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9 Ways You've Been Pissing Off Your Co-workers Without Knowing It

9 Ways You've Been Pissing Off Your Co-workers Without Knowing It
It all boils down to this: Just be considerate.
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It all boils down to this: Just be considerate.

In the workplace, there are some obvious cardinal sins: taking credit for someone else’s work, blaming others for your own mistakes, flubbing important deadlines or engaging in any type of abusive behavior, sexual or otherwise.

But there are also some seemingly harmless things you might be doing that could be eroding the once-positive relationship you had with your colleagues. That’s why we asked experts to reveal the bad workplace behavior you need to eradicate ASAP.

1. You come to work sick

“It may seem heroic to come to work when you’re under the weather yet still able to persevere. But many co-workers will find that annoying, to say the least. And for some people, it could be downright dangerous if they are coping with an autoimmune condition or live with loved ones whose immune systems are compromised. If you are sick, see if you can work from home remotely, or just take the time you need until you feel better.” ― Alena Gerst, psychotherapist

2. You microwave your stinky leftovers in the office kitchen

“Some smells are offensive. When you use the office microwave to heat up an especially malodorous food, like fish, co-workers can be annoyed. One workplace I recall banned microwaveable popcorn altogether because employees were regularly nauseated by the unpleasant smell of burnt popcorn permeating surrounding workspaces.

The tip here is to keep in mind that we’re all working in close proximity and chances are we each have very different preferences, interests and habits. Be aware of those around you and bring your best self to the office. Your co-workers will notice and appreciate it.” ― Teresa Marzolph, founder of the HR consulting firm Culture Engineered

3. You suck up to your boss and other higher-ups