More on Jerks in the Workplace

My blog on the subject touched a sensitive spot with those who perused it. Today as I was signing in for my email I noticed the results of a recent survey conducted by Ranstad USA. The survey tried to classify the type and degree of jerkness in the work place. Here are the highlights of the employees' pet peeves:

At the top of the list were the Psst-er (gossipers). Apparently nobody likes their rumor mongering and insiduous comments about co-workers' personal affairs.

Next, was the Broken Clock (poor time managers). They are always late to meetings. They miss deadlines and as a result often impact negatively the work of others and create resentment.

The Mold-Guy came next. He or she is like a mold, it grows all over and you cannot get rid of it. This type thrives in a messy workplace. The biggest offense is that this type tends to mess up the communal space. he or she often throws food in the waste basket where it stays for days.

The Wiffy-Wonder follows. You can smell this guy from the other side of the partition. His or her personal hygiene leaves a lot to be desired. In some cases, the odor is generated by the ethnic food they eat -- garlic, fish oil, and other pungent condiments. A shower and a frequent change of clothes could ameliorate the situation.

The Cracker is next. He or she is loud, likes to crack the knuckles, makes a racket when chewing gum, jingles the spoon in the coffee cup, etc. You know the kind! He or she is totally oblivious to the irritation they generate.

Last, but not least, comes the Tapper. Quiter than the cracker but not that much less of an irritant. Tappers are always tapping, on their computers, on the PDAs, and on their communication devices. They do this during meetings. They are seen as rude, distracting by others.

Where do you fit in?

I think that I might on occasion dable in Cracking, not so much my knuckles but the spoon in the tea cup, and when on I choose to chew gum.

The report highlights some positive aspects to all the peeves. They serve to unite the work group against the bothersome interloper. They bring the group together more or less. They also wake people up to the notion that it might be time to look for a better job in a better work setting. They might stimulate some hidden entrepreneurial instinct to start our own business so that we can have the luxury of picking our own co-workers.

Enjoy your trip along the learning curve! Things could get worse before they get better. Watch out for jerks. They are everywhere.