Do You Annoy Your Co-Workers?

I came across a great 'quiz' today...see how you do!


Do You Annoy Your Co-Workers?

By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor

Every office has at least one jerk, pest or loudmouth who drives the rest of the workers crazy. Could it be you? Take this quiz to find out how annoying you might be: How many of these statements describe you?

1. You make provocative statements to "foster dialogue" or needle others.
I don't know what you mean by this, Kate. I'm a bitch sometimes, if that's what you're asking, but it's because they needle me - not the other way around!

2. You often find yourself delivering a discourse consisting solely of buzzwords and catch phrases.
Uhhhhhh.....huh?

3. You make up nicknames for all of your co-workers and refer to them only by these monikers. (e.g. "Good job, Chachi!", "I'm going to have to disagree with you there, T-bone!")
OHHHH…BIG TUNA!!! Haha, NO.

4. Your office is completely decorated in your children's pictures and artwork.
Yes and so effin what if it is???? (Also, Dilberts and pictures OF my kids).

5. You have plastered your cubicle with photos of yourself taken with famous people.
I’ve never had my picture taken with a famous person – but one of the women I dislike (death laugh one) has framed articles about her hanging up.

6. It is your trademark to recite rhyming or other cutesy messages as your voicemail greeting.
Come on, who does that, really??

7. The questions you ask at meetings are preceded by long monologues of your views and accomplishments.
If I ask a question at a meeting it is preceded by “Wait, wait, wait…WHAT???”

8. You routinely eat odiferous lunches at your desk.
I’m not sure if my lunches are ODIFEROUS (That is TOTALLY the word of the day!) but the lady who sits next to me always brings in stinky leftovers.

9. You bring in dishes that you tried to cook, but didn't turn out quite right as "special treats" for your co-workers.
No, but GREAT idea!!

10. People seem tense -- even panic-stricken -- when they see you coming their way.
I wish.

11. Others back away from you as you speak.
I stay in my bubble…it’s these Others that I back away from.

12. You send flurries of e-mails to the rest of the company telling them what you are doing. (e.g. "If anyone needs me, I'll be in the bathroom.")
Again…GREAT IDEA.

13. You vigorously chew or pop your gum.
YES, I actually do! Sometimes, I get multiple bubbles going. It’s fun. Job is boring. Deal with it.

14. You wear strong perfume or cologne.
I’m sensitive to allergic or asthmatic people's needs, so I try not to.

15. You assume your co-workers are fascinated by your personal problems and exploits.
Assume? They live for my stories!!

16. You interrupt others while they are speaking or are deep in conversation.
I'd like to...oh, would I like to!

17. You are moody and don't care who knows it.
So. Guilty. I even curse loudly and assume it will be okay since I’m in a bad mood.

18. You often give others assignments as they're walking out the door for lunch or to catch the train home.
Another one that goes the OTHER WAY AROUND (and I WISH we’d get a damn train!).

19. You borrow staplers, scissors and tape from others' desks and forget to return them.
That’s not called borrowing, sweetie. And I use my own items for fear of Office Germs.

20. Your dialogue with others often end with the other person shouting "You are so annoying!"
LOL, not yet.

If you only counted one or two... not to worry, you can quickly make changes before you're labeled a pest.
Oh, good...I'm only SLIGHTLY annoying. (They deserve it, anyway.)

If your actions match three to five of these statements... take heed.
You are on your way to becoming the source of many an eye roll.
If you do six or more of these on a regular basis... chances are you are already on the office watch list and have been anointed by your co-workers as annoying.
It's time to do a reality check and make some changes.
Ask your boss and colleagues for feedback, and be ready to listen.
If what you hear doesn't fit your self-image, ask them to help you understand what they are saying by giving examples.
You might say: "Tell me more about what I do that leads you to believe that."
Then listen, without arguing, defending or justifying your actions.
Remember, there are countless ways to aggravate co-workers -- you can even annoy them by trying too hard to please or being too nice!
As long as you avoid the aforementioned behaviors, use your energy for the good of the organization and treat others as you would like to be treated, you should be all right.
And remember, it's perfectly OK to annoy others sparingly. It reminds them that you still exist!
Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Other CareerBuilder writers contributed to this story.


If you’re actually looking TO annoy your co-workers…try this. (SO Funny!)