Variety is the spice of life. But what if varying habits among co-workers create friction in the office?

The office is a melting-pot of different personalities, with each employee expected to deal positively with traits, issues and habits of their colleagues to get the work done. In the Filipino workplace, the value of pakikisama – the maintenance of social relationships by avoiding open conflict – makes it hard for someone to openly discuss concerns with the co-workers such as the inconveniences brought about by the latter’s smoking habit.

Take Nina, an administrative assistant in a business-to-business company, for example. Her office gripe concerns her smoking colleagues.

“I have officemates who take long and frequent yosi breaks.” she shares. “While they’re out, I’m left to answer their calls. I don’t think that’s fair. Should I complain to our boss or to HR about it?”

In this week’s discussions, JobStreet.com’s Career Coaches advise directly talking with smokers to settle on a compromise.

“The worst thing you can do is to complain to your boss or to HR about it,” says Danny Pancho of Edward Keller Philippines, Inc. “You may be branded as a snitch or a cry-baby and that is not good for you.”

“You can approach your officemates first and ask if they can take turns with their yosi breaks,” suggests Melle Roxas-Pitalgo of iDnet Consulting. “Explain to them that you can’t answer their calls all the time; you have tasks also. Make it clear that you should help each other out. That way, your officemates won’t think you’re out to get them or make them look bad. If they don’t listen, then you can elevate it to your supervisor.”