Colleagues not pulling their weight voted most annoying thing at work
Posted 29th October 2024 • Written by acas.org.uk • • • • • •
People not doing their jobs properly would be the number one most annoying thing at work, according to a new survey.
The YouGov survey, commissioned by workplace expert Acas, asked employees to think about things they would find annoying at work.
Two thirds (66%) of respondents said people not doing their job properly, while more than half said wrong information (56%) and being micromanaged (52%).
Annoying workplace behaviours can have a negative impact on relationships, productivity and can lead to workplace disputes.
Acas Director of Dispute Resolution Kate Nowicki said:
"Workplace relationships can sometimes deteriorate, and this can be prompted by all sorts of things.
"Whether it is lack of clarity or recognition, a personality clash or something else, these bad behaviours may seem relatively minor, but they can have a cumulative and detrimental effect on people at work.
"When a relationship breaks down, it can be difficult or even impossible for a workplace to function. This can increase stress, impact productivity and may ultimately lead to bullying or harassment claims.
"If that happens, Acas mediators can help workers find their voice and resolve differences without the cost and stress of more formal procedures such as an employment tribunal."
Acas's mediation service is a way of mending relationships at work. It is held by an impartial mediator who does not take sides and works to find a solution everyone can agree to.
Mediation is not about judging who is right or wrong. It aims to find working solutions to disagreements and is voluntary, confidential, flexible, less formal and not usually legally binding.
Acas can supply independent and impartial mediators who work with everyone involved to help solve workplace disagreements. In 2019 to 2020, 76% of Acas-led mediations were fully or partially resolved.
Acas also offers a 5-day, accredited Certificate in Internal Workplace Mediation training course. Acas has trained over 4,000 internal workplace mediators on how to confidently deal with disagreements at work, before they become bigger and more costly disputes.
Find out more about Acas mediation support
Background notes
1. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size for employers was 1,025 employees. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29 August to 9 September 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of British business size and region.
2. Participants were asked: Please think about whether you would find each thing annoying specifically at work, even if you have not experienced this or it is unlikely in your role, industry or work location. What are the things that you would find annoying if they happened at work? (Please select up to 5 behaviours that would annoy you at work).
3. The results were:
- When I don't get the information I need 56%
- When people don't listen to me 38%
- When I don't get credit for my work 39%
- When I'm micromanaged 52%
- When people don't respect me 42%
- When someone's not being a team player 38%
- When people don't include me 19%
- When other people don't do their jobs properly 66%
- When I'm given too much work to do 28%
- None of these 3%
- Don't know 1%
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