Top five rules for office etiquette
- Posted:
- 16:40 11 Jul 2003
More than 35% of office workers have considered leaving
their job because of their colleagues' irritating habits, according
to research by recruitment consultancy Office
Angels.
The survey of 1,500 office workers identified the dos and don'ts of
office etiquette and revealed the top five most irritating office
habits:
- Being e-mailed by people who sit three feet away (85%)
- People who listen to voicemails on speakerphone (75%)
- People who swear at their computer (71%)
- Colleagues' choice of radio station (68%)
- Colleagues who do not share the tea-making duties (60%).
Technology has created its own irritations, with 85% of staff
frustrated by overuse of e-mail compared to just 20% in 1999.
Flouting the rules of office etiquette can have serious
consequences: 65% of office workers admit they are more likely to
gossip about colleagues who make loud personal phone calls, while
40% of office workers would not cover for a colleague who had never
made the tea.
Conversely, those who practice sound office etiquette reap the
rewards. Considerate colleagues are better workers and more
deserving of promotion than their more boisterous counterparts,
according to 65% of those polled.
The importance of workplace relationships is shown in the 26% who
say they would be prepared to earn £1,000 a year less if they
could work in a harmonious environment, while 53% would rather have
nice colleagues than an extra week's holiday.
Top tips for good office etiquetteÂ
- Be aware of noise levels when colleagues are trying to concentrate
- Offer support to colleagues with heavy workloads
- Praise colleagues for a good job
- Be open and honest - if something is irritating you, say so
- Make the tea.