“Devious Lunch Revenge: How I Turned My Office Kitchen into a Culinary Trap!”
A recent survey carried out by Kickresume found that a life without an aggravating coworker is something few people have experienced. According to the survey, as much as 85% of employed individuals have had an experience with someone annoying at work. Just over six in ten shared having faced annoying behavior directly in the office. Unsurprisingly, nearly as many people believe that annoying coworkers significantly impact their productivity; and it’s safe to assume that they don’t impact it in a positive way.
When certain coworkers make other people’s lives needlessly difficult, it’s not uncommon for them—and might even be advisable—to address the issue with their superior. After all, managing people is usually part of their job description.
“Superiors need to help create norms in the workplace of treating each other with respect. That is their job,” Dr. West said, adding that they should make sure that the same way people don’t steal ideas and credit and petty cash, they shouldn’t steal food, either.
“We take food theft at work lightly, but I do think it’s a sign of character. Imagine, for a moment, that you went on a date with someone and found out that they were a chronic food stealer,” West suggested. “Would you go out with them again? Or you were interviewing someone for a job. Would you hire them? I wouldn’t. This is one of those small behaviors worth a thousand words.”
Dr. Robertson seconded the idea that it is imperative that the supervisors take an active interest in the problem, which should include taking steps to identify the perpetrator—if not known—and to punish them (when identified). “Failure to do so will likely contribute to negative attitudes about the supervisor and maybe even the organization as a whole,” he added.
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