Please share your funniest and most absurd co-worker anecdotes.

The fact that I was proven right when the project failed to deliver on its promised benefits, soaked up millions from the department budget, and generally caused grief to everyone tends to be forgotten.

He is the one always know everything, always trying to cut you off in the middle in your sentence. I guess the point of the post is that you find yourself into those examples and stop acting that ways ASAP and i have to say i dont feel i belong in any of those. The idea is great anyway, it might help lot of people think what they are doing.

It’s a shame your coworkers didn’t appreciate your feedback. Sounds like you cold have saved them some real issues.

I’m much more interested in working for a gaming company. That’s what I call fun!

I’m the one who points out all the pitfalls, things that aren’t addressed, and things that could go wrong, and was eventually proven right when everything crashed around the designers and implementers.

No worries, I’m light.

Thank you, and I can understand why you feel I’m reading too much into it. But how many more, might see it the same way? How many are already at a breaking point due to our economy?

Sure, there’s humor in it. But I just think it went a little too far. Specially when there’s an eager HR team dying to implement something new. (Yes, maybe a little far-fetched. But get my drift?).

In regards to sick people in the office. I am against it, but the office and the office policies are to blame for that. Not the person. I’m quite sure they’d love to be at home, in bed, feeling miserable. But there’s always the pressure of having to perform, being at the top of your game, etc. and then of course, end of year reviews. All these things make those that should be home, come into work.

And yes, I agree that some of these things can affect the office environment. But “pink italic quotes in an email”, not-so-much. And the cat lady (I worked with one), you just gently tell her you have a deadline. They generally get the drift.

So are these the real elephants in the room? Yes, they may be. But being passive-agressive doesn’t help the issue either. Speaking up quickly, mindfully, and with empathy will nip most of these things in the bud. Or again, bring your iPod and headset. That would solve most of the issues right there.

And no, you don’t always get to physically walk away. But you can take your break and cool off. Or again, bring an iPod and escape.

But again, if it’s really that bad…talk to the person, and again, have empathy. If your team is like family, have an intervention and make it fun (think HIMYM). But take note, “you” could be next.

So yes, we all have to be conscious of our environment. I’m just suggesting we have empathy.

I enjoy your take on this article, but I think you are reading too far into this. As Cordelia pointed out, this is a humorous article to make light of the quarks that are present in the office.

I see this article as a moment to sit back and reflect on the effect I may have on my office. Some people annoy me for whatever reason, and there is nothing I can do about that, but I have to take a second and think “is there something I do that may irritate the people that I spend most of my time with?”.

In regards to your comment about someone who may have used all their sick days and has to feed a family of six. Well, if you’re in an office you generally have an idea about the persons family, or situation, and therefore can be empathetic. But (and I’ll use the sickness example as it’s very relative to my situation) my office neighbor has been sick for an entire week, and very sick. Now, I am headed to Mexico in three days and yesterday I had to take a sick day because if I did not, it would only get worse and then make a trip that I’ve planned for months miserable. I would appreciate if this individual took some time off to rest – as it would certainly help. I am in no way discriminating against her. I rather like her. But these little quarks make office situations unbearable at times.

And Kathy, I think that people who emit these qualities, on a flamboyant/regular basis, can seriously affect the office environment in a negative way. A frequent gossiper, for example, can RUIN an office. Whereas a woman who has cats and they are her family, it may be cute and entertaining for the first bit, but can be extremely annoying and distracting if persistent.

I guess I am just refuting that fact that you say “if they are offensive, just walk away”. If you are in a small office environment, call centre, etc it’s not as easy those who have the flexibility to work elsewhere. Everybody has to conscious about how they are perceived in their office because it will ultimately determine how functional that office is.

Those that have to come in sick, because they’ve run out of sick time, and have a family of 6 to support and can’t afford to lose their job?

The woman whose life, is her cats?

The person, who thinks her “pink italic inspirational quotes in your signature block” are encouraging. And maybe they did encourage someone that day?

As much as you don’t want these things to be judgmental, they can very much be construed that way. And will be to those that fit these descriptions.

Now again, for those that don’t clean up after themselves, eat other peoples food, etc. That’s just wrong, and yes, they should handle their business. But the rest of it…I just don’t agree with.

We all have our quirks, and those quirks are either beautiful or offensive to another. If they’re offensive, just walk away.

Here’s my response to your article: http://kmburck.com/2012/01/12/wheres-our-empathy-really/

I am by no means an advocate of fitting people into boxes or adhering to a cookie cutter standard. Anyone who knows me can verify that’s 110% against everything I believe in.

I’m not arguing that anyone needs to keep their personality outside of the office; simply that people need to be aware of how their habits and quirks affect the people they work so closely with for 8 hours a day. These things absolutely *should* be common sense, but I think anyone who’s worked anywhere (or lived in the world) can attest to the fact that often people overlook the things that ought to be common sense.

This post wasn’t an attempt to “judge” people or (heaven forbid!) “discriminate” against them, and I’m a little disturbed that you read it that way. It’s a humorous means of pointing out common things that people do, often without realizing it, that can negatively affect their working environment.

I would never *not* talk to someone, “discriminate” against someone, or judge someone based on quirks like these, and nothing in this post advocates doing that. I sincerely trust that with the empathy you promote (a worthy attitude and an important reminder to people), you can take this article as it was meant to be written and not take offense from implications you are reading into it.

The fact that, we feel, we need to stop people from being themselves just to suit our needs, just proves how dead on ‘The Wall’ (by Pink Floyd, for those who don’t know) was. We’re all expected to be this cookie-cutter employee in Corp America. Even our students are expected to “fit a certain mold” or they’re labeled with ADD, ADHD, etc. And that to me, is just plain sad.

Why do we need to keep our personality outside of the office, outside of our school system, outside of any place where people can’t accept us for who we are?

Do I like a gossiper? No, but I let them know “Hey, that’s not my bag. Let’s chat about something else.”

Do I like it when people come into the office sick? It doesn’t really bother me, as I have a very strong immune system. And most companies only allows for so many days off, and maybe said person is having a tough time.

“The Guy Who Acts Like a Wannabe Celeb” Really? That’s his personality, and this is discrimination. So are a few others.

Hmm…you just gave me a great idea for a blog article. Thanks!

Let’s not forget empathy, and try to understand what that person might be going through, or how they were brought up, that makes/made them who they are today.

And also, don’t throw out food in an open garbage can next to your desk, in a conference room, etc. Throw it in the covered can in the kitchen–no one wants to smell the bananas peel you tossed away four days ago.

The examples are so true – I love it that you are able to say what most people are thinking about “that guy/gal”! The sad thing is that they are the ones who lack awareness and have little or no intention of changing these behaviors.

Thanks, I already posted it and will refer to this list in my training programs (and source YOU).

And I will grant you the tiara. But only because I know you, so you get a pass.

We definitely have “that guy” that leaves a rush project until 4:00 (conveniently, when they leave for the day), then dashes into a secretary’s office saying “get this out by 5:00!” before flying out the door.

Do not be this guy, people. Your coworkers would be eternally grateful.

Uh…didn’t you just?

The truth is only I am responsible for my own happiness, my own well being, and my own behavior at the office! When I spend too much time and attention on what everyone else is doing, it’s a sign I’m not focused on doing MY best.

But I have to say- What? No tiara on my birthday?! It’s my birthday and I’ll wear a tiara if I want to.

Chrysta