Ideally, the workplace should be a level playing field where everyone has equal opportunities and receives fair treatment, regardless of their background or personal characteristics.
However, Reddit user Celtic_Echo had a colleague who took issue with her beliefs and went above and beyond to ban her from wearing religious symbols.
And things didn’t end there. After getting her way, the woman flaunted her silver cross—until our Redditor found a clever way to turn the tables and get HR on her side.
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Our religious beliefs are a huge part of our identity
Image generated by We using ChatGPT
So when this woman was attacked for hers at work, she fought back
Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)
Image source: celtic_echo
Sadly, annoying coworkers are a big part of the office
A recent study by Kickresume surveyed almost 3,000 employees and discovered the main types of annoying colleagues—ranked one to five—where this conduct surfaces, and how employees deal—or wish they dealt—with these issues.
The findings showed that 85% of people have had an annoying coworker, with 58% saying their behaviors significantly affect their productivity.
The researchers found that there are five main types of irritating colleagues:
Credit stealer (33%): You put in the hard work, but they take the glory. Credit stealers simply undermine team spirit and create an environment where people feel undervalued. This behavior is not only annoying, but can also create a toxic work environment where nobody feels safe to share innovative ideas.Micromanager (32%): Most of us probably know that one person who just can’t let go and constantly hovers over your work. It’s hard to feel capable and motivated when someone is always second-guessing your every move. This kind of oversight often leads to resentment and can take a serious toll on productivity.Chronic complainer (30%): It surely looks like every team has that one person who can find a downside to even the best situations. Chronic complainers drain energy and positivity. Their constant negativity can become infectious, spreading gloom and lowering overall morale.Personal space intruder (30%): Who doesn’t value their personal space, especially in a busy office environment? Personal space intruders disrupt that sense of privacy and comfort. Whether they’re hovering over your desk or listening in on private conversations, their behavior can make the workplace feel stressful and intrusive.Lunch thief (27%): It’s hard to believe that some coworkers actually help themselves to their colleagues’ food. But the lunch thief doesn’t just take your meal—they steal your trust and peace of mind. This inconsiderate behavior forces everyone to be more guarded, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and frustration. The sheer audacity of swiping someone else’s lunch makes the lunch thief a particularly galling presence in the workplace.
According to the survey, 62% of respondents face annoying coworkers directly in the office, but written communication, such as emails and Slack messages, is also a significant source of annoyance for 44% of employees. What’s more, annoying coworkers can creep into your life even more by making bothersome phone calls (37%).
When faced with annoying behavior, the majority of people (32%) prefer to distance themselves from the culprit. At 17%, the bolder ones choose to directly ask the person to stop, and another 12% choose to vent to other coworkers, perhaps seeking solidarity or just a sympathetic ear.
Surprisingly, only 12% actually report the behavior to a manager or HR, while 9% admit to getting passive-aggressive themselves. As unpleasant as it was, at least the author of the post managed to sort everything out.
People were glad to learn the lady got what was coming to her
