7 Things That Will Make Your Colleagues Hate You

7 Things That Will Make Your Colleagues Hate You7 Things That Will Make Your Colleagues Hate YouDo you work in an open workspace? If so, make sure youre not guilty of these highly annoying behaviors.The collaborative workspace is still a hot trend among creative firms and departments. The belief is that an open office configuration will facilitate spontaneous sharing, brainstorming and problem solving once the physical barriers between coworkers are removed. And while many people love the teamwork and creativity fostered by a collaborative workspace, the setup also poses some interrolleal challenges. Here are seven annoying behaviors to avoid at all costs1. Yapping loudly on the phoneNoise is generally a top complaint about collaborative workspaces. And while its OK to take a quick (and quiet) call at your desk, try to find a private place to chat if youve scheduled a call that will take longer. If an impromptu conversation lasts more than a few minutes, ask the person if you can mov e to another area and call them back to finish the discussion. Also, steer clear of the concentration-killing speakerphone when in an open setting.2. Getting personalIn the same vein, make sure your personal calls remain, well, personal. Yes, its fine to accept a short call from your spouse confirming that youll pick your kid up from daycare, but keep longer and more personal calls private if you must take them at work. Nobody wants to hear about your medical test results or your back-and-forth with your kooky landlord.3. Shooting the breezeThe same goes for face-to-face conversations with coworkers, including those with whom youre chummy. While a little chitchat can build camaraderie, keep the non-work-related banter in check. In a collaborative workspace, the noise from side conversations is particularly distracting and could fuel resentment from colleagues who feel like youre slacking off. Save the talk of politics and pop culture for coffee breaks, lunch or a happy hour.GET OUR WORKPLACE HAPPINESS REPORT4. Stinking things upDid you bring in a leftover garlic-infused pasta dish? Eat it in the lunchroom, not at your desk. Did you commute to work on your bike in 90-degree heat? Consider keeping some extra deodorant and body wipes at the office. That said, keep the toenail clippers at home.5. Snacking with abandonSome people in a collaborative workspace are driven to rage by repetitive sounds such as gum cracking, chip crunching and bag crinkling. If you like to snack at your desk, be aware of the noise youre making and how distracting it may be to others.6. Spreading germsIn a first-person article about the problems with the open-office model, Washington Post contributor Lindsey Kaufman said this of her collaborative workspace Last flu season took down a succession of my coworkers like dominoes. Sound familiar?While people working in any office environment should exercise good habits like hand washing and cough covering, those practices are especially critica l in a collaborative workspace where there are no barriers to contain germs. Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer nearby - and always dispose of dirty tissues immediately. And if youre sick, dont go into the office. (Read this deutsche post ag if you need more convincing about the importance of staying home when youre contagious.)7. Tuning outWhile many creative professionals feel energized by listening to music, constantly wearing headphones is akin to donning a do not disturb sign around your neck. But your coworkers need to know when its OK to talk to you. To curb the confusion, come up with a way to indicate when you can - and cant - be disturbed. It may be as easy as posting a sign when youre in the zone and want to be left alone.Whether you like your collaborative workspace or not, the concept seems to be here to stay. Practicing a little extra self-awareness and courtesy could go a long way toward improving the situation for all involved. If youre searching for a new job, remem ber to consider a potential employers office environment and overall company culture. These things matter. For more on this topic, check out our post on the 7 Elements of a Highly Creative Work Environment.