The annoying habits that get under people's skin in the office

A recent survey has revealed the top things that people should stop doing in the office to avoid annoying your colleagues.

An online survey by BizSpace asked a group of people to reveal what annoys them most in the workplace - they wanted to know what people's office ick’s are.

They asked 2,000 UK office workers: "What's the one office habit that grinds your gears the most in 2024?"

The results revealed that the most common office pet peeves include filming TikTok videos at work, office vapers and loud talkers.

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As well as revealing office workers' pet peeves, the survey also found that although most workers are hesitant to confront colleagues about these behaviours, younger employees (aged 18-34) are likelier to report such irritations to management or HR.

Flexible workspace experts and organiser of the survey, BizSpace, encourages businesses to consider “office etiquette” or establish clear guidelines to improve the office experience.

Here’s what NOT to do next time you’re at work, to avoid making an enemy in the office.

Office TikToker

At the top of the list and the biggest aggravator in the workplace is social media platform TikTok.

A whopping 22 percent of respondents admitted that people filming TikTok's in the office is their biggest pet peeve.

As TikTok and influencer culture gets ever more popular, more and more people are jumping on the trend and filming TikTok videos wherever they go. Unfortunately for 22 percent of our respondents, it has entered the workplace.

Colleagues are now being seen recording dance challenges and lip-sync battles at every opportunity. While it injects a bit of fun into the environment, these impromptu filming sessions can also distract those trying to focus.

The key question remains: where’s the line between a lively atmosphere and a professional workspace?

Vaping in the office

The second highest pet peeve among office workers is the vaper. A huge 20 percent of our respondents said that vaping in the office is their biggest ick.

People have enough to worry about at work without getting hit with a blueberry ice cloud every ten minutes.

Can't we leave that habit outside?

Loud talkers

The survey revealed that 18 percent of people get aggravated by colleagues who constantly speak loudly in the office.

Avoid being this person and watch your volume levels! Indoor voices people.

Personal calls on speaker phone

Similarly to the loud talkers, 15 percent of respondents said that their biggest office peeve is hearing people on personal calls. Keep those personal conversations on the DL and out of office hours! You don’t needs your colleagues overhearing what your partner wants for tea.

Boiled egg lunches

There isn’t much worse than being stuck beside a colleague eating a smelly lunch. A whopping 12 percent of respondents named boiled egg eaters as their primary ick. Keep those pungent meals at home, or at least eat it in the break room!

Chewing gum under desks

This seems to be a universal experience, you accidentally brush your hand against some unknown sticky, hard knobble under your desk... We’ve all been there - but who is putting it there?

In the survey, eight percent of our respondents said that chewing gum under desks is their biggest office pet peeve.