Eight in ten have directly experienced rudeness in the workplace, with 54% of employees citing being sworn at as the rudest form of behaviour, according to new research from Hyper Recruitment Solutions (HRS).
Being reprimanded in front of your peers (48%), talking over counterparts in a meeting (44%) and personal remarks about outfit choices (42%) were also cited as other forms of insolent behaviour. But this research didn’t solely focus on rudeness aimed to towards the employees themselves.
The research found that 72% of employees would take action if they had a colleague with hygiene problems.
Thirty-six per cent of respondents would willingly confront colleagues directly about their personal hygiene, while another 36% would be inclined to raise the issue with HR and management to tackle on their behalf.
And it seems that men (78%) were far more likely than women (68%) to voice concerns to or about the colleague in question.
Ricky Martin, Apprentice winner and the Founder and Managing Director of HRS, said that work-related disputes and personality clashes are no new problem.
“I’d always advise that taking an open and honest approach with colleagues will work better in the long-term, but it’s important colleagues are mindful not to unintentionally offend or create further issues in doing so,” he said.
Employees opting for the ‘straight-talking’ approach when confronting employees may transcend into altercations with colleagues which is no good for any workplace culture.
Furthermore, the research revealed that 35% would directly tell colleagues that they don’t like them. This result also found a difference between the genders, with 43% of men admitting that they would confront colleagues directly, as opposed to just 24% of women who would do the same.
The study shed light on what causes workplace rudeness to occur. A whopping 81% of employees cited small talk with colleagues as annoying – particularly if the conversation involved children or football.
However, it seems that these aren’t the only bug-bearers. Thirty-six per cent revealed trash-talking colleagues or clients as the most irritating form of small talk, forced pleasantries (29%), evening or weekend-related small talk (23%) or conversation relating to the weather (17%).
Moreover, the research revealed that a staggering 94% of employees found physical contact at work acceptable.
Thirty-two per cent cited a fist pump as an acceptable from of contact, while 17% said a kiss on the cheek was tolerable, or a pat on the shoulder (52%) and high-fives (39%).
Martin explained: “The results are pretty surprising. We often hear and read in the media how physical contact at work isn’t acceptable, yet the results suggest otherwise.