Although many of us think of ourselves as social creatures who enjoy sharing our workspace, other people’s annoying office habits can drive us crazy.
Despite this, a Regus study has revealed that 84 per cent of workers think that co-working offices improve productivity, with 71 per cent of prospective employees increasingly demanding flexible solutions before taking up a new job.
But, if you’re honest, we are all just as guilty of committing seemingly minor office ‘no-nos’ that irritate the life out of our colleagues. But are these lapses really a drain, or can they be turned into a gain?
1. Playing loud music
Many of us love music – but not when we’re trying to concentrate, battling a deadline, or plucking up the courage to call a client. And one person’s top ‘choon’ can sound like white noise to others. Worse still is someone singing along or playing air guitar, while tinny noise pollution spilling from headphones can also be extremely ANNOYING.
Productivity gain It’s no mystery that hearing music we love makes us feel better, and we’re generally more productive when in a more positive state of mind. The problem comes when other people’s music is forced upon you, so it’s perhaps best to stick to using headphones.
2 Excessive moaning
Many of us have worked with an excessive moaner, those who are an office ‘drain’ rather than ‘radiator’. Their daily gripes range from commute-related angst and the weather (too hot, too cold…) to feeling tired, hungry and ill, or just sorry for themselves. They can also be heard whinging about their work, clients, bosses, colleagues – even their partners!
Productivity drain Can moaning can be therapeutic, even when it is mutual? Having an occasional moan helps to release negative feelings and thoughts, so you end up in a more positive and productive state. But excessive moaning damages morale and productivity so it’s probably best to keep your thoughts to yourself! If it’s that bad, you should be looking for another job.
3 Preparing/eating food
Having to put up with a colleague busily scraping their bowl while loudly munching cereal at their desk is not how many of us like to start our working day. Crunching crisps or slurping down soup at lunch can be similarly annoying, but nothing compared to the ire generated when someone uses the office microwave to heat up last night’s left-over fish curry or similarly smelly ‘delight’.
Productivity gain It’s never good to work when your stomach is grumbling. While some foods can make us more focused and productive, including berries, bananas, eggs, salmon, spinach, walnuts, sunflower seeds, chocolate (a small amount, unfortunately) and raw carrot, it’s definitely best to stick to non-smelly foods.
4 Tapping fingers or pens
The incessant finger drummer or habitual pen tapper can slowly drive their office colleagues round the twist. They might have ambitions to be the new Ringo Starr or Keith Moon, but badly executed paradiddles have no place in the office.
Productivity drain Drumming your fingers is usually a sign of boredom or irritation, while chewing your pen is a sign of stress. Reportedly, men drum their digits slightly faster than women, while people in their 20s tap much faster than those twice their age. But whatever the speed, it’s far more productive if your fingers are tapping on your keyboard.
5 Incessant chatting
Every office seems to have at least one chatterbox (it could even be you). The gossip merchant who never shuts up; they’re oblivious to the distracting effects of their incessant nattering. Often they dominate communal areas or peek over cubicles to start one-sided conversations. In the worst cases, they have very loud conversations with people on the other side of the office.
Productivity drain It’s good to talk, and some office chitchat can be a good thing as it contributes to a friendly and productive working environment, but too much can be harmful. Other noisy office no-nos include laughing, sneezing or coughing loudly, and using your speakerphone. Enough already!
6 Opening windows
While some like it hot, others prefer cooler office environments – much cooler. Some might say too cold, but that doesn’t stop the office alpha males and females from taking it upon themselves to open windows or fiddle with the air conditioning – even when it’s freezing outside. In 2013 Facebook’s Chief operating Officer revealed that the company’s founder Mark Zuckerberg prefers a relatively low office temperature of 15°C (60°F).
Productivity gain Keeping the office temperature cool is a good way of preventing workers from becoming too comfortable, which can result in them slacking off. It also staves off the urge to have an afternoon nap at your desk. Celia Donne, Regus’ Global Operations Director, said: “Regus communal areas are between 19°C and 23°C. If we set the office temperature at 15°C in our 2,600 locations I think many people would walk out.” Cool, but not too cool, ok?
