Smelly food tops list of workplace annoyance

Not washing hands in the toilets, clipping toe nails or picking noses at desks also on list

Fish curry... a deadly combination in the office. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien / THE IRISH TIMES
Fish curry... a deadly combination in the office. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien / THE IRISH TIMES

Smelly food has been revealed as the most annoying workplace habit, new research shows.

Stinking out the office with strong-smelling curries or fish tops a list of 10 most irksome office pursuits, according to a survey of almost 2,500 Irish workers.

Taking your shoes off at the desk, taking possessions without asking, and the use bad language also make the list.

A total of 2,467 people were questioned between Monday July 22nd last and Saturday, July 26th, for the survey carried out for Peninsula Ireland, an employment law consultancy.

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The top 10 workplace Annoyances, in order of annoyance, are:

1) The smell of hot food causes offence; i.e. curries & fish dishes.

2) Taking your shoes off at your desk.

3) When colleagues take your possessions without asking; i.e. mugs and stationary goods.

4) Personal hygiene - not washing hands in the toilets, clipping toe nails or picking noses at desks.

5) Leaving the kitchen facilities in a messy state.

6) When workers bring crying babies into the office.

7) The quick-fire spread of idle office gossip.

8) Use of unnecessary vulgar language.

9) Co-workers skiving and not putting the required effort in.

10) Sending unnecessary emails to colleagues.