (I am in HR and sometimes those conversations can be confidential), and stands there staring at me, waiting for me to get off the phone. It would be considerate if the employee would walk away, out of ear shot, and patiently wait until I am available. This happens frequently.
Other rudeness I encounter, is other employees nearby my office, discussing loudly personal events of the previous night and/or laughing loudly (everything is funny to these people), so loud sometimes that I cannot hear the person on the other end of my phone.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:50 am
When someone uses the restroom and doesn’t spray air freshner or FLUSH their cares away……….
&
Someone using the last of an item and not letting the supply dept. know to order more
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:54 am
I have to agree with R.B. If people could learn to pop in and ASK for some time now or soon…or better yet, drop an email or call and leave a message. I don’t mind interruptions for urgent issues that come up unexpectedly but that’s not the nature of what most people that “intrude” are wanting. This seems commonsense to me but apparently it is not.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:55 am
To occasionaly glance at your PDA to check for an important message, etc. during a meeting is not a problem, but to actively use it while in a meeting is disruptive, distracting and rude. Unfortunately we have folks who do that all too often and our Executive Director has started to publicly reprimand them when he sees it.
I understand multi-tasking can help build your productivity, but if you need to do that excuse yourself from the meeting.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:12 am
I have a co-worker who loudly cracks his knuckles all the time. It makes me cringe!
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:20 am
I assure you, the following is real, and was sent to a large number of employees of a company with a staff 650.
Regarding bathroom ettiquette, the following needs to stop:
… not flushing…
… “missing the target”…
… using the ‘hover and hope’ approach…
… using 10 seat covers, and then leaving them there…
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:25 am
Yes, it is just plain rude to type on your Blackberry, PDA or cell phone while in meetings! Leave it in your office. And, to add to that, it’s just as rude when you’re in a restaurant!
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:32 am
It is definitely poor ettiquette to be tapping away on a wireless device while in a meeting. It is disrectful to anyone speaking, and there is no way one can take in the meeting information while also working on something else.
Can you tell this is a pet peeve of mine?
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:57 am
My desk neighbor yells at her computer all day and I have to completely tune her out to keep my sanity. When she is actually talking to me and I ignore her she thinks I’m rude.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:58 am
It’s inconsiderate of a person who uses the bathroom, which happens to be close to the lobby, and doesn’t keep the fan on or courtesy flush that leaves the bathroom (and lobby) smelling like a sewer.
But the same employee fusses when the smell of capacinno is left in the kitchen in the afternoon.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I think it is extremely rude and unprofessional for others to use their laptops during a meeting. This is disrespectful to the speaker. I work for a big corporation where they require the leaders to gather every quarter to listen to speakers. I have seen EVP’s, CEO and COO’s using their laptops during these meetings. What kind of image does this show to those under them? That it’s ok to ignore the speaker even though the company spent alot of time and alot of money to have these guest speakers. Also that their message must not be important and that’s why they are not giving them their full attention, so why must everyone else? I also believe its rude that most people have to be asked to turn off their cell phones and pagers during a meeting. This should be automatic. And alot still leave them on after being advised to turn them off or to vibrate. I am embarrased to work for a company that alot of the leaders do not have the common sense or respect for those around them.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
How about using the last of the toilet paper and not refilling it.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
How about doing needlework during training? We had two employees who thought this was okay for some reason – during CPR training!
And… having children “hangout” in work areas. While we like to see our co-workers kids, having them hang out more than 15-20 minutes is too much.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I think its fine to use the last of something in the breakroom.
My annoyance is with the people who don’t refill/replace from the stock what they used the last of.
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I have had to post signs in the women’s room asking women to “flush”, make sure they have not left any “deposits” on the seat and, worst of all. . . NOT to leave used sanitary products lying aroud. There are special bins with special bags in each stall. Dispose of your item in the bag and then put it in the trash can.
These are all adult women………
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Walking thru the halls within the office talking on the telephone.
Coughing and sneezing without shielding.
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Someone eating your MARKED! lunch out of the fridge. I kid you not.
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:32 pm
This has happened to me and I’ve seen it happen to others. A person will walk up to my office door, see that I’m on the phone, and they will stand there watching me have my telephone conversation.
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Walking into someone’s office and letting out a “silent but deadly” present before leaving that person’s office… this actually just happened to me and I was shocked and sickened!!!!
August 22nd, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Yelling down the hallway to another person, especially if there are outsiders in the offices between the two points!
August 24th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Never mentioning that they’ve used the last of anything whether it be copy paper, or other supplies. Refusing to refill the copy machine and leaving it empty for the next guy.
Leaving their debris (empty cups, bottles, etc.) anywhere for anyone to clean up after them. Borrowing your stuff without asking and then not returning it.
Barging into your office and begin talking while you are on the phone, or otherwise engaged. Entering without knocking.
Expecting you to be a mind reader – and a solver of all problems in the office whether relating to relationships, supplies, facility maintenance, etc. And if something is broken – keeping it a secret rather than telling anyone.
August 25th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Imagine this. Room full of managers, once a month, for a meeting with our president. One person ALWAYS frowning so hard and for so long that she has a permant hill right between her eyes. I sit next to her just so that I don’t get to see her in action and get in a bad mood myself.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:13 am
I have to agree with the people standing around to talk to you while your on the phone (I’m also in HR) but I also hate it when your on the phone and people in your office decide to talk extra loud during that time while your still trying to hear the person on the other end of the phone.
August 29th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I hope everyone also understands that there are two sides to some complaints. I have a physically disabled child who is very intelligant and capable, she however is one of those people to crack her knuckles or fiddle with objects…..the reason…..fluid build up in the joints, if her hands are not active enough (the reason she fidgets) then the fluid builds up and becmes uncomfortable (the reason she cracks). So yes it may be anoying to someone around her, but she should not have to suffer for someone else’s convenience either. Then the question most asked is why doesn’t she just explain to those people why she does it….do you want everyone you come in contact with to know your personal business?
All’s i am saying is maybe there is a reason…maybe before judging you should really decide rather it is really rude or just an inconvenience. oh or just a disquisting habit which should of course be corrected or they should learn to work from home.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Employees who come in early and stay late to look good to the boss, but spend most of the day on websites for fantasy sports leagues.
Also, we are in an office building with other tenants and have shared rest room facilities. As many others have commented, people who do not flush, and / or use up the toilet paper and do not replace it, even though a new roll is available.
People who use the rest room, do not wash their hands, then go into the kitchen area.
September 11th, 2008 at 11:00 am
When I’m typing up something for the Boss and someone expects me to stop and help them with their project…that is due the same time my item is due and to the same Boss!
October 3rd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
It annoys me when people from other departments come in my office while I am on the phone, or busy, and read what I am working on that is on my desk. I deal with highly confidential information.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:54 am
People who read one line of a four line e-mail, then ask you a question that is answered in the remaining e-mail.
October 6th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
How about people who leave their personal cell phones on all day with the loudest most obnoxious ring they can find so when it rings the whole building knows it. The woman in the office next to mine does this all the time!!!! Rude and inconsiderate!
November 13th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
How about a coworker licking her plate at a formal gathering. GROSS!
November 13th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I have seen one coworkers underwear at least a half a dozen times. Miniskirts and flipflops are not appropriate for office apparrel. blech!
November 25th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Lee, I’ve had the same thing happen to me. One person, no longer with the company (!), would stop at my desk to read confidential material that I was working on. I can top even that one. On a couple of occasions, I had to step away from my desk and came back to find this same person actually sitting at my computer, looking through my files and reading my emails. He also changed the font on my computer, because he said it was too big. Unbelievable!!!
December 12th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
How about when you are in a meeting, and then certain people start talking in a foreign language and continue to do so, and laugh and say things while looking directly at you?
How about certain people whose idea of “doing work” is coming to you and asking you to do something…whether you are currently dealing with people or not, and then standing there and waiting for you to “make a phone call” in the amount of time it would have taken them to do it?
Even better, someone who “delegates” work, and then has NOTHING to do themselves…but sit back and collect a big fat salary? (Yet take all the credit)
December 13th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
How about when a supervisor constantly cracks her knuckles in a meeting? Or takes out all of her many pierced earrings and puts them on the table in front of her in a meeting ? Or eats yogurt during every morning meeting and slurps it as she places it in her mouth? Or wears low-cut shirts that show her cleavage even though she is quite overweight? Yep, my boss does all of these things and she’s in HR. It’s sickening.
February 20th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Ann, you hit the nail on the head! What childish, inconsiderate behavior. The toilet issues boggle the mind. Didn’t these people get properly potty trained? The next person does not want to deal with what someone else left behind. Remember the book “Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”? There is a list in there that includes things like, If you spill it, clean it up; If you break it, replace it. In other words, just common sense (which doesn’t seem so common any more.) I’ve posted that list in places I’ve worked. Don’t think it makes much difference. We also need a sign informing people that their Mom does not work here – the not cleaning up after oneself, in general, is so inconsiderate. And talking or using devices during meetings, movies, even church! I attended a special (and rather long) service just last night and, although there were several requests to turn off cell phones and pagers, several still rang during the service. These people’s thought process must go something like ,”Me, Me, Me!” Or, as we say at my work, they have a sense of entitlement the size of Montana!