By: Natasha Archary
From all out office wars over shared communal space, or the temperature setting on the air-con, to not cleaning up after yourself when using the office bathroom, here are some of the things people do at work, that they wouldn’t do at home.
Lack of privacy in the work place can lead to friction amongst coworkers, whether intention or not.
Being in close proximity to people you work with can sometimes mean an invasion of your personal space, violation of your boundaries, and overall disrespect of your time.
Leave a mess
Whether in the kitchen or bathroom, people tend to not clean up after themselves at the office because they feel there are cleaners around, so it’s okay.
It’s not. Common courtesy would be to wipe down surfaces after spilling something in the kitchen, and to leave the bathroom neat for the next person to use.
Taking something that’s not yours
At home, you’d either ask a family member before you can borrow or make use of something that’s not yours, so why don’t people do the same at the office?
Just because the space is shared, doesn’t mean personal items on your colleagues desks is yours to do with as you please.
Things like your colleagues moisturizer, sanitizer, tissues, or wet wipes, should not just be used without permission.
Also, if you are making use of them because your colleague has allowed you to, offer to replace the items when they run out.
Being loud
There’s nothing more annoying than colleagues having conversations either on the phone or with one another in loud tones while you’re trying to work.
Respect the communal office environment and either take your call elsewhere, or keep your tone down, so your coworkers can continue working with minimal distraction.
Eating at your desk
It’s rude to eat at your desk, especially when you’re eating something that has a strong smell, like fish or boiled eggs.
Rather have your lunch at the kitchen if you have one at the office, or cafeteria, or go outside for lunch and make use of the office park facilities, like a bench or garden.
Aircon
Every office must have at least one colleague who is always cold. Always. Regardless of the season or what the temperature is, because of this coworker, everyone else in the office has to suffer with the temperature set to Sahara desert level every day.
Understand that when you share a work space with a number of people in close proximity, it can get very stuffy in the office if it’s too hot.
Leave the temperature set to cool in summer and at a moderate temperature in winter.
Listen to the conversation on Kaya Drive:
Also read: Working parents are burnt out and feel unsupported by employers
