The Seven Most Annoying Coworkers

By Accountemps

Nearly every employer places a premium on “people skills,” making it more important than ever to know how to get along with a diverse mix of colleagues. Unfortunately, not all employees understand that certain vexing habits are almost universally annoying.

Following are seven workers whose irritating behaviors and irksome attitudes could get in the way of their ability to advance:

The Naysayer. This negative and dismissive office dweller delights in shooting down good ideas. Even during “blue sky” brainstorming sessions where all suggestions are to be contemplated with an open mind, the Naysayer will immediately pooh-pooh any remotely innovative proposal that challenges the status quo.

The Spotlight Stealer. There is definitely an “I” in team according to this glory hog, who fuels ill will by consistently trying to take full credit for collaborative efforts. Shameless in his attempts to impress higher-ups, this overly ambitious corporate climber never heard a good idea he wouldn’t pass off as his own.

The Buzzwordsmith. When speaking or writing, the Buzzwordsmith sacrifices clarity in favor of showcasing her expansive vocabulary of clichéd business terms. This ineffective communicator loves to utilize — never just use — industry-specific jargon and obscure acronyms that confuse more often than they clarify. Favorite buzzwords include synergistic, actionable, monetize and paradigm shift.

The Hobbyist. Hobbies can be good for your career. In fact, more than two-thirds of executives polled by our company said employees who are passionate about outside interests are more effective on the job. The Hobbyist, however, leaves team members in the lurch by letting leisure pursuits interfere with professional obligations. Whether it’s cycling or sewing, hobbyists spend most of the day discussing or researching favorite pastimes instead of doing actual work.

The Inconsiderate E-mailer. Addicted to using the “reply all” function, this chronic “Cc” abuser clogs colleagues’ already-overflowing inboxes with unnecessary messages. This person also marks less-than-critical e-mails as “high priority” and sends enormous attachments that crash your computer.

The Interrupter. The Interrupter has little regard for others’ peace, quiet or concentration. When he’s not barging into your work area to demand your help, he’s in meetings loudly tapping on his laptop, fielding calls on his iPhone or initiating off-topic side conversations.

The Stick in the Mud. Having a sense of humor and being able to laugh at yourself can help you build rapport with coworkers, boost morale and alleviate tension when working under stressful situations. This fact is lost on the rigid Stick in the Mud, who is all business all of the time. Disapproving of any attempt at levity, the constant killjoy doesn’t have fun at work and doesn’t think anyone else should either.