The Worst Office Communication Habits and Manager Behaviors

Workers say the most unacceptable communication habits at the office are using a speakerphone in shared spaces, gossiping, using all caps in emails, and replying all, according to recent research from Signs.com.

The report was based on data from a survey of 811 office workers. Some 40% of respondents perform managerial duties at work, and 60% do not.

Three-quarters of women and 65% of men say using a speakerphone in an open or shared office is unacceptable.

Two-thirds of men and 70% of women say gossiping at work is unacceptable; some 62% of men and 69% of women say using all caps in workplace communications is unacceptable.

A nearly equal share of men and women (65% and 64%, respectively) say replying all in email messages is unacceptable.

Respondents say the most unacceptable manager behaviors are playing favorites, making informal threats to terminate employees, using company expense accounts for personal use, and making romantic advances toward employees.

About the research: The report was based on data from a survey of 811 office workers. Some 40% of respondents perform managerial duties at work and 60% do not.