'Whiner' Co-Workers One of Many Reasons Employees Want to Work from Home
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. CREDIT: Work From Home Image via Shutterstock |
Lunch, a glass of wine and their daily caffeine fix are all luxuries employees would give up in order to work from home, according to new research.
Conducted by Wakefield Research and Citrix, the study revealed that while the majority of workers have never had the opportunity to work from home, more than 30 percent would give up their lunch each day in order to do so. In addition, a quarter of employees would forgo alcohol, while 20 percent would pass on their daily cup of coffee.
Know-it-all bosses, complaining co-workers and costume parties are among the workplace annoyances that are driving employees out of the office. Nearly half of those surveyed said they work with a know-it-all, while 44 percent say their colleagues are "whiners."
The study found employers' attempts at workplace bonding through parties and celebrations is also contributing to employees' desire to work from home. Almost three-quarters of office workers have at least one company event they secretly dislike, with costume parties the most detested. Baby showers, staff photos and team-building activities are among the other events employees would prefer to pass on, the study found.
Not surprisingly, bosses also frustrate employees. Nearly 40 percent of those surveyed believe the worst type of boss is one that steals their ideas, while 37 percent think it's the know-it-all type.
The research shows workers are getting more creative at avoiding their bosses, with 30 percent of office workers scheduled time off around their supervisors' vacation in order to maximize the time they won’t have to spend together.
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The study found that television is providing employees with the opportunity to see the type of manager they would like to work under. Leroy Jethro Gibbs from "NCIS," Miranda Bailey from "Grey's Anatomy" and Don Draper from "Mad Men" are the fictional characters employees would like to work for most, while Buddy Valastro from "Cake Boss," Donald Trump from "The Apprentice" and Simon Cowell from the "X-Factor" are the reality stars workers would most like to see in charge of them.
Kim DeCarlis, vice president of corporate marketing at Citrix, said the survey shows that companies will benefit by being more flexible in allowing employees to work from anywhere.
"These findings show what all of us who work in offices know — life at the office can often be challenging," DeCarlis said. "Enabling people to blend their professional and personal lives can boost morale as well as productivity."
In addition to avoiding workplace frustrations, the study shows chance to wear whatever they want is a motivating factor in employees wanting to work out of the office. Nearly half of those who have worked from home say they’re most likely to wear jeans and T-shirts when on the job remotely, while 25 percent are most likely to work in their pajamas. Less 10 percent adopt the "less is more" motto by working from home in their underwear or birthday suit.
The study was based on surveys of more than 1,000 U.S. employees.
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