An office or co-working environment is a space for achieving work goals, not broadcasting what you did over the weekend. If people around you are chattering, it’s definitely OK to partake in quiet conversation, but do be aware of your noise level whenever you’re in a working environment.
If you quietly hum or sing a couple of stanzas to yourself occasionally, that’s fine, but anything beyond that may be perceived negatively by others. If there’s a chance that your office mates will be annoyed by your arias, save them for the park, the shower, the opera… anywhere else really.
Step outside if you’re having a long conversation over the phone to avoid distracting the office.
Avoid becoming office enemy #1 by NOT “replying all” unless it’s 100% absolutely necessary. Just don’t do it, guys.
Don’t make your office hire a private investigator to solve the case of the missing yogurt. Don’t eat any office fridge food that isn’t yours and stay on your coworker’s good side. If something is labeled “take one” or “for the team”, feel free to dig in, but just your share.
It’s one thing to be curious and friendly and quite another to be sticking your nose into other people’s personal lives. It’s OK to ask questions about your colleagues, but steer clear of prying too much.
Being friendly and competent is wonderful, but people will judge you if you’re giving sugary compliments to the boss every day. Earn your positive favor by working for it and your colleagues will respect you.
The office is a communal space that must be kept cleaner than your personal space. Make sure to keep tidy when you’re at work and clean up food messes, disorganized paper work, etc.
Rolling into work or a meeting after everyone else is disrespectful, disruptive and reflects laziness. It can happen every once in a while, but don’t let it become a habit or you may earn a reputation that will make it harder to get a good recommendation or a full-time position.
Wait for your turn to speak. If you didn’t learn this one in Kindergarten, you better learn it now.
If you want to jam out, do it with headphones in, please. Make sure that you’re playing it at a reasonable volume. Hearing the crackly mumble from headphones when the music is too loud is equally as irritating for surrounding colleagues.
In an office, it’s generally a good idea to keep your political ideas to yourself unless they are directly solicited, particularly if they are controversial.
Smelly or noisy foods shouldn’t be eaten in the office as they can be a distraction and draw negative attention your way. Avoid eating at your desk, unless you see many other employees doing the same. Make sure to always pick up any crumbs when you’re done.
Someone is going to have to wash that grimy coffee cup and you better believe it’s you. Your dishes are your responsibility, don’t get caught leaving them out for others.
It’s one thing to pump up the heat when everyone is complaining about the cold. But if it’s just you that’s uncomfortable with the temperature, put on a sweater. If it’s too hot, drink a nice, cool ice water.
Sources: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bernard-marr/the-30-most-annoying-offi_b_7311616.html
Photo 1. by Elizabeth Trovall
GIF 1: wifflegif.com, http://giphy.com/gifs/the-office-ed-helms-andy-bernard-WtKJsnqvBoyIw
Photo 2. based on Eat!, by Joshua Rappeneker, CC-by-SA 2.0