Have you ever been annoyed by the unprofessional things people do, or don’t do in your office at work? It’s amazing how irritating people can be sometimes, and usually they’re completely oblivious to their offensive ways.

Maybe management has a blind spot for general housekeeping, or “unspoken rules” of human engagement actually need to be verbalized. Whatever the cause, you’ve had about as much as you’re willing to take. Instead of simply discussing the most common office pet peeves, we’re here to share the top solutions to remedy the situations that drive you crazy.

Food Smell

Were you ever about to dry heave having to deal with the stinky food smell wafting out of the kitchen microwave? That’s fun, isn’t it? Nobody wants to smell a co-worker’s leftovers from last night’s dinner, and yet it seems to be a widespread issue in offices everywhere. What’s the remedy here?

Considering there are some foods that are worse to smell than others, come up with a food list that coworkers aren’t allowed to use in the microwave, such as fish, Brussels sprouts, boiled eggs and sauerkraut just to name a few.

Restroom Odor

Everyone uses the restroom, and occasionally has to poop – even if it’s at work. It’s a natural function of your body. The issue here is that some people have zero-bathroom etiquette. It’s one thing to smell poop in the restroom, but when you get hit with a wave of stench simply walking down the hallway past the restroom, that’s unacceptable…

So, what’s the solution? Poop smell eliminating drops. This all-natural product will zap stench before it evens starts. Made from concentrated plant extract, Love My Drops is biodegradable, which means it’s safe to use for any toilet. Simply add a drop to the surface of the water before you go, and a fresh, pleasant scent is all that’s left behind.

Strong Perfume

A little bit goes a long way. Why do people feel the need to bathe in their body fragrance before coming to work? Not only is it distracting, it can also cause headaches and be unhealthy to breathe in. How do you go about fixing this issue? It may be awkward, but sometimes just going directly to the person to confront them is the best solution. Be kind, honest and discrete about your approach so you don’t embarrass the guy or gal.

Noise Level

Whether it’s the volume of the radio, or the guy that sounds like he swallowed a microphone when he’s on the phone, every office seems to have that one person that is apparently tone deaf when it comes to reasonable sound decibels.

Again, the best way to deal with this situation is to confront the offender. If you’re discrete and respectful, chances are your co-worker will comply with your request.

Printer Paper

Everyone uses the printer, so everyone should be responsible to replace the paper when the tray is low or empty. Have you ever had that one person in the office who seems to print out every report, memo and email? It’s not only a waste of ink toner and paper, it’s ironic that the person that uses the most paper NEVER replaces the paper in the tray!

Clearly, this need to be addressed right on the spot if you see it. However, sometimes you won’t know who the offender is. We’re not big fans of office memos, but it would be warranted here as a friendly reminder.

Foul Language

As an adult, it’s safe to say you’ve probably used regrettable language when you were really angry or frustrated about something. It’s entirely different when the guy 2 offices down, has a mouth like a running sewer. Nobody wants to hear F-bombs and dirty jokes all day. It’s not only annoying, it’s very unprofessional.

Ask this person to refrain from using that kind of language in the office. If you don’t get the response you’re hoping for, this is an easy call to the HR department.

Smoke Breaks

Have you ever wondered why it’s completely permissible for smokers to take frequent “smoke breaks” outside on company time? You’ve probably seen them out there talking, laughing – having a great time while you’re slaving away at your desk. Doesn’t seem fair does it? It’s not.

This is a complicated issue and should be handled with both management and human resources. Clearly, you’re right to be irritated about this. The solution will result in either you receiving additional break time or forcing the smokers to be accountable. Might seem harsh, but fair is fair.

Birthday Celebrations

When you were a kid, birthdays were awesome! You lived for the opportunity to open presents and have sleepover with your friends. When you become an adult, birthdays are still casually celebrated by family and maybe a few close friends, but you really don’t care for that kind of attention at the office. There’s always that one over-zealous HR girl who goes all out and wants to have everyone gather in the breakroom to sing happy birthday to Joe who’s turning 46 this year… Really?

While it may be a nice gesture, most of us would rather not be bothered. This is one that may be more of a personal preference. Some people may actually enjoy the attention they get on their birthday… Simply request that they skip your birthday. You might be seen as a party pooper, but at least you’ll be spared the unwanted attention once a year.

Messy Kitchen

It’s disgusting when coworkers leave the break room or kitchen area a mess. Crumbs on the table and floor, dirty dishes in the sink, exploding food in the microwave. This is when working with people blends into living with people. Afterall, your workplace is your “home away from home.” Again, there needs to be a posted list of do’s and don’ts in the breakroom area. Do clean up after yourself and wash your own dishes. Don’t leave your trash and crumbs on the table. Seems simple, but without some structure and accountability, people will take advantage.

Office Gossip

Every office has that two-faced jerk who will smile to your face and talk behind your back. Office gossip is immature, petty and unprofessional. There are people who just aren’t happy unless they’re in someone else’s business. There is a very simple solution for this – don’t engage! When a co-worker leans into your office with that look over both shoulders, half whisper approach, simply tell them you’re not interested in engaging in the office gossip. It will most likely never happen again because they’ll run with their gossip to someone else in the office.