Coworkers

No matter how long the list of careers, there is nothing worse than having a co-worker who has an annoying habit. This can happen in any industry. While some people are very in-tune with how their behavior and actions affect others, there are many people who just don’t seem to “get it.” They talk so loud that everyone in the office can hear their conversations, they wear perfume that smells strong and pollutes the air, and they invade their co-workers’ personal space. The Most Important Etiquette Rules to Follow at Work Volume Control: If you are in a cubicle or in an open area, keep your voice down. This includes phone conversations as well as in-person conversations. Not only might you be revealing confidential information to co-workers without realizing it, your loud voice is probably disrupting the productivity of others working in your area. Your Personal Life: You might have some friends in your office who like to hear about your personal life, but the majority of your … [Read more...] about Office Etiquette Involves Showing Respect to Co-Workers

Bosses Day 2012 is quickly approaching. Are you ready? If you dislike your boss, you may dread the annual day honoring the undeserving manager. While you may be tempted to overlook the occasion to symbolize your feelings, the snub could end up being a dire mistake. The following are four reasons why recognizing Boss's Day in at least a minor way is better than doing nothing. Be the Bigger Person Snubbing your boss on their day of honor won’t go unnoticed. Even if you’ve been battling incessantly with management, set the issues aside and be the bigger person at least for this one day. Showing that you can recognize the boss even in the midst of conflict proves your worth for future leadership positions and may just lead the path towards a less complicated future with your boss. Keep Your Job While you may not like your boss, the job market may be a little slim, making it unlikely you’ll find immediate employment elsewhere. Not recognizing your boss on Boss’s Day could pave the path … [Read more...] about Bosses Day 2012: Honoring a Boss You Dislike

When I'm searching for a gift for coworkers or just want to put something on my desk that will get the office talking, Uncommon Goods is often my first stop. The Brooklyn-based retailer specializes in unique gifts and creative finds.  With super customer service, speedy shipping, and a commitment to sustainability, this is a local company that Jobacle can proudly support and recommend. They were also able to help me with a serious problem: Stapler malfunctions. I hate staplers.  Maybe it's my heavy hand.  Maybe it's bad luck. Whatever the case, I can never seem to get the staple in the way I want it. That of course is assuming the darned thing isn't jammed or empty. The solution? Staple-less staplers. Not only do they look cool on my desk, but they ensure that I will never run out of stapling power.  The ingenious manual gadget keeps papers together by punching a small hole and folding a small flap for secure binding. Simple…yet brilliant! The "stapler" works … [Read more...] about Do You Hate Staplers As Much As I Do?

Since you spend the majority of each week at work, forming bonds with others in the workplace is natural. Consider yourself particularly lucky if you found a coworker with common interests and who you can now call a true friend. Unfortunately, things change in the workplace and employees often quit. If a close coworker friend is the one currently leaving the company, you may be feeling a little disoriented. The following are four tips for dealing with the departure in the best manner. Form Other Friendships A great way to deal with the departure of a coworker friend is to begin forming other friendships in the workplace. Your previous close bond with the coworker who quit may have actually been holding you back from getting to know others in your department. By learning more about other coworkers now, the department may not have as strong of an impact. Review Your Job Are you sad because a favorite coworker left or are you bitter because you weren’t the first one to leave … [Read more...] about How to Deal When a Favorite Coworker Quits

Working alongside other people can be a great experience but it can also bring its fair share of difficulties for many people. Firstly, let's have a look at the main types of annoying co-workers: The Gossip A little harmless discussion about current events in the workplace is one thing, but working with someone who likes to share everyone else’s business and their opinions on it, can be a real drain. You will need to learn how to avoid gossip to stay clear of this one!   The “Smelly Food” Eater Of course, we all have different tastes in food, but in the workplace it is worth thinking about how what you are eating and drinking will affect those around you. An egg sandwich now and then might be forgiven, but you don’t want to be known as the colleague with smelly food!   The Noisy Colleague When you are working in a shared environment, an awareness of your behaviors and noise levels on those around you is necessary. If you work with … [Read more...] about Dealing with an Annoying Co-Worker

“I can’t believe they said that!” This is something you don’t want your co-workers saying about you… but chances are, someone’s said it about you at one point or another. While many no-no’s at work are obvious (e.g. “You’re the worst boss ever!”) even seemingly harmless phrases can come back at you with a vengeance. Below are seven common phrases you should never, ever say at work… #1. “That’s not my job.” Ugh. You may as well say “I’m not going to help you unless I absolutely have to.” The truth is, people approach you for a reason: they either want your input or genuinely need your help. In either case, use this opportunity to show you’re ready to help. And who knows? They may return the favor down the line… #2. “How did they get promoted?” Even if your boss is worse than Alec Baldwin in 30 Rock, keep it to yourself. Spreading negative opinions about others make you look unprofessional and (even worse) bitter. However, you should mention their shortcomings during performance … [Read more...] about 9 Things Your Co-Workers Hate to Hear

Wouldn’t it be nice if it was acceptable to simply slap a piece of duct tape over the mouth of the office complainer? Of course, then you would have to fasten their hands together so the tape couldn’t be removed, which means you would likely end up having to do their job too! Clearly, duct tape is not the best solution. Still, no one wants to listen to whining or complaining. Not to mention, negativity is contagious, and even if you don’t catch it, others in the office might! Does Ignoring Work? Although it can be tempting to ignore them and hope they lose interest and go away, they are not a bee, and they typically will not lose interest. In fact, studies show that constant complainers are often motivated to complain more when they feel as though their concerns are being dismissed. While you may think you are doing the right thing, you are simply adding fuel to the fire. You don’t want to be responsible for the explosion, do you? Listen Sometimes, a complainer … [Read more...] about Handling the Office Complainer

It struck me the other day that once again, it’s a good thing I work from home. It was 3:30 p.m. and I was still in pjs. I WAS working, but if I worked in an office environment it wouldn’t fly. Especially as businesses are still enamored with the open floor plan concept, there’re quite few things I’d have to worry about besides my work attire. Yes, the “open office” creates the illusion of more personal work space, but what about privacy and distractions? PrivacyIf you’re still working in a cubicle environment, you may feel it shrinking as companies look to save money. But at least you can pretend you have a private space when you have a little four-foot high wall between you and the co-workers. You probably still have to find a conference room to make a personal call (or at least I hope you do), though. Think about how creepy it would be if your open office layout allowed everyone to know your business – with other people, like your boss … [Read more...] about The Open Floor Plan – But Not at Work

Dealing with negative people can be a challenge, especially if they are also your co-worker! We can usually choose to spend less time or walk away from negative people but at work, it isn’t always that easy. Don’t Get Dragged Down If you have a negative co-worker or co-workers, it can take some will power to resist being pulled into their negativity but it is important to try to stay positive. The people we spend time with each day can have a big impact on our mood and outlook so being aware of this influence can help to choose who we associate with and spend time with wisely. You may not be able to eliminate all contact with a negative co-worker but keeping your contact professional and to a minimum can help you to stay positive and on top of your work. Ditch Complaining You could create your own rule to ditch complaining. Most people enjoy complaining to some degree, but if we allow it to, negativity can become a bad habit that is draining for you and those around you. Ditching … [Read more...] about How To Deal With A Negative Co-Worker

A coworker approaches. The glossy catalog and order form in his hand betray his intentions: He wants you to buy something for his kid’s fundraiser. What is it this time? Candy bars, candles, wrapping paper? Whatever it is, you’re sure of one thing: You don’t want it. Don’t wait until it’s too late to figure out how you’ll fend off a fundraising coworker. If you don’t know in advance how you’ll decline to buy, there’s a good chance you’ll get caught off guard and end up making a purchase. Consider the following as you prepare to repulse a coworkers’ sales pitch. 1. White Lie A white lie is the easiest way of getting out of buying what a workplace fundraiser is selling (or getting out of pretty much anything else, really). Create a plausible, simple story. For instance, say you already bought stuff from a neighbor’s kid and, sorry, one purchase is your limit. Or … money is tight right now, just don’t have the disposable income these days (and that’s not necessarily a fib given the … [Read more...] about 4 Ways to Fend Off Fundraising Coworkers