Top 20+ Things That Make You Look Unprofessional At Work

Tiny Habits, Big Impact

There’s something about office life that turns the simplest moments into social minefields. One minute, you’re riding high on caffeine and compliments; the next, you're wondering why your colleague is giving you side-eye at the printer. Professionalism is an unspoken language, a code people expect you to know but never actually teach. So, if you’ve ever thought you might be doing everything right but something still feels off, here are 20 things that might be quietly rewriting your office story.

1. Arriving Late To Meetings

It’s more than just a late entrance—it shows a lack of respect for everyone else’s time and schedules. The meeting flow gets disrupted, people have to repeat themselves, and suddenly things feel off-track. Even if you’re skilled, it signals disorganization.

2. Ignoring Emails For Days

Letting emails pile up like unread novels on a shelf clogs your team's momentum. When decisions stall, and clients sit in silence, frustration brews. Teammates start second-guessing your reliability, and soon enough, missed chances and awkward misunderstandings creep in.

3. Dressing Inappropriately For The Office

Showing up to work dressed for brunch or the beach sends a louder message than you think. It nudges against office norms, making professionalism feel optional. Even if unintentional, it can seem like a quiet protest against structure—one that’s noticed in every meeting.

4. Using Slang Or Emojis In Professional Emails

What’s casual to you might confuse others or come off as careless, especially with senior leadership or clients. In high-stakes conversations, it risks making you look unprepared or unserious. And when clarity matters most, playful language muddies the message.

5. Missing Deadlines Without Notice

Vanishing when a deadline hits will throw the whole team off balance. People start whispering about your planning skills, and suddenly, your name sparks mild panic. Managers hesitate to loop you in again, and coworkers scramble to pick up the slack.

6. Oversharing Personal Issues At Work

While a little vulnerability builds connection, unloading every personal saga blurs boundaries and makes coworkers squirm. Projects stall, conversations shift, and you become the emotional center of every room. People start wondering how to respond—or if they even should.

7. Gossiping About Coworkers

Start whispering about others, and soon, no one wants to sit next to you at the table. It chips away at trust, planting seeds of division across the team. These side chats often travel farther than you’d expect, landing right in the ears of the person being targeted.

8. Constantly Complaining During Work Hours

There’s venting, and then there’s turning every minor task into a Greek tragedy. Constant complaints pull the whole team’s morale down with them. Instead of showcasing resilience or problem-solving, it highlights a reluctance to adapt.

9. Multitasking During Video Calls

Juggling tabs while nodding vaguely might feel productive—but it’s a dead giveaway. The second you drop a generic “Sounds good,” everyone knows you weren’t listening. Leaders notice when you treat a meeting like background noise, and it doesn’t exactly scream professionalism.

10. Using Your Phone In Meetings

The moment your eyes drop to a screen so does the energy in the room. Glancing at your phone breaks eye contact, steals your attention, and pulls others out of the conversation, too. You’re unintentionally telling everyone that your time takes priority over theirs.

11. Leaving Messes In Shared Spaces

Crumbs on the counter or a sink full of mugs may not seem like a big deal—until you're the one dodging someone else's mess for the third time. And while it might seem minor, it quietly reflects how much (or how little) personal responsibility you bring to the table.

12. Interrupting Others Repeatedly

Constant interruptions stop ideas from flowing and leave teammates feeling overlooked. It’s not just rude; it hints at impatience or a need to dominate. Eventually, you may find yourself left off key calls—not because your input isn't needed, but because no one wants to fight to be heard.

13. Taking Credit For Team Efforts

It only takes one glory grab to make everyone side-eye your next move. Passing off group achievements as your own quietly erodes trust. The damage might not be loud, but it’s lasting. Soon, managers clock the pattern, and teammates pull back.

14. Avoiding Eye Contact When Speaking

Failing to maintain eye contact immediately undermines your presence. It can project insecurity, lack of conviction, or even dishonesty—none of which inspire confidence. This subtle cue creates distance, making communication less effective.

15. Always Keeping Your Camera Off

When your square stays blank, so does your presence. People notice the absence—not just of your face, but of your participation. In a remote world, staying unseen too often can display unpreparedness, detachment, or simply not being part of the team.

16. Posting About Work Problems Online

Sharing workplace frustrations online can cross ethical lines and breach confidentiality. Once trust is broken, your professional relationships begin to deteriorate. This behavior often reads as ungrateful or unprofessional, affecting how you’re perceived. In many cases, it invites disciplinary action.

18. Talking Over Senior Staff

Interrupting or talking over senior colleagues breaks the flow of respectful communication and undermines workplace hierarchy. It often comes across as arrogant or dismissive rather than assertive. Over time, it discourages open dialogue and makes peers reluctant to speak up around you.

19. Ignoring Company Communication Channels

Overlooking official communication tools directly impacts your effectiveness. Important updates, tasks, or deadlines can slip through the cracks, creating delays and confusion. Others are forced to fill the gap, repeating information just to keep you aligned.

20. Showing Up Unprepared To Meetings

Being unprepared for a business meeting disrupts everyone’s momentum. Valuable time is lost, discussions stall, and your ability to contribute meaningfully drops. Colleagues may perceive disorganization or disinterest, and that impression tends to stick.