Working with other fully-grown and functional adults shouldn't be a problem. We all learned to share, we all learned to clean up after ourselves, and we all learned how to care for others… in preschool.
However, many of us have forgotten those basic human behaviors that we learned so long ago. This becomes very apparent the second you step into an office.
Someone, somewhere is listening to music loudly, while the person next to them tries to finish an important project for their boss. In the kitchen, weird smells and sticky substances abound, and don't even get me started on the bathroom. Sometimes there's nothing to do about it but slouch at our desks and let it simmer.
The extent of the problems vary from office to office, but there are a few ground rules that will help everyone start on a clean slate.
These 13 things should never, ever be done in a professional work environment, yet they happen. Every. Single. Day. Is there anyone in your office guilty of any of these breaches of etiquette?
Please SHARE with your family and friends on Facebook. I'll bet someone you know has a story that will make your experiences seem like smooth sailing.
Thumbnail sources: Flickr, Blogspot
1. Leave Your Chili Goop All Over the Microwave
No one wants to have to clean up another person's mess. Just cover your food when you heat it up, or make sure to clean up after yourself!
2. Wear Too Much Perfume
A spritz or two is okay, but when you're in close, closed quarters with a bunch of other people, the smell can get overwhelming for them.
3. Forget Your Headphones
If you are going to listen to music or watch a video, put your headphones in so others trying to get their work done aren't distracted by your noise.
4. Come To Work With The Flu
Or any other nasty sickness where you may be sneezing and coughing all over everyone else in the office. This is how entire workplaces get sick at the same time, and it's never fun. Work from home if you can, or take a sick day to take care of yourself.
5. Eat A Tuna Melt In The Tiny Office Kitchen
Sure, tuna salad is a solid, nutritious meal, but it is also pretty pungent. Be considerate when choosing your lunches and save the stinkier stuff for dinner at home.
6. Leave Your Crusty Dishes In The Sink
This should be a given, but clean up after yourself. Even if it's just a mug you used for water, clean it off so the sink doesn't become a disaster zone that attracts fruit flies.
7. Pee On The Toilet Seat
Seriously, folks, this happens all the time, and I will never understand why full-grown adults can't keep a bathroom clean! If you do sprinkle, it takes two seconds to wipe it away before the next person comes. Please, please, please, clean up after yourself.
8. Take The Last Cup Of Coffee Without Making More
When you need the joe, you need the joe, but if it's the last cup, you better make some more! If you don't, the next person who desperately needs a pick-me-up is going to have to wait for their caffeine fix.
9. Skip The Birthday Party
Everyone is busy, but you should be there to celebrate with your coworkers. You don't want to be seen as the one who is too above a good old-fashioned, "Happy Birthday." Not only will you look bad, but your professional relationships will suffer.
10. "Reply All" Every Time
Everyone's flooded with emails as it is, so they don't need to see your "thanks!" pop up in their inbox every time there is an office-wide email sent.
11. Chew With Your Mouth Open
If you work in the type of place where people eat while they work, try to keep it down. This behavior can be incredibly disruptive to some people, as it is a real condition to feel irrational anger when they hear mouth sounds. It is called misophonia. It is also just plain rude to chew with our mouths open, especially with something crunchy, like potato chips!
12. Wear Your Favorite Little Black Dress
There is a time and place to wear your more revealing clothes, and the office isn't one of them. Depending on where you work, the attire may be more causal, but try to keep yourself reasonably covered until it's quitting time. The reason? It doesn't look professional.
13. Reveal Your Entire Personal Life
Sharing a bit here and there is OK, but there is no need to delve into the real nitty-gritty parts at the office. Save that for talk with friends after work, as you don't want your personal happenings to get in the way of your professional relationships.
Has anyone in your office ever committed one of these etiquette crimes? Did we forget anything from our list? Let us know in the comments and please SHARE with family and friends!
