More than half of British workers consider changing jobs to avoid annoying colleagues.

The majority of employees (84%) say they are distracted by workmates’ anti-social behaviour, according to survey by recruitment specialist fish4jobs.

Smelly colleagues with poor personal hygiene topped the list of office nuisances (59%), followed by unnecessary shouting (44%) and stealing stationery (35%).

Other bad habits include swearing, stealing from the office fridge and constant pen clicking.

Joe Slavin, fish4jobs’ chief executive, says a workmate’s irritating behaviour often compounds an employee’s decision to leave.

“The research shows that UK workers are easily annoyed by their colleagues. The little things do seem to get on our nerves,” he says.

“However, it isn’t the minor issues that send workers running for the door, but larger problems that are only made worse by a colleague’s irritating behaviour.”

Mr Slavin says workers should be honest with their frustrating colleagues, refrain from retaliation and, if necessary, talk to management.