Gossip Tops Biggest Workplace Pet Peeves

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RISMEDIA, Nov. 1, 2007-Employees want colleagues to clean up their act in the workplace, including cutting down on idle chitchat, washing their own dirty dishes and be better at managing their time. In a pet peeves-themed survey released by Randstad USA, employees revealed their biggest annoyances in their places of work. The top three pet peeves found in the workplace (among those who have a biggest pet peeve) are gossip (60%), others’ poor time management skills (54%) and messiness in communal spaces (45%).

“As the multi-generational workplace evolves and with colleagues spending more time together, personal and professional behaviors begin to blend, affecting the overall workplace culture, attitudes and experiences within an organization,” said Genia Spencer, managing director of Operations and Human Resources for Randstad USA. “While managers impose standards for corporate culture, employees play a greater role in upholding desirable behaviors. Communication and openness are key factors in achieving a positive work environment.”

Rounding out the top seven pet peeves among employees are potent scents (42%), loud noises (41%), overuse of electronic personal communications devices in meetings (28%) and misuse of e-mail (22%).

When it comes to responding to the biggest annoyances in the workplace, the survey reveals that employees’ verbal reactions vary based on the pet peeve. Though gossip proved employees’ number one pet peeve, workers responded that they are more likely to say something directly to the person(s) involved about loud noises (42%) and messiness in communal spaces (38%) than say something directly to those who gossip (34%).

And of the top pet peeves, employees said they are least likely to address gossip with their boss (8%), and 41% said they would do nothing, perhaps solidifying their distaste for idle chatter.

Employees’ annoyance with other’s misuse of e-mail, which ranked last among the top seven pet peeves (20%), is less likely to be addressed by saying something directly to the person(s) involved (25%) and the more likely to be ignored (41%) by an irritated employee.

Involving a boss to handle annoying behaviors is not always a first choice, but of the top seven pet peeves, employees are most willing to go to their supervisor to deal with others’ poor time management skills (20%).

Randstad commissions quarterly surveys on relevant and provocative workplace trends.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com.
 

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