Bad Habits = Bad Employee

Many of us Minnesotans hope that Spring is just around the corner, blooming flower, buds on trees, and more importantly, a temperature above freezing.  With the future growth of the oncoming season, it may not be a bad time to take inventory of some personal self growth as well.  Forbes lists the top 14 habits employees have that could end up costing any employee his or her job.  While nail biting, gum chewing and knuckle cracking are annoying, they aren’t necessarily pink slip worth.  Read through the list below to see if you need to make some changes to any traits you may have inherited over the years that could lead to your demise.

“A single bad habit is not likely to get you fired immediately, but the cumulative effect of the bad habit over time can,” says Dr. Katharine Brooks, director of Liberal Arts Career Services at The University of Texas at Austin and author of You Majored in What? Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career. “People might notice one bad habit, and it preps them to notice other faults or problems.” Also, she adds, a bad habit can lead to isolation or shunning in the office, which can affect everything from your performance evaluation to your ability to do your job.

Rick Myers, the founder and chief executive of Talent Zoo, a site formarketing, advertising, and digital professionals, agrees that bad habits can destroy one’s career—but he says the “most unfortunate part is that people rarely realize they have these habits.”

“One of the best pieces of advice to give to someone who wants to advance in their company is to become more self-aware and be sure they are practicing habits that will be of value to the company,” he says.

We found a listing of 14 bad habits that can cost you your job in Forbes. Check the list, and see how many you do - or don't do!