Some of your colleagues are no doubt guilty of taking the mickey.
They bend the rules and stretch the limits, often at other people’s expense. You’re not one to snitch on them, but you do see a lot of behaviours that disrupt the work environment and make everyone else’s lives a tad harder. So, if you spot someone pulling these stunts, you’re not imagining things, they’re definitely taking liberties.
1. They constantly disappear for “important” calls or meetings.
We all need to step away for a moment now and then, but if your colleague consistently vanishes for mysterious calls or meetings, leaving you to pick up the slack, it’s a bit suspect. It’s one thing to have genuine confidential matters to attend to, but quite another to use this as an excuse to dodge work. If their absences are impacting your workload or causing delays, it’s worth having a chat with them or bringing it up with your manager.
2. Their lunch breaks seem to last for hours.
Everyone deserves a proper lunch break to recharge and refuel, but when your colleague consistently stretches their break to epic proportions, it’s not exactly fair to the rest of the team. While you’re powering through your tasks, they’re leisurely enjoying a three-course meal and a stroll in the park. It’s all about balance, and if their extended breaks are becoming a regular occurrence, it might be time to have a gentle conversation about time management.
3. They constantly delegate their tasks to other people.
Teamwork is essential, but there’s a fine line between collaboration and offloading your responsibilities onto everyone else. If your colleague has a knack for passing the buck, leaving you with their unfinished tasks or asking for “help” that really means “do it for me,” they’re definitely taking advantage. It’s important to establish clear boundaries and ensure everyone is pulling their weight.
4. They always seem to have a doctor’s appointment or personal errand during work hours.
Life happens, and sometimes we need to take time off for appointments or errands. But when your colleague seems to have a never-ending list of daytime commitments, it raises eyebrows. If their personal life is consistently interfering with their work, it’s a sign that they’re not prioritising their responsibilities. It’s important to have a conversation about balancing personal and professional obligations.
5. They’re always on their phone, even during meetings.
Source: Unsplash In today’s digital age, our phones are glued to our hands. However, there’s a time and a place for everything, and constantly scrolling through social media or texting during meetings is disrespectful to everyone involved. It shows a lack of engagement and a disregard for the importance of the discussion. If your colleague can’t seem to put their phone down, it might be time for a gentle reminder about work etiquette.
6. They take credit for other people’s ideas or work.
There’s nothing worse than having your ideas stolen or your hard work go unrecognised. If your colleague has a habit of claiming credit for things they didn’t do, it’s a major red flag. It’s not only unfair, but it also creates a toxic work environment. Be sure to speak up and give credit where credit is due, and don’t hesitate to address the issue with your colleague or manager.
7. They’re always the first to leave the office at the end of the day.
Source: Unsplash While work-life balance is important, consistently being the first one out the door while your colleagues are still burning the midnight oil can be frustrating. It can create a sense of resentment and make it seem like they’re not committed to the team effort. It’s all about pulling your weight and contributing to the overall success of the team.
8. They always find a way to avoid doing the less desirable tasks.
Source: Unsplash Every job has its share of less glamorous tasks, but someone has to do them. If your colleague consistently finds ways to dodge the dirty work, leaving it for other people to handle, it’s not exactly team spirit. Whether it’s cleaning up after a meeting, taking out the rubbish, or dealing with a difficult client, everyone needs to pitch in and do their part. It’s about sharing the load and making the workplace a pleasant environment for everyone.
9. They have a knack for disappearing whenever there’s a deadline looming.
Deadlines are stressful enough without having to worry about whether your colleague is going to pull their weight. If they have a habit of conveniently going AWOL whenever a project is due, leaving you to scramble and pick up the pieces, it’s a clear sign they’re not a team player. It’s about accountability and ensuring everyone contributes their fair share to meet the team’s goals.
10. They always have an excuse for why they didn’t complete a task.
We all encounter unexpected obstacles from time to time, but if your colleague consistently has a ready-made excuse for why they haven’t finished their work, it’s a sign they’re not taking their responsibilities seriously. Whether it’s blaming a faulty printer, a slow internet connection, or a sudden illness, their excuses start to sound like a broken record. It’s about taking ownership of your work and finding solutions, not excuses.
11. They spend more time socialising than actually working.
A bit of workplace banter is all well and good, but when your colleague spends more time chatting with colleagues, gossiping by the water cooler, or browsing social media than actually doing their job, it’s a problem. It’s not only disruptive to the work environment, but it also means someone else has to pick up the slack. It’s about focusing on the task at hand and getting things done.
12. They constantly complain about their workload, even though it’s the same as everyone else’s.
Source: Unsplash We all have those days when we feel overwhelmed, but if your colleague is constantly complaining about how much work they have, even though everyone else has the same amount, it’s a bit much. It creates a negative atmosphere and can bring down the morale of the entire team. It’s about having a positive attitude and finding solutions, not just complaining.
13. They always seem to have the latest gadgets, even though they’re always complaining about being broke.
Source: Unsplash While there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to a new phone or laptop every now and then, if your colleague is constantly flashing their latest tech purchases while simultaneously moaning about being broke, it’s a bit of a contradiction. It suggests they’re not managing their finances responsibly, and it can create an uncomfortable dynamic in the workplace.
14. They always seem to know what’s going on in everyone else’s personal life, even though they rarely share anything about their own.
Source: Unsplash A bit of curiosity about your colleagues’ lives is natural, but if your colleague seems to know every juicy detail about everyone else’s personal affairs while keeping their own life a closely guarded secret, it’s a bit unnerving. It can feel like they’re prying or gossiping, and it can create an atmosphere of mistrust. It’s about respecting boundaries and focusing on your own life.
15. They always seem to have a way of making themselves look good, even if it means throwing someone else under the bus.
Source: Unsplash We all want to impress our bosses and advance our careers, but if your colleague consistently tries to make themselves look good at other people’s expense, it’s a sign of a lack of integrity. Whether it’s taking credit for someone else’s work, shifting blame onto a colleague, or undermining people’s efforts, their behaviour is not only unethical, but it also creates a toxic work environment. It’s about being honest, transparent, and supportive of your colleagues, not trying to sabotage them for your own gain.
