Survey: Unusual Elevator Behaviors

08.25.2012
HR & Safety

In a recent study from CareerBuilder, workers were asked to share the weirdest behaviors they’ve ever observed in their workplace elevators.

Although most people follow standard elevator etiquette of facing forward and generally keeping to themselves, quite a few workers reported less-than-ordinary experiences while in transit. Among the examples:

  • “Pantsing” a co-worker
  • Changing a baby’s diaper
  • Flossing teeth
  • Clipping fingernails
  • Fist fighting
  • Showing someone a rash and asking for a diagnosis
  • Moving the entire contents of a coworker’s office into the elevator, including the desk
  • A woman with her arms full of papers using her head to keep the doors from closing on her
  • Dancing throughout the ride

Asked to identify the most annoying elevator habits they see, workers most often cited:

  • Talking on a cell phone35%
  • Not holding the door open when others are running to get on the elevator33% (Incidentally, 16 percent of workers admitted to purposely closing the elevator door when they saw someone approaching.)
  • Standing too close when there is plenty of room in the elevator32%
  • Squeezing into an already crowded elevator32%
  • Not stepping off the elevator to let other people out27%
  • Holding the elevator doors open for an extended period of time while waiting for someone else to get on26%
  • Cutting in line to get on the elevator when other people have been waiting longer23%
  • Taking the elevator to go up one or two floors instead of using the stair: 20 %
  • Pushing the wrong button, so the elevator stops at more floor: 17%
  • Facing away from the elevator door, instead of toward the door like everyone else7%

For some workers, elevator rides are a source of anxiety. Sixteen percent of workers said they are afraid of getting stuck in an elevator due to a malfunction.

The online study was based on responses from more than 3,800 workers nationwide.

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