35 People Share Just How Annoying Their Coworkers Really Are

As is normal, folks often take to the internet to share their gripes and frustrations with stuff, and coworkers, bosses and employees are no exception. The internet is all about catharsis, among other things.

In fact, 1 in 4 employees are said to have left work because of another coworker being an absolute pain. They probably also vented online. Probably.

CapRelo’s statistics continue to say that the worst traits coworkers could have are passive-aggression (33.7%), making excuses (18.4%), entitlement (15%), gossiping (14.6%) and control-freakishness (14.4%). Some also cited tardiness as a reason why they could potentially leave a job, though only nearly 4% said so, which likely means it’s more of a secondary reason.

Some of the aforementioned traits can be anxiety-inducing and considered a likely part of the reason why a bit over two thirds, or 72%, of Americans feel that whatever they were responsible for doing wouldn’t be done if they were to go on vacation or for whatever other incapacitating reason... Because it’s quite plausible that Tim is just a lazy son of a gun.

And if you’re wondering, yes, the stats also include favorable traits in coworkers, so let’s go find out who’s your work bestie.

35.9% of people said that a coworker should be collaborative, 22.1% wanted honesty from them, 14.6% of people said they should be adapting and 10.3% of folks demanded good communication from them. And, then there was the 1% that would’ve enjoyed it if their coworkers praised them to the managers.

A good way of mitigating the concentration of poor coworking fauna is remote work. And, no, it’s not necessarily because it creates an invisible wall that forces coworkers to mind their own beeswax instead of making polite conversation at the water cooler. In fact, for the most part, remote work has fostered a seemingly healthier boundary that helps manage coworkers in your general area.

In particular, 34% of remote workers in America have said that the option to work remotely has positively affected their work culture, with 33% also saying that remote work has made them feel more inclined to develop relationships with coworkers, and 18% said remote work has positively impacted their ongoing relationship with coworkers.

With that said, 65% of folks talk to their coworkers outside of work, 68% keep in touch with coworkers they’ve had in previous roles. That alone says that good coworkers are key in any company, but it gets better.

Nearly 4 in 5 Americans feel comfortable venting to their colleagues about work-related issues and nearly half would even be so bold as to vent about personal things too.

And if you’re wondering, the standoff of “fun to work with” versus “good at their job” view of coworkers among the different generations is progressively shifting. 84% of baby boomers think coworkers have to be good at their job, while Gen X, Gen Y (Millennials) and Gen Z respectively have 74%, 67% and 56%. So, you can see a gradual increase of employees who have more fun coworkers, competence kinda sorta be damned.

And (and), again, if you’re wondering, Vermont is the state considered to have the highest coworker ratings, scoring a 4.05 out of 5 with the worst being Nevada at 3.44.

So, if someone at work irks you, change can only be done through action, so be a good team player, and if that doesn’t work—quit. Because mental health is more important than training your tolerance levels.

So, what are your thoughts on any of this? Do you have some coworkers you have to grin at and bear with? Share your stories and takes in the comment section below!

And if you want some more coworker fails, the virtual door to the next article is open.