Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky and the late Apple cofounder Steve Jobs may sing words of praise for hands-on leaders (otherwise known as micromanagers). But most workers have a very different name for the people who hover over their shoulders: “coworkers from hell.”
A new survey of almost 3,000 workers by career platform Kickresume found that the vast majority of employees have at least one deeply annoying colleague—and micromanagers are ranked right near the very top of the list.
While Chesky argued that Jobs proved being “in the details” can actually be a gift to top talent—more like partnering than policing. And that the right kind of obsessive boss, he suggested, can fast-track decisions, raise the bar, and accelerate a rising star’s career.
For the average worker, that’s just not how micromanagement feels.
“It’s hard to feel capable and motivated when someone is always second-guessing your every move,” the report warned. “This kind of oversight often leads to resentment and can take a serious toll on productivity.
It’s why over a third of respondents named micromanagers as the most unbearable in the office.
These are the 5 traits workers say are the worst
In the end, Kickresume research found that 85% of employees have struggled with an annoying colleague—with micromanagers beaten (only by 1%) by coworkers who steal their thunder for the title of worst person to share an office with.
- Credit stealer. When you put in the hard work, but someone else takes the glory. The researchers say it undermines team spirit and creates a toxic environment in which people feel undervalued and unsafe sharing their innovative ideas.
- Micromanager. Sabotages self-confidence and can lead to resentment and lower productivity.
- Chronic complainer. “Their constant negativity can become infectious, spreading gloom and lowering overall morale,” the report outlines.
- Personal space intruder. Hovering over desks or listening in on private conversations makes the workplace feel intrusive and disrupts workers’ sense of privacy and comfort.
- Lunch thief. This is more than just petty high-school behaviour to be brushed off. “The lunch thief doesn’t just take your meal, they steal your trust and peace of mind,” the report warns. “This inconsiderate behavior forces everyone to be more guarded, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and frustration.”
The hidden toll of micromanagers, credit stealers and other ‘coworkers from hell’
Annoying colleagues aren’t just an office in-joke—they change how people show up to work. Nearly 60% of workers in Kickresume’s survey said difficult coworkers significantly undermine their productivity, whether that’s by derailing their focus, wasting time, or forcing them to overthink every interaction.
Micromanagers, in particular, chip away at autonomy, making capable adults feel like they’re constantly under review rather than being trusted to do their jobs
It’s little surprise, then, that many employees’ first instinct is to withdraw. Around a third say they cope by distancing themselves from annoying colleagues altogether, rather than addressing the issue head-on.
That might preserve short-term peace, but it also fuels a more fragmented workplace, where people collaborate less, share fewer ideas, and quietly avoid the very relationships that are supposed to make teams stronger.
But in the end, workers can only put up with so much. Steal people’s ideas, breathe down their necks, hover over their desks one too many times, and it quickly backfires.
One in ten will vent to their coworkers about you, quietly eroding your reputation and influence. Meanwhile, the 12% will go straight to the top (or failing that, HR) to report you. And a staggering 41% are dreaming up ways to put an end to your career for good, including getting you fired.
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