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A well-oiled office is a combination of many things, including the people, the tools used and the culture. These days, when many of us spend more time at work than we do at home, maintaining a productive and positive office environment is more important than ever. However, as is the case with every office, there are always a few bad apples and few things that can be improved upon. See if your office is an offender, with our top 10 worst office offenses!
1. Noise: If you work in a busy office, it's a given that there's going to be some background noise. From telephones ringing off the hooks to bubbling coffee machines, noises are unavoidable. What is avoidable is talking loudly when other people are working, or playing music without headphones on.
2. Hygiene: Keep perfumes and heavy colognes to a minimum. Not only do some people find these smells overwhelming, many people are allergic to fragrances.
3. Offensive Decorations: Adding individuality to a workspace is an important part in creating a comfortable environment. However, be considerate of other people's sensibility and avoid putting up offensive or off-color decorations and signage.
4. Not Enough Space: What's worse than having a small work station? Not having enough storage space. An organized workspace is critical to an efficient office setting. If you don't have enough space for your files and other important necessities, ask your manager to equip you with a proper storage solution.
5. Broken Furniture: Broken chairs, stuck drawers and rickety desks: these things all add up to an unpleasant work environment. Like having enough space, it's vital that your furniture and equipment is up to par with the demands of your job description.
6. Noisy Neighbors: There's nothing wrong with getting to know your coworkers; what is wrong is crossing personal boundaries and space. If you find that your desk offers limited privacy, ask your manager for a privacy screen over your computer monitor or for your desk to be rearranged. Avoid making personal phone calls at the desk and keep your workspace for professional use only.
7. The Clean Freak: No one likes to get sick, but there's something to be said about number 7 on our list, the "clean freak." These are the coworkers that spray every inch and corner down with Lysol and bleach. If you're guilty of this offense, know that while your intentions are good, subjecting your coworkers to these fumes poses a potential health hazard.
8. Waste: Printing duplicate documents, not recycling ink cartridges or blasting the A/C all contribute to your office's carbon footprint. Make your office more efficient by reducing waste, purchasing reusable supplies and recycling when it's an option.
9. The Internet Is Down: Nothing strikes more fear into the hearts of office workers everywhere than when the internet is down. And can you blame them? From how we communicate, to how we work, everything is based on the internet.
10. Smelly Foods: One man's caviar is another man's garbage. If you're in an enclosed environment, keep strong-smelling foods stored tightly or eat them outside when possible. Not everyone will find your leftovers as delicious as you do, so it's important to be respectful to their senses.
