Survey: Gossip Tops the List of Employees' Workplace Annoyances
According to the survey of about 2,400 individuals, 60% list gossip as their greatest pet peeve, 54% say other people’s time management skills and 45% say they are most annoyed with messiness in places that are meant to be communal.
The other pet peeves listed by employees were:
- Potent scents, 42%
- Loud noises, 41%
- Overuse of electronic personal communications devices in meetings, 28% and
- Misuse of email, 22%.
Though gossip was listed at the top of employees ‘ pet peeves, workers responded that they are more likely to say something directly to the person(s) involved about loud noises (42%) and messiness in communal spaces (38%) than say something directly to those who gossip (34%).
Employees said they are least likely to address gossip with their boss (8%), and 41% said they would do nothing, perhaps solidifying their distaste for idle chatter.
Employees ‘ annoyance with other ‘ s misuse of email is less likely to be addressed by saying something directly to the person(s) involved (25%) and the more likely to be ignored (41%) by an irritated employee.
Employees are most willing to go to their supervisor to deal with others ‘ poor time management skills (20%).