I recently asked some friends and colleagues what a new co-worker could do to really annoy them. While there was a wide range of potentially annoying behaviors, the following five consistently left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth:
Bail on your co-workers
Call in sick to work, and then post pictures of yourself on Instagram (or your site of choice) at a ball game from the same day.
How to be extra annoying: Make sure you call in sick on the day of an important meeting or event that everyone else will be staying late for.
Refuse to help out
When someone asks you for help on a small project, ALWAYS refuse; it will be particularly annoying if you are snarky when refusing.
How to be extra annoying: Insist that no where on your job description does it say that you need to help with that particular task.
Point out how each of your co-workers is doing their jobs WRONG
Since you have barely learned your own job, let alone anyone else’s, when you point out all the errors that your colleagues are making, you will definitely annoy them.
How to be extra annoying: Don’t tell your colleagues what they are doing wrong in person; instead, email them a list of their mistakes, and be sure to CC the rest of the staff while you’re at it.
Over-share, all the time
Whether at the photo copier, in meetings, via email, or in the parking lot, be sure to share private details about your personal life. The more private and embarrassing, the more annoying.
How to be extra annoying: Don’t take the hint when people stop talking to you or flat out tell you to stop over-sharing; just keep on sharing all your NSFW stories.
Ignore everyone else’s need for personal space
This one is super easy to do and only requires a complete lack of boundaries. For example, rifle through a co-worker’s desk for office supplies, read someone’s email over their shoulder, or plop yourself down on top of a colleague’s desk.
How to be extra annoying (and creepy): Follow your co-worker into the bathroom to continue your conversation with them there.
Of course, if you’re trying to get along with the people at your new job or internship, I’d suggest avoiding all of the above.
What co-worker attitudes or behaviors annoy you the most? Let us know in the comments.
