Have you ever felt isolated or alienated from the organisation you work for or unable to fit within its culture due to office politics asks Ioana Lazarov?

It is not uncommon for those of us who feel a lack of belonging or unable to relate to our workplace to refer to our colleagues or organisation as ‘they’ rather than ‘we’.

Soon, feelings of dislike turn into dread and anguish or even hate at the thought of having to spend another day in the confined space of an office with people that you would otherwise avoid at all costs.

But what are the things some of us try to keep away from or, more frankly, what are the things that we hate about our colleagues?

A survey by research company Opinium revealed the top 10 factors that create an annoying workplace, with grumpy or moody colleagues reaching the top of the list, followed by office gossip in third place.

However, other major contributors to negative thoughts and feelings surrounding our workplace are: feeling like you cannot trust anyone, the unrealistic or unsupportive boss, the arrogant co-worker, the slacker, the bully, the tease, the tantrum-thrower, the constant whiner, the sulking or the irritable colleague – all tend to get on our nerves.

Although this list is by no means exhaustive, dealing with toxic colleagues could be a potentially traumatic experience.

When working in an industry where constant pressure to perform at a high standard is exerted, working with colleagues you can’t stand in a stressful work environment could have detrimental effects on your mental and physical health and wellbeing.

But what can you do protect yourself from such annoyances?

• Steer clear from the oppressive, sabotaging or annoying colleagues
• Understand and accept that you cannot change anyone’s behaviour, but yours
• As hard as it may be, take a positive outlook to your present and re-evaluate your career options
• Consider carefully whether staying with the organisation is worthwhile
• Seek support and engage with the company’s designated employee mental health department

By doing so you might learn of new ways to handle the irritable co-workers.

After all, you have probably worked hard to be in the position you are currently in so choosing to stay or leave could mean the difference between working in an environment which is motivating, inspirational, collaborative and comfortable and one which is not.

Have you ever quit your job or looked for a new job because of a negative office environment?

Ioana Lazarov is a University of Wolverhampton Psychology graduate, who also studied Life Coaching. Her career pursuits and passions include psychology and mental health rehabilitation, retail and automotive electric systems manufacturing and engineering.

Image by Phil Whitehouse/Flickr