Your colleagues can make a world of difference when it comes to liking your job. Even if it’s not the right one for you, having nice people around makes it just a little bit more bearable. And vice versa, irritating co-workers can make you dread going to work, no matter how much you used to like it. Unfortunately, it’s usually difficult to go through life without meeting at least one of the latter kind.
When it comes to annoying colleagues, they find a million ways to get on people’s nerves. Some check how long it takes until someone else cleans up their mess in the kitchen or snaps about it. Others leave their belongings all over the place, or even create safety hazards for their fellow workers. We have found pictures covering all of that and more, showing just how frustrating some co-workers can be. Scroll down to find them and make sure to appreciate the people at your workplace that don’t do any of the things you see in these images.
In order to get a better understanding of how important relationships at work are and how they affect both the employees and the company, Bored Panda has reached out to Dr. Janice Presser, originator of Teaming Science and inventor of the technology that measures collaboration between team members. You will find her thoughts in the text below.
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My Coworker Crossed Out Holocaust Remembrance Day So I Erased The Line And Used Sharpies So It Bleeds Through The Whole Calendar. That Way She Never Forgets It
Most employees would likely agree that people you work with matter. Those who have ever worked with a friend, or at least a co-worker they get along well with, know that they often become more than just good company for lunch breaks, especially considering how much time we spend at work.
That’s also the reason why it might be so difficult to co-exist with colleagues you are not equally as fond of. Continuously dealing with their irritating ways can make even the most patient of people lose their cool. And that can be detrimental to both the employee and the business likewise.
Coworker Wants Me To Go Out And Get Her Dinner All Because She Had An Operation Only Two Weeks Ago
Could have understood if the operation was a hip replacement or something, but a fingernail? Yeah no!
My Coworker Ned Always Kicks My Ladder Over
That’s literally attempted murder, in my opinion. My dad fell off of a ladder (it was an accident) and sustained a catastrophic brain injury. I think people who mess around with/joke around with ladders are utter ässholes.
An architect of technology that measures collaboration in teams and an author, Dr. Janice Presser, pointed out that there’s nothing more annoying than someone who interferes with you doing your best job.
“It just distracts you and makes you part of the annoyance cycle,” she told Bored Panda. “You’ll end up annoying someone else, because you’re not focused on doing what needs to be done, and that will cause them to lose focus, and on and on and on.”
“If you’re spending your work time dreaming of getting revenge on your annoying colleagues, how will you ever be productive? And, all those unpleasant feelings carry over to your personal life,” she added.
My Mom Confronted Her Coworker About How She Parked On Top Of Her Car. She’s Claiming Not Only Is There Space Between, But Has Been Bullying Her Since
Her other coworker, who is friends with this one, claims there is space between too.
Gave A Coworker My Screwdriver (Not The Work's) To Use For Literally A Day And This Is How It Came Back
Dr. Janice Presser emphasized that the relationship between people at work is super important for two big reasons: “First is that at most jobs you need at least one other person to actually accomplish anything. Often one of you does the front end, while the other does the finishing. For example, one person loads the truck and another one makes sure the stuff gets to the right place.
“The second reason is that we spend so much time working, life is much more satisfying when we enjoy those interactions,” she said.
Inspired By The Other Cigarette Butt Post. I Give You My Coworkers
Why don't you just get an ashtray? Like those big ones that look like trashcans? And empty it every week?
My Coworker, Ladies And Gentlemen
My Colleague’s Desktop (She Says She Keeps Them There So She Remembers To Read Them)
Where I work, we've had to send out numerous messages along the line of "Desktop is not a storage device". However, one numbskull's manager paid the $AUD2,000 price for data recovery when her SSD crashed and burned and over 500Gb of data lost. Whether they learn from this, only time will tell. TL;DR - nobody listens or cares until the drive is fried and data lost.
Harvard Business Review (HBR) pointed out that we spend roughly nine years of our lives at work; that’s what makes having cordial colleagues all the more important. It also emphasized that maintaining good relationships with them is beneficial not only for the colleagues, but the business as well. According to HBR, having a close friend at work positively affects the company's profitability, safety, inventory control, and employee retention.
How My Coworkers “Clean” The Washrooms
Coworker Asked Me To Cover Her Shift Over A Week Ago And Now, The Day Before, Demands It Back
The Mess I Watched My Coworkers Left. To Those Of You That Say I Should Have Cleaned It Up, I Am Not Cleaning Someone’s Mess On My 20-Minute Break
Harvard Business Review also revealed that colleagues who are on good terms tend to be more committed, they communicate better and encourage each other more. In addition to that, they provide much-needed social interaction, whether it’s face-to-face or remotely (which was especially important during the pandemic). HBR pointed out that such employees are more likely to recommend their workplace to others, less inclined to leave, and showcase a higher overall satisfaction with the workplace.
A Coworker's New Ink
I Have A Coworker Who Glues Down Dollar Bills And Coins/Fake Coins And Laughs At Homeless People Struggling To Pick Them Up
An Old Coworker Thought This Was A Good Idea For Halloween
Expert of collaboration in teams Dr. Janice Presser told Bored Panda that good relationships at work sometimes also develop as a “side effect” when employees are encouraged to work on what they like and do best.
“The one piece of advice I’ve given every business leader I’ve ever worked with to improve their organization is this: people do best what they like best, and they like best what they do best,” the expert said. “Try reconfiguring what you need done so that everyone gets to do what they like. Every. Single. Day. The side effect will be an increase in collegial cooperation, synergy, and your bottom line.”
I Work With Savages
Apparently, people at this business can't/ don't care. And they don't read well
2nd Time My Coworker Has Had To Ask People Not To Eat Her Lunch Out Of The Fridge. We Have No Clue Who’s Doing It
I kind of wish I was still working retail, now that I have my puppy, who is a GSD mix who leaves BIG DOG-sized poops. I’d wrap one up all nice and put it in an (old) lunch bag and leave it in the breakroom fridge for the lunch thief we had at my store XD
This Coffee Cup My Boyfriend's Colleague Uses
A collegue of mine was infamous for things like this. Once he left a half-full capuccino cup on his desk and went on a two-week vacation. As his desk was more or less a biological warfare zone, noone dared to touch it. When he came back, he took the cup first thing in the morning and put it under the coffee machine - without even clearing out the mold. A bit strange to work with - but his immune system was top notch.
Data provided by Wildgoose revealed that nowadays employees prioritize happiness over salary, and nearly 60% of them agree that having a “work best friend” makes the job more enjoyable. Just over 20% of employed people say that such a colleague makes them more productive and more creative as well.
What A Wonderful Day For Malicious Compliance
At the counter where I work, there's a box of Kleenex. I used a couple yesterday to blow my nose, and they turned out to be the last two. The person I share a chair with (he on days, me on nights) left me another of his sparkling notes I get if a pen was left 2° out of alignment. Apparently, he was kvetching all day over it. I decided, well, I did use some, so I must fix this.
This is another one I'm on the fence about. If the person was paying for their own tissues and you just grab them whenever you want? And then take the last couple and do nothing about it. Yeah they're probably right to feel a bit grumpy. If they're company supplied, well it would have been nice to replace the box but not a big deal.
This Guy Always Comes Into My Work And Asks My Married Coworker For Her Number
So he's stalking her? Was anyone planning on involving the police at some point, preferably before he steps it up a notch?
The Way My Colleague Leaves The Sink Every Time
Wildgoose also pointed out that as much as 15% of those surveyed admitted they don’t have a friend at work even though they’d like to. Another survey found that not all employees are equally willing to make friends with their colleagues; some would rather leave the company altogether. Fast Company revealed that as much as one in three workers have considered quitting because of a co-worker they can’t stand.
My Coworker Puts His Coffee Creamer In Breast Milk Bags In The Common Fridge
A Department Manager Did This To My Bike When I Had It In The Back For A Single Day
I would send this to your manager's boss and ask, "Is this what you're paying them to do?" Because it looks like they have way too much time on their hands and maybe also need a drug test.
The Staff Microwave At My Work After Hiring A Bunch Of 15-Year-Olds With No Manners
The situations captured in these pictures are likely to be the reasons some people hate their co-workers. Having to clean up others’ messes at work, whether quite literally or not, is tiresome and annoying at best. It’s also quite disrespectful towards the colleagues, which doesn’t really help with building the foundation for a friendship as well.
The People I Work With
Not a terrible way to store it to be fair. Keeps it mostly sealed until someone needs one and it's in the right place.
I Let My Coworker Borrow A Drill Bit And This Is How He Returned It
How long did he have it? Because this is only acceptable if he had it for at least 2 months.
I don't loan tools, period. I don't even like it when my husband uses them. He's never destroyed one, but he rarely ever puts them back where they belong, either.
Anything I have ever lent to someone has either never been returned, or was returned unusable. I do not lend anything to anyone anymore.
I think he did it on purpose! If Im not mistaken, thats cobalt and can drill through tough metals... :D
My Coworker Always Sits Like This In My Work Truck
The infuriating colleagues responsible for these pictures are far from the only annoying employees people have to deal with. If you’d like to see proof of that, browse these lists previously shared by Bored Panda of people having a miserable day thanks to their evil co-workers or of people who are not meant to work with others at all.
If you’re looking for something more positive, click here for some actually wholesome things co-workers do for one another.
Messages From A Coworker That I Hadn't Seen Or Talked To In A Year And A Half
I'm A Hairstylist And My Coworker Cut My Hair Today
I trust her and I didn’t look at the back until later. I don't know what happened, she is usually very good. My boyfriend said I must have pissed her off to deserve this.
My Coworkers Are Built Different
I Love My Job And The People I Work With
I Work With The Best And Brightest
A Coworker Broke The Break Room Microwave By Zapping A Camera. When Confronted He Said He Was “Making A Troll Post”
The Way My Coworker Saves Gum
My Coworkers Open A Water Bottle And Just Put It In The Fridge Without Labeling It. There’s So Much Wasted Water
The Keyboard That I Have To Use Was Passed Down To Me By The Previous Technician
My Coworkers Are Too Lazy To Replace The Trash Bags
Former Coworker Asks For Theme Park Tickets In A Birthday Text. Classy
“On a totally different note” = “the only reason I’m talking to you at all”
Cleaned This Car 3 Weeks Ago Inside Out. This Is How My Coworker Left It When He Went For Holiday
At least they didn’t just chuck it out of the window, I guess…? That’s as positive as I can make this 🤨
I (30-Year-Old Male) Participated In Secret Santa At Work, Asked For Sport Equipment, Got This Instead
I'd say being able to walk like that is an Extreme Sport!
Boss Brought In A Few Cinnamon Rolls To Share. One Of My Coworkers Did This
The Way My Coworker Makes Up Boxes
This way yo can know what's inside and no one will know that you opened them.
The Way My Coworker Opens The Resealable Bags
my roommate constantly does this even after pointing out that it comes in a resealable bag!
Old Coworker Of Mine Bashed Me For Getting A New Job And Now Wants My Employee Discount
No means no. I had people expect free healthcare for their animals like I had some kind of control over it. SMH.
My Coworkers Left The Dumpster Area Like This. Help Me Come Up With An Angry, Yet Professional Message For The Group Chat
“Which of you guys brought your toddlers to work with them?… no one? You ADULTS left the dumpster looking like a toddler’s playroom?”
Waxed The Floors Yesterday, And Today Coworkers Took The Lift Out Through The Gym When There Is Another Way Out
How My Coworker Eats His Pizza
What Kind Of Monster Do I Work With That Leaves A Single Slice Of Cheesecake And Cuts Into A New One
Person Complains About Coworker Buying Plain/Glazed Donuts To Work As A Gift Instead Of Frosted Ones
A Colleague Went On Holiday And Left His Drink For Us To Clean Up Days Later
My Coworker Drags The Front Of His Foot When He Walks
Note: this post originally had 96 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
I discovered that even working at home doesn't save you from a*****e co-workers. When I go to get coffee one steals my chair. Another keep demanding a lot of attention, constantly breaking my concentration. The third only pretends to work but in reality he's playing games. Their only redeeming quality is their fur.
Sounds absolutely horrible. I'll sacrifice myself and take them instead if u would like
Load More Replies...
Had an ahole of a workmate who would know I had to do dishes by hand (very few dishes available and used repeatedly through the day. There was no hot water, so I would fill the kettle, boil it, and repeat (adding a bit of cold water so i didn't boil my hands) until I had a sink full. Guaranteed every single time, this b***h would dump her half eaten tuna can into my clean water or wait until I was away from the sink for few minutes and throw food covered plates into it. Nothing stopped her. It was her entitlement according to her. She would also stuff up the computers at work, often getting viruses from bringing in memory sticks from home. Then after everything was fixed, she'd just do it again and claimed ignorance. I swear I should have pissed on her seat when I left.
To whomever has to work with my eldest godson in the US Air Force: I am so very, very, very sorry. Then again, you may also be a flat-earther. In which case, I am still very sorry, but mostly for the US Air Force, which really ought to screen for these things. (No, just b/c maps are flat doesn't mean the world is. Ai yi yi)
Tell him to steal a plane and fly to the border of the earth and take photos. That will show us.
Load More Replies...
Some of these people are beyond rude. But others are just expressing their personal choices. It's really not your business if someone else's coffee mug is dirty or if they put milk in a breast milk baggie.
The posts on here with people being contacted by colleagues or former colleagues is precisely why I never give my contact details to anyone. Obviously, management have them on file but no one else.
Had a colleague who constantly complained about a sloppy roommate and his battles to said roommate to clean up. Ironically he left a mess in the common area a few days later, so a couple of us left a note that his roommate didn't work there and he'd have to clean it up himself.
I gave up on this list because like 90% of it was bad supervision, or even worse company management. Most of what I saw wouldn’t fly even once at my business. It would be a termination no matter how thinly valid. Ir would also cause a 2-hour, all staff meeting to go over the ridiculousness along with an employee agreement addendum. Luckily, like most businesses, I’ll never have to deal with this c**p thanks to my assuredness in who we hire.
I discovered that even working at home doesn't save you from a*****e co-workers. When I go to get coffee one steals my chair. Another keep demanding a lot of attention, constantly breaking my concentration. The third only pretends to work but in reality he's playing games. Their only redeeming quality is their fur.
Sounds absolutely horrible. I'll sacrifice myself and take them instead if u would like
Load More Replies... Had an ahole of a workmate who would know I had to do dishes by hand (very few dishes available and used repeatedly through the day. There was no hot water, so I would fill the kettle, boil it, and repeat (adding a bit of cold water so i didn't boil my hands) until I had a sink full. Guaranteed every single time, this b***h would dump her half eaten tuna can into my clean water or wait until I was away from the sink for few minutes and throw food covered plates into it. Nothing stopped her. It was her entitlement according to her. She would also stuff up the computers at work, often getting viruses from bringing in memory sticks from home. Then after everything was fixed, she'd just do it again and claimed ignorance. I swear I should have pissed on her seat when I left.
To whomever has to work with my eldest godson in the US Air Force: I am so very, very, very sorry. Then again, you may also be a flat-earther. In which case, I am still very sorry, but mostly for the US Air Force, which really ought to screen for these things. (No, just b/c maps are flat doesn't mean the world is. Ai yi yi)
Tell him to steal a plane and fly to the border of the earth and take photos. That will show us.
Load More Replies... Some of these people are beyond rude. But others are just expressing their personal choices. It's really not your business if someone else's coffee mug is dirty or if they put milk in a breast milk baggie.
The posts on here with people being contacted by colleagues or former colleagues is precisely why I never give my contact details to anyone. Obviously, management have them on file but no one else.
Had a colleague who constantly complained about a sloppy roommate and his battles to said roommate to clean up. Ironically he left a mess in the common area a few days later, so a couple of us left a note that his roommate didn't work there and he'd have to clean it up himself.
I gave up on this list because like 90% of it was bad supervision, or even worse company management. Most of what I saw wouldn’t fly even once at my business. It would be a termination no matter how thinly valid. Ir would also cause a 2-hour, all staff meeting to go over the ridiculousness along with an employee agreement addendum. Luckily, like most businesses, I’ll never have to deal with this c**p thanks to my assuredness in who we hire.
