Where's the super?

One of the guys I work with, Tim, decided he needed to file a grievance. Somebody in management decided he was no longer fit to do all of his duties so he was re-assigned. Tim disagreed with the decision and contacted the Human Resources office to file a grievance. H.R. told him he had to take it up with his immediate supervisor before if could be advanced to head office. Easier said then done. Tim went to three different people he thought were his supervisors. No luck. The first two people said they didn't know who his supervisor was. The third person's answer was far more interesting. When asked if she was Tim's supervisor the manager answered: "It depends. I'll get back to you."
A week later and still no answer.
Life in the office is full of surprises and events that defy common sense.
Have you experienced anything like this?

What not to say in a JOB INTERVIEW

I got a call today from a friend who just landed an important job interview and she wanted some advice. Prepare what you want to say about yourself, research the company and put a smile in your voice! That's my short answer.
I should have added: remember to pause and THINK before you answer a surprise question. I was once asked in a job interview how I handle stress. To my everlasting shame, I said the first thing that popped into my head (which was actually true at the time): that I handled stress by going home and yelling at my kids! Ouch! I still blush when I think of that. The job interviewers laughed.
I hope they thought I was kidding, but I doubt it. Needless to say, I didn't get the job.
Now, of course, I'd say I handle stress in all sorts of positive ways: by laughing lots, by exercising and by relaxing with good music, books and friends.

Office Plays Trailer: Handle the Office Bully

We've come up with a way to handle the jerk at work: the manager or boss who wants you to do all the work and get none of the credit. Manage the boss with clever comebacks and humor. In this case, we employ classic Shakespearean taunts and movie one-liners. Check out the trailer for www.officeplays.com

The Hospital Office

Humor brightens up a grim place, even a hospital ER. I recently spent 12 hours in an emergency room trying to get my ailing Dad some 'emergency' care. There were clearly far too few nurses for the steady influx of patients. Just like other offices, I thought, too few workers to get the job done right.
I listened to grown men groan and children wail. I marveled at the nurses heroically rushing about trying to juggle priorities. I heard the curse when the computer froze and the printer jammed. Amid the din, an announcement piped across the public address system: "Staff, patients and visitors invited to a free Mozart concert in the front lobby at noon."
Two nurses at the workstation stopped and laughed. One said, "What do they expect us to do? Drop everything and go and listen to music?" They both laughed, shook their heads and went back to work.
I tried to think of some of the other funny things that were probably said that I didn't hear. All those comic moments that can make a grim place a little brighter.

Tips for Surviving the Office Jungle

Laughter may be the best medicine when you're sick. It's also a great stress reliever at the office.
When my co-workers get on my nerves, I imagine them as caricatures in an office movie. Then instead of being annoyed with their outrageous opinions or boring stories, I find them hilarious.

The other day I arrived at the office to find all the chairs wrapped in decorative crepe paper. Every desk had a funny cartoon taped to it. Each one had been carefully selected to suit the personality of
the person who works at that spot. I was really touched to learn that two colleagues had stayed late to commit these 'random acts' of humor. It cheered us all up.

What's the most fun you've had at the office lately?

Not Alone

We believe there are many people wondering about what's really going on in offices around the world. Some of it is confusing, some of it is rewarding, some of it is very funny. Check back with us now and then as we highlight the amusing moments.

brain drain

I took this picture of an office building when I was on a business trip. Back when the company I work for had a travel budget. It was fairly early in the evening and I was struck by the fact EVERYONE had left their offices. Nobody working over time or plotting or pacing or emailing or staring out the window back at me. It made me wonder if I was the only one working, although I was obviously using up some valuable company time by gazing out the window. I also wondered if anybody had a 'good day at the office' before leaving. If they made the sale, finished the report or, at least, had a good laugh.

is it the coffee?

The couple standing at the water cooler reminds me of my office. Or at least, the one I'd like to work in. Some place where men and women looking calm and casual share a few entertaining moments sipping a refreshing drink. Where I work, we dash to the coffee machine, mumble a brief greeting, complain about the coffee then rush back to our desks. Too much caffeine? Maybe we need a water cooler.