Coworkers

Let’s say you have a co-worker with whom you don’t spend much time interacting and this person has started to pop into your cubicle often. Then you notice that you keep running into him/her in the hallway or parking lot. Would you think this odd or disturbing? It's possible it wouldn’t even register on your radar. But what if the person tried to friend you on Facebook, sent you personal emails at work or called you on your cell? Has your “Okay, that’s creepy” alarm gone off yet? Maybe not, but now you might be concerned about this co-worker’s actions.The word “stalking” is thrown around a lot these days and sometimes in a humorous tone. But stalking is a criminal offense and can be horrific for the victims. Findlaw.com defines stalking as follows...“Stalking laws in most states pertain to a relatively new crime involving a clear pattern of conduct in which the offender follows, harasses, or threatens another person, … [Read more...] about Is That Co-Worker Just Too Chummy or Stalking You?

I'm a big believer in keeping your home and work life separate.  I mean like Great Wall of China separate.  That's why my cubicle is empty.  However, after more than 10 years as a member of the workforce, I am convinced that no matter what you do, or how hard you try, the two worlds will inevitably seep together. And that's OK. Perhaps you met your best friend or significant other under the fluorescent lights of work.  Since we spend so much time together, it makes sense, right?  There are a few core reasons why we form relationships with our coworkers.  Here are the five most common... THE JADED.  You "bond" by verbally abusing the boss and/or poking fun at your fellow coworkers.  Or perhaps you both feel like you are wasting your lives away with a dead-end company.  Either way, this relationship is built on negativity.  Psychologists might tell you that this relationship does not have a fighting chance to survive once the "common evil" is removed - but I have seen it … [Read more...] about Why We Form Work Relationships

When people want to complain about their jobs they seek me out.  It's a curse, a blessing, and part of the reason I started Jobacle.com.Several recent vent sessions with different colleagues and friends revealed a compelling consistancy: people are willing to stay at jobs that make them unhappy when they "like" the people they work with.  I think that's crazy.If your work relationships are fulfilling your need for personal relationships, you might want to take a look in the mirror and ask yourself why.  I'm not calling you out for not having friends, I understand how difficult it is to meet new friends as an adult - and where better to make a connection than the place where you spend a third of your life.  However, the more personal you get with people at work, the greater the odds that emotion - a major workplace enemy - will seep in.  Oh, and the boss ain't your friend.If you're staying in a hapless job because you share some laughs with your cubemates, … [Read more...] about Work Friends Are Not a Reason to Stay at a Job

Every office has a party planner; the worker who takes it upon his or herself to collect $5 from everyone to buy a birthday cake.  These are usually the same people who make a production and clean out the fridge when it's bursting at the seams.  The same folks who leave messages on the water cooler about the top of your bottle touching the lip of the spout.No has appointed them Office Planner, but they have assumed the unofficial role.Maybe I should be grateful that these people take on the tasks that I have no interest and no time to do.  But I don't.  In fact, I find them quite annoying.Perhaps they are just nice people looking to do nice things.  But there are other potential motives:- They don't have enough "real" work to do so they attach themselves to time-wasting projects.- They want control.  As the lonely peon at the bottom of the ladder, they are desperate to drive any project.- They want to show that they are 'go-getters.'  Will … [Read more...] about 5 Secret Motives of the Office Party Planner