What do you think annoys your boss the most? Frequent tardiness, sloppy attire, or bad attitude? The list could be endless! However, a new survey—released by Office Team—showcases what really annoys your boss, at least when it comes to the physical workspace.
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More than half of senior managers surveyed (54%) say their direct reports’ messy desks are the most annoying part of employees’ workspace. In stark contradiction, 10% of respondents say that a workspace that is too bare or clean actually raises red flags while 15% say having too many knickknacks or decorations is annoying.
The survey also asked respondents, “Have you ever seen an inappropriate or offensive item or decoration in an employee’s workspace?” Only 15% of respondents say that they have seen offensive or inappropriate items on an employee’s desk—and of these respondents, 21% say this annoys them most.
“Your workspace is a reflection of you. Keep it tidy and make sure there isn’t anything on display that might cause others to question your professionalism,” says Brandi Britton, a district president for OfficeTeam, in a press release of the survey findings. “Showing a little personality on your desk is fine, but don’t go overboard. You want to stand out for your positive attributes, not the messy state of your office or work area.”
Since spring has finally sprung, you may want to consider giving your workspace an overhaul, however, don’t go too crazy … it could draw unwanted attention!
 Melissa Blazejak is a Senior Web Content Editor at BLR. She has written articles for HR.BLR.com and the HR Daily Advisor websites and is responsible for the day-to-day management of HR.BLR.com and HRLaws.com. She has been at BLR since 2014. She graduated with a BA of Science, specializing in Communication, from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2008. Most recently, she graduated in 2014 with a MS of Educational Technology. |