Survey reveals communications goofs—and preferences

Have you ever sent your CV to your own manager while hunting for another job?

Or accidentally confessed to your boss—rather than the intended friend—that you weren’t really ill but were actually interviewing for another position?

If not, thank your lucky stars. For those who make such mistakes—and worse—it’s nice to know we’re not alone.

New research by the British web conferencing company 247meeting has revealed the top communication frustrations as well as the biggest blunders in the workplace. Rest assured, people across the pond are just as error-prone as we are in the good old U.S. of A.

As someone who has sent his own share of cringe-inducing emails, I was struck by this confession: “Accidentally sending a message to the wrong person at head office when complaining about someone, not realizing I had sent it to the person I was complaining about.”

The survey also queried respondents about their work frustrations and preferences. Over a third of them say lunchtime meetings have them tearing their hair out. (Is it the sight of all your colleagues talking with food in their mouths?)

Here are the top annoyances: