A new poll of 12,000 office workers nationwide has revealed the things we like and loathe the most in our places of work.<\/p>\n
According to Inspiration Office, an Africa-wide office space and furniture consultancy, the social aspect of work tops list of likes, while loud colleagues top list of annoyances.<\/p>\n
Richard Andrews, MD of Inspiration Office, said: \u201cWe asked people what was the most important thing for them in the workplace and 95% said access to good tea and coffee.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis topped the list ahead of security (91%) and a healthy environment (87%) of what South African see as most important in the workplace.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rounding out the most important things was natural light (85%), greenery (71%),\u00a0 canteens (65%) and comfortable chairs (52%).<\/p>\n
Office likes\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Read: 30 things that make South Africans angry<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The poll also quizzed people on their biggest annoyances at the workplace.<\/p>\n Top of the list was loud colleagues, followed by colleagues who \u201csmelled up the place\u201d by eating lunch at the desk.<\/p>\n Third was \u2018unbearable bosses’.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople talking loudly on the phone, endlessly talking to colleagues and making a general ruckus (88%) topped the list of the biggest peeve.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was followed closely by people who eat lunch at their desks thereby smelling up the workspace (76%),” Andrews said.<\/p>\n He added that bad bosses (66%) was in third place particularly those that were hyper-critical and micro managers. Lack of privacy also featured with just over 50% citing that as an office downside.<\/p>\n Other strong office dislikes were dreary office spaces, long meetings, dress codes and working hours.<\/p>\n Office peeves<\/strong><\/p>\n When asked about the best things about the workplace, the social aspect of meeting new people and becoming friends with certain colleagues was the best thing about the workplaces according to 80% of respondents.<\/p>\n Also favourable was\u00a0 the \u2018learning and personal development\u2019 that the workplaces offered (61%).<\/p>\n Filling out the remaining office positives was \u2018stimulation\u2019, \u2018sense of worth\u2019 and \u2018contribution to society.\u2019<\/p>\n Most annoying work phrases<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Top 10 most ridiculous excuses to get off work<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n
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