Why Your Co-Workers May Not Like You

Each employee brings an element to the plot of life in the office.  Sometimes the stories are informative, interesting, funny and encouraging. At other times, the stories can be downright ugly. What part do you play in the story of your workplace? Do you feel like an outcast? You might be thinking that your co-workers don’t like you. Maybe they don’t but have you tried to figure out why? Instead of pulling away and sulking at your desk or lashing out every chance you get, look at what they may be seeing and not liking.   

 

You’re a know it all.

In conversations, are you always the one sounding the “But…” or the “Not only that” bell. Maybe your intention is to set the record straight, provide the facts or correct a common misconception. If you parade yourself as Ms. Know-It-All, you will bore your co-workers and they will ignore you. Although, you may know a lot about different topics, you don’t know everything. Every now and then, stand down, step back and let the conversation flow, erroneous and misguided as it might be.  Not that you want to be liked in the sea of error, but because you recognise that you may not always be right and even those who are wrong would just as soon live (quite contentedly) with their errors. In the end, you want to live/work in peace and harmony and to be available when co-workers want your opinion, because they know that although you are relatively silent, you are well-read and have a vast store of valuable and current information on all kinds of subjects. 

 

You’re untidy. 

Are your desk and surroundings untidy? Do you constantly leave coffee cups and lunchtime dishes in the sink? Your co-workers will tag you as a lazy and untidy person and they will be right. Make it a priority to keep your workspace organised and clean up after yourself.  

 

You talk too much

Do you saunter from desk to desk, cubicle to cubicle, forcing one-way conversations on your unsuspecting co-workers? If the only response you receive is, "Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh," then they're not interested in your blather. Now get back to work!

 

You suck up all the benefits.

Many companies offer benefits to employees. Kudos to them! However, by the time the memo reaches the last employee on the list, you have already applied for the new benefit. There is something to be admired about a worker who doesn’t take advantage of every benefit the company offers. 

 

You’re a hypocrite.

Do you stroll in late, take extra long lunches, and don't really start to roll-up your sleeves and dig into some serious work until about 2 p.m.? Then, do you make sure everyone sees you working past closing hours? You're not impressing anyone. Rather you're annoying those who already have put in a full day before you even got warmed up.

 

You can’t keep a secret.

Pity the poor colleague who dares to bare her soul to you. Sure, you listen attentively. You allow her to cry on your shoulder. You offer advice from your own life experiences and hold her hand as you walk her through solutions to her problems. All the while, you can hardly wait to spread the news of her anguish. While some co-workers may listen to gossip, don’t be fooled, they see you as a dangerous person. They are usually aware that any one of them could be your next victim.  

 

Do you recognise yourself in any of these scenarios? Make an effort to change your ways and you will endear yourself to your co-workers.