Whinging at work costs companies up to 30 % of their gross profit, according to Australian-based business consultant, Richard Paterson.
Paterson said that whinger behaviours can be contagious, when whingers try to get other workers to agree with them.
A study conducted in the 1990s, identified four basic work personalities.
Volunteer - they have a positive impact and create momentum within an organisation. 22 % of staff operate at volunteer level.
Whinger - they diffuse productive energy and distract others. 30 % of staff are whingers.
Survivor - they focus more on self-preservation than on the organisation. 35 % of staff are survivors.
Prisoner - rarely found, these people are detached and don't care. They generally leave the organisation. 3 % of staff are prisoners.
The remaining percentage of staff move between the above personality states.
Are you a whinger?
“Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them.” – Washington Irving
© 2010 Teamworks Pacific Ltd
