This annoys Swedes the most in the workplace
Technical equipment that doesn't work, open office landscapes, and colleagues who talk when we're trying to focus – these are some of the things that annoy Swedes the most at their workplaces when it's time to return to work after the holidays. This is according to a recent survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of the workspace expert Technopolis.
For many Swedes, the period of free days in the summer cottage or the archipelago is now coming to an end, something that seems to have given perspective on life during the time that will be spent in the office. Technopolis' survey, which is based on responses from 762 Swedish workers aged 20 to 65, shows that there are several elements that annoy us during working hours.
The results show that 26 percent of the respondents think that malfunctioning technical equipment is the single most annoying thing at the office. Somewhat more surprising is that 18 percent of the respondents consider the open office landscape to be the most annoying thing in the office.
"The survey highlights an often-overlooked aspect: the "one-size-fits-all" approach cannot be applied if you want to create a workplace that is attractive to all employees. Therefore, it is important to create work environments that promote productivity and well-being and offer opportunities to work according to your own preferences and conditions when you are in the office," says Johanna Bergendahl at Technopolis.
In addition to points of irritation related to the office space and its layout, the survey also highlights what Swedes find most bothersome about their colleagues. When asked what annoys colleagues in an open office setting, a significant 41 percent stated that colleagues who talk when others are trying to concentrate are perceived as annoying. In second place are colleagues who answer the phone or participate in meetings at their desks, which 36 percent of respondents find annoying.
At the same time, the survey presents a positive picture of Swedes' attitudes towards their office environments. In fact, 18 percent stated that nothing about the office bothers them and over half (53 percent) stated that consider it important or fairly important that colleagues are physically present in the office.
"It is not surprising that there are instances when people get annoyed in their workplaces, it comes naturally because everyone functions differently and has different preferences and ways of working. Despite this, it is important to highlight that the survey also confirms the role of the office in the hybrid work model of the future, with 29 percent of respondents seeing social gatherings as the most important aspect of the office," says Johanna Bergendahl at Technopolis.
About the survey
The survey about office habits and was carried out by YouGov during the period 14-27 of February 2024, through CAWI interviews of 762 people aged 20-65.