Most of us have encountered the infamous annoying coworker at some point in our careers. Whether it’s the loud talker or the gossip monger, these colleagues can actually make a significant dent in workplace productivity and morale.
With the aim of spotlighting daily office frustrations, Kickresume surveyed 2,894 employees to uncover the most annoying coworker behaviors and to understand how people manage — or wish they could manage — these workplace challenges.
Here's a quick snapshot of our findings:
- 85% have had an experience with an annoying coworker
- 62% have faced annoying behavior directly in the office
- Most of the survey respondents (33%) identified the credit stealer as the most bothersome office personality
- 58% feel that annoying coworkers significantly impact their productivity
- 32% prefer to deal with annoying colleagues by distancing themselves
- 41% wish they could tell their annoying coworker what they think about them, while some fantasize about more extreme measures, like getting them fired
- 53% of surveyed employees who experienced both the in-office and remote work believe that the latter has reduced annoying behavior
Survey reveals: 85% of employees have experienced an annoying coworker
A striking 85% of polled professionals revealed they've experienced the frustration of annoying office mates. This demonstrates just how common disruptive behaviors are, both in physical offices and virtual workspaces.
Nearly everyone has had to navigate these frustrations at some point, making it a shared experience that can shape how we view and approach our work setting.
On the other hand, there are still 15% of people who report they've never experienced annoying office behavior — perhaps they're just incredibly easy-going or have been exceptionally lucky.
Nevertheless, tackling these daily annoyances isn't just about making people more comfortable — it's about creating a more united, efficient, and pleasant workplace for everyone.
Meet your most irritating coworker: The credit stealer
In every workplace, there seem to be personalities that test our patience. And to understand which behaviors bother us the most, we asked our respondents to rate how much certain coworker traits annoy them on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most annoying. Our focus is on the traits that received the highest rating.
And so, here’s a closer look at the top 5 offenders and what makes them so irritating to work with:
- Credit stealer (33%): You put in the hard work, but someone else takes the glory. Credit stealers simply undermine team spirit and create an environment where people feel undervalued. This behavior not only annoys coworkers but can also create a toxic work environment where nobody feels safe to share innovative ideas.
- Micromanager (32%): Close behind the credit stealer, 32% of respondents marked micromanagers as the most irksome personality trait in the office. We all know that one person who just can't let go and constantly hovers over your work. It's hard to feel capable and motivated when someone is always second-guessing your every move. This kind of oversight often leads to resentment and can take a serious toll on productivity.
- Chronic complainer (30%): It surely looks like every team has that one person who can find a downside to even the best situations. Chronic complainers drain the team's energy and positivity. Their constant negativity can become infectious, spreading gloom and lowering overall morale.
- Personal space intruder (30%): Everyone values their personal space, especially in a busy office environment. Personal space intruders disrupt your sense of privacy and comfort. Whether they're hovering over your desk or listening in on private conversations, their behavior can make the workplace feel stressful and intrusive.
- Lunch thief (27%): It's hard to believe, some coworkers actually help themselves to their colleagues' food. The lunch thief doesn't just take your meal — they steal your trust and peace of mind. This inconsiderate behavior forces everyone to be more guarded, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and frustration. The sheer audacity of swiping someone else's lunch makes the lunch thief a particularly galling presence in the workplace.
So what really annoys workers? It all seems to boil down to a lack of recognition, trust, and respect. Creating a positive work environment means ensuring employees feel valued and respected. When these basic needs are met, they can perform at their best without any extra stress.
But to be fair, not all typically annoying colleagues get under our skin. Our survey reveals that some simply bother us the least — such as tech illiterates, late arrivers, and 'sick but shows up at work' types.
Tech illiterates, for instance, might slow things down, but their efforts to learn often earn them some slack. Even late arrivers, though they disrupt schedules, seem to be excused because we all understand the chaos of life.
And then there’s the ‘sick but shows up at work’ type. While their dedication is commendable, it often backfires, spreading more than just enthusiasm. It's a clear indication that sometimes, the best way to show you care is to take a sick day.
Where does the annoyance happen? No surprise – it’s in the office
According to our survey, 62% of respondents face annoying coworkers directly in the office, making it the top spot for these frustrations.
But it doesn’t end there. Bothersome colleagues will apparently find you whether you’re in the office or working remotely.
Written communication, such as emails and Slack messages, is a significant source of annoyance for 44% of employees. What’s more, annoying coworkers make even phone calls a bothersome experience for 37% of respondents, while 29% feel the same way about video calls.
These findings show that annoying behaviors aren't limited to any one setting, highlighting the need for better communication practices and conflict resolution techniques both in-person and online.
Remote work reduces annoying behaviors, but not everyone agrees
A significant 53% of those who have experienced both remote and in-office work said that remote work has decreased annoying behaviors. This practically suggests that being away from the physical office can offer some relief.
But while some are relieved, 20% believe that remote work has actually increased these frustrations, indicating that new annoyances can surface in online environments. The remaining respondents (27%) reported no significant change despite the shift to remote work.
Interestingly, across different age groups, the results were generally consistent with one noteworthy exception. A significant 33% of Gen Z employees believe that remote work has increased annoying behaviors.
This generation, many of whom began their professional journeys when the world was on lockdown, is more accustomed to virtual interactions. Without much in-office experience to fall back on, Gen Z workers might find the challenges of remote communication more frustrating, making virtual annoyances stand out even more.
Altogether, these mixed experiences of remote work point to the need for companies to tailor their communication and conflict resolution strategies to fit both remote and in-office settings.
For instance, regular check-ins, clear guidelines for virtual interactions, and training on managing remote work dynamics may help companies avoid annoying behaviors that hinder work performance.
How do workers cope with annoying office behavior? Avoid conflict and suffer in silence!
When faced with annoying office behavior, the majority of people — 32% to be precise — prefer to distance themselves from the culprit. This speaks volumes about our natural tendency to avoid confrontation and seek peace.
Tied at 17%, the bolder ones choose to directly ask the person to stop, while others simply ignore the issue altogether. Another 12% of respondents choose to vent to other coworkers, perhaps seeking solidarity or just a sympathetic ear.
Surprisingly, 12% actually report the behavior to a manager or HR, showing that while some have faith in formal complaint mechanisms, the majority still don’t. Meanwhile, 9% admit to getting passive-aggressive, a tactic that often stirs up even more tension.
And a mere 1% opted for other, more creative solutions, such as our survey respondent who puts on headphones to escape the chaos. This tiny fraction highlights a near-consensus on the ways we tackle these office irritations.
“The tendency to avoid direct confrontation shows a possible gap in communication training and conflict resolution resources in today's workplaces” says Peter Duris, CEO at Kickresume. “By addressing these gaps, companies could boost individual well-being and create a more supportive work environment.”
How do workers WISH to handle annoying colleagues? Speak up and settle!
Have you ever wondered how your colleagues secretly wish they could react to annoying coworkers? We asked in the name of both research and some good-natured curiosity, and here’s what they had to say:
An impressive 41% of the respondents wished they could address the issue head-on by telling their colleagues what they think about their behavior. This suggests a strong preference for straightforward communication, even if it's not often done.
A more hopeful 19% would rather adopt a passive approach, praying for their colleagues to change their ways. Meanwhile, 11% of the respondents are so frustrated that they'd prefer to see the troublesome coworker fired, highlighting the severity of their annoyance.
Social isolation was another strategy, with 10% opting to ostracize the offending coworker. And some respondents expressed a desire for more drastic measures, such as public humiliation (6%) or covertly damaging reputations (6%).
A small yet notable 5% even had thoughts of violence, but it’s reassuring that these remain just wishes rather than actions.
Now, a unique 2% mentioned other options, like suggesting quiet hours at work or hoping that after reporting an issue, the manager or HR actually takes action.
All in all, despite some of the harsher responses, it’s clear that many employees crave more effective and honest communication channels in the workplace. And it's high time for companies to foster a culture where open dialogue isn't just encouraged but expected.
Annoying coworkers are major productivity killers for 58%
We've all had those days when a coworker’s behavior gets under our skin. But how much does this really affect our productivity? According to the survey, the impact is quite serious for many people.
A striking 58% of respondents report being significantly affected by annoying behaviors at the office. This indicates that for more than half of employees, productivity takes a noticeable hit due to disruptive colleagues. Whether it’s loud talking, constant interruptions, or other bothersome habits, these distractions can seriously hinder focus and efficiency.
On the other hand, 29% of respondents fall into a moderately affected category. Although these employees experience some degree of disruption, it doesn’t completely derail their productivity. They might find ways to cope or work around the disturbances, but it still has an impact on their day.
Interestingly, 13% of survey participants reported minimal or no impact on their work performance. They manage to stay focused regardless of the office environment, showing resilience or perhaps having developed effective strategies to block out distractions.
Final thoughts
Our findings highlight a clear call to action for making our workspaces better. If a coworker's annoying behavior is killing your productivity, it's time to diplomatically bring it up with your manager or HR. Address the issue by explaining how these disruptions aren't just your personal peeve — they can actually affect the whole team's performance.
But there's another angle too — coaching. Sometimes the bothersome coworker might not even realize the impact they're having. It's important to understand that every employer has a responsibility to help their staff perform to the best of their ability while ensuring the workplace remains a pleasant environment for everyone.
Even some of the most annoying coworkers might become much easier to work with if management offered them professional coaching. This support can help them understand and adjust their behavior, benefiting the entire team.
Note
This anonymous online survey was conducted by Kickresume from May 24 to June 10 2024. We surveyed 2,894 participants globally to better understand the dynamics and impact of annoying coworker behaviors in the workplace. Most respondents were located in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia, and the majority of them were aged 25-44.
About Kickresume
Kickresume is an AI based career tool that helps candidates source jobs and raise salary with powerful resume and cover letter tools, skills analytics, and automated job search assistance. It already helped more than 5 million job seekers worldwide.
