With more of us working remotely than ever before, it’s only natural that colleagues have been experiencing different kinds of behaviours to the ones they’ve known from working in the office with one another.
So, after surveying over 1,000 UK working professionals, we’ve revealed some of the most endearing (and frustrating!) behaviours that have come to light since working from home. Let’s see how many ring true to you!
Working from home + colleagues = More endearing overall!
On the whole, the survey revealed that workers found their colleagues more endearing since working from the comfort of their own homes, with 75% of people reporting that their fellow workers showed caring and endearing behaviours at least once a week. It was also workers in Plymouth, Sheffield and Birmingham who showcased endearing behaviours the most, compared to other workers in the UK.
And, when it comes to the most endearing behaviours shown whilst remote working, it was messaging to check in and see how you are that took the top spot, with 64% of workers agreeing on this small, but sweet gesture. Others included replying to messages quickly (62%), giving full attention during video calls (61%), chatting all things weekend plans (54%), giving pets a bit of screen time (53%) and sharing funny memes and videos (49%). It seems like having a caring nature and introducing furry friends to the conversation is the way to our hearts! It was only 9% of workers that found their colleagues slightly more annoying when working from home.
The 10 Most Endearing Remote Behaviours
Rank |
Remote working behaviours |
% of people who find it endearing |
1 |
Messaging to ask how you are |
64 |
2 |
Replying quickly |
62 |
3 |
Giving full attention during a video call |
61 |
4 |
Having a daily catch-up call for morale |
55 |
5 |
Sharing weekend plans |
54 |
6 |
Introducing/showing pets |
53 |
7 |
Praising publicly via email/slack etc. |
51 |
8 |
Sharing funny memes/videos |
49 |
9 |
Planning socials |
48 |
10 |
Scheduling video tea/coffee catch ups |
47 |
“That’s sooooo annoying”
So, while workers for the most part find their working from home behaviours charming the results from the survey revealed 51% thought their colleagues did something a little annoying at least two or three times a week!
Topping the list for most annoying behaviour was being slow at responding to emails (when they were online and working), with 61% finding this tiresome. This was followed by background noise on video calls (60%), eating on camera (59%) and the classic “you’re on mute!” muting and unmuting at the wrong times (53%).
Through the survey, we also discovered there were things that rubbed us up the wrong way when looking at how and when we communicate with one another. For example, 52% of workers found direct messaging out of working hours irritating while 51% of people found it annoying when others answered another call or were working on something else. Undivided attention (within working hours) only please!
As well as the behaviours that workers found annoying in their colleagues, the study also revealed some of the things workers themselves admit to doing too when at home. From slurping on a drink whilst on a video call (70%), to not putting on their camera (67%) or going at a snail’s pace to answer emails (63%), these were the ones that came out on top.
The Top 10 Most Annoying Remote Behaviours
Rank |
Remote working behaviours |
% of people who find it annoying |
1 |
Slow responses to emails/direct messages when they’re online |
61 |
2 |
Background noise on video calls |
60 |
3 |
Eating on camera |
59 |
4 |
Booking in too many video calls |
56 |
5 |
Muting and un-muting in the wrong places |
53 |
6 |
Booking in video calls when phone calls will suffice |
53 |
7 |
Whats-Apping/direct messaging out of hours |
52 |
8 |
Answering the phone whilst on a video call |
51 |
9 |
Working on something else whilst on a video call |
51 |
10 |
Asking you to put your camera on for a video call |
50 |
Back to life (in the office), back to reality
As remote working no doubt continues to play a big part in businesses as we enter 2022 and beyond, according to the survey, office life is still privy to a few more quirks and annoyances.
If hearing the crunching of crisps or the chomping of an apple grinds your gears, you’re not alone. 69% of workers revealed that eating loudly in the office was the most annoying trait while sucking up to the boss in front of everyone came in at second place. Nobody like a teacher’s pet, right?!
Rank |
Remote working behaviours |
% of people who find it annoying |
1 |
Eating loudly |
69 |
2 |
Sucking up to boss in front of everyone |
68 |
3 |
Using loud speaker on a phone call in office |
66 |
4 |
Reading over your shoulder at your desk |
66 |
5 |
Listening into your calls in the office |
64 |
6 |
Microwaving/eating smelly food |
61 |
7 |
Gossiping in the office |
60 |
8 |
Taking too many cigarette breaks |
60 |
9 |
Instigating too much office chit chat |
59 |
10 |
Loud and/or frequent sneezing/hiccupping |
57 |
So, what have we learnt about hybrid working in the new normal world we’re living in when it comes to business? Due to a definite merging of boundaries between home and the office, some new behaviours have been formed. It looks like checking in with a colleague on a regular basis and giving your full attention to a call goes a long way. However, loud chewers and people that are slow to respond to emails not so much!