We’ve all been there. You’re sitting in your cubicle, working on a project, when you notice your coworker’s disgusting habit. Maybe they chew with their mouth open or talk on the phone while picking their nose. So gross! It’s hard enough to concentrate at work without having to see your colleague do something disgusting, but what can you do about it?
This blog post will discuss some of the most disgusting habits coworkers have and how you can address them.
Top 20 Most Common Disgusting Habits Your Coworkers Need to Stop Doing
Sometimes we end up with a coworker who has disgusting office habits. It’s understandable that a bad habit or two slips into the workplace with all our time with coworkers and bosses. However, a few disgusting habits seem to be common among many coworkers. Here are the top twenty disgusting things that your coworkers need to stop doing:
- Chewing with their mouth open
- Picking their nose
- Talking on the phone while using the restroom
- Eating pungent food at their desk
- Clipping their fingernails or toenails on their desk
- Eyebrow stringing each other
- Being a slob
- Frequently interrupting speakers during meetings
- Grooming in public view
- Having poor hygiene
- Being nosy
- Selling stuff to their coworkers
- Drinking on the job
- Playing music on a speaker rather than earbuds
- Having a dirty cubicle
- Leaving old food and drinks out
- Belching loudly without covering their mouth
- Cleaning their ears
- Flicking beard hair
- Cleaning their hairbrush on the floor
How do you address people’s disgusting workplace habit?
If you’re dealing with a coworker who has a disgusting habit, the first thing you need to do is determine the best way to address the issue. It might be best to talk to your coworker privately about the issue in some cases. However, it might be better to speak to your boss or HR about the situation in other cases. Here are a few tips for addressing disgusting office habits:
Talk to Your Coworker Privately
If you have coworkers with a disgusting habit, the best way to address it is to talk to them privately about it. You don’t want to make them feel uncomfortable in front of their peers, so try to talk to them when they’re alone or in a small group. Let them know that their habit is bothering you and see if they’re willing to work on changing it. If they’re not willing to change, you may need to consider finding a new job.
How to Talk to Your Boss or HR
If you’ve tried talking to your coworker about their disgusting habit and they’re unwilling or unable to change, then you may need to bring it up with your boss or HR.
However, you want to make sure that you have all your ducks in a row before doing so. First, try documenting the instances of the disgusting habit and how it’s affecting your work.
You may also want to talk to other coworkers affected by the habit. Then, once you have a solid case, go to your boss or HR and let them know what’s going on. They should be able to help get the situation resolved.
Ways to Avoid Being the Coworker With a Disgusting Habit
Nobody wants to see their coworkers doing disgusting things, but sometimes bad habits slip into the workplace. Here are a few ways to avoid bringing your disgusting habits to the office:
- Avoid eating smelly food at work
- Stay away from cigarettes and other tobacco products
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid touching your face
- Keep your desk clean and organized
When coworkers bring their disgusting habits to the office and put them on display for all to see, the office can become a gross place. However, it’s understandable that a bad habit or two slips into the workplace with all the time we spend with them.
These are some of the most disgusting habits coworkers have subjected their cubicle mates to and ways you can address them. Do you have a coworker who is guilty of any of these disgusting workplace habits? If so, try one of the methods mentioned in this article to address them. Of course, nobody wants to see their coworkers doing disgusting things, but by following these tips, hopefully, we can all avoid bringing our disgusting habits to work.
Share your story of the most disgusting habits you’ve seen your coworkers bring to the office in the comments below!
