I've never worked in an office environment.

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: CRXican
enjoy your fat neighbor that eats all day and talks at max volume in between meals

I was told I could listen to the radio, at a reasonable volume, from the hours of 9 and 11. Rita gets to listen to music, at a reasonable volume, when she's filing so I can to. Listen to my music, at a reasonable volume.

 

[SandEagle]

you don't have to flip burgers in an office.

but seriously, you don't even have to ask if they want fries with that either

 

[krunchykrome]

There will be people you like and people you dislike. Office politics are real, and they can affect your career.

Don't kiss a$$...be yourself and natural alliances will form

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
There will be people you like and people you dislike. Office politics are real, and they can affect your career.

Don't kiss a$$...be yourself and natural alliances will form

Natural alliances?

Okay Dwight Shrute.

 

[skace]

You always have 2-3 assholes, even if most people are completely normal.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: Scholzpdx
I've only worked day labor, service, grocery and retail so I just want to know what it's like in an office environment.

Are office politics a real big deal? Is everybody just one big giant asshole?

Or are people in your workplace more like people on the TV show, The Office? You know, like funny?

It varies. I've had jobs that really were a lot like the first couple seasons of The Office. Usually a smaller company with less policy, more concerned with the work getting done.

I'm at the polar opposite now, with a law degree and a government job. Very structured and formal. Not to say we don't go to happy hour, but it's usually with the contractors and lower level folks, not the boss.

In general, you might be able to get a feel for what it will be like when you interview, but if not, just be the guy that listens and doesn't give his opinion for the first week or two. Go to meetings, get a read on people, and go from there. Also, a wise person once told me, the first person you meet is probably the last person you want to know. It's been true in 3 of the 4 jobs I've had.

 

[imported_Imp]

I've worked in over 20 offices, 5 where I stayed longer than 3 days (off-site work). There's cliques and groups everywhere. My first job was 90% female co-workers, so I have gotten use to hanging around the ladies, and being their sponge.

It's true. A lot of people do try to pretend to be nice, but once someone turns the corner, they will have a shitload of bad things to say. Most of my female co-workers are like that now. They look super nice to everyone, then they turn on the shitface and tell me how much they hate most other people.

The men probably just don't say anything.

 

[lupi]

Originally posted by: Yukmouth
I've been working in office jobs for about eight years now.

If the crowed is young enough, it's just like highschool.

If the crowed is older, it's still just like highschool.

Just keep your eye on the sluts, do your work well and ignore everything else; the problems will elude you if you abide by this rule.

And after you've identified the sluts what do you do?

 

[joesmoke]

Originally posted by: lupi

Originally posted by: Yukmouth
I've been working in office jobs for about eight years now.

If the crowed is young enough, it's just like highschool.

If the crowed is older, it's still just like highschool.

Just keep your eye on the sluts, do your work well and ignore everything else; the problems will elude you if you abide by this rule.

And after you've identified the sluts what do you do?

Pretty much whatever you want, theyre usually open to suggestion... just dont spend much on dinner.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: lupi

Originally posted by: Yukmouth
I've been working in office jobs for about eight years now.

If the crowed is young enough, it's just like highschool.

If the crowed is older, it's still just like highschool.

Just keep your eye on the sluts, do your work well and ignore everything else; the problems will elude you if you abide by this rule.

And after you've identified the sluts what do you do?

If you've gotta ask that question...:roll:



Always remember to speak softly...and make sure everyone knows you're packing heat. 😛

 

[acheron]

Originally posted by: her209
You ever see the movie Office Space? Its exactly like that.

 

[Regs]

Depends on your department. In my department everybody talks trash about you behind your back. You could be "BFF" but the minute you let your guard down they will attack your personality and character like you are their worst enemy.

The best advice I can give you is just don't get worked up too much about what some people have to say about you. Always remain friendly but don't get too close to people with mixed loyalties. And as much as you may or may not hate your boss, never talk trash about him even to your closest friend. He controls your immediate future and can make transitioning to another job impossible or harder than it should be. Save all trash talking for home.

Also, disguise all your goals and objectives in accordance of your company's values. Don't do things selfishly or act on anger or emotion. Suck it up and go with the flow or you will get spit out or casted out of the organization very quick.


Whatever you do, do what you think is best within the organization. Don't take anyone's advice, unless it's a managers of course, and think for yourself. Don't wine to your boss about every little thing. Managers like it when you can manage yourself but don't take any unnecessary risks.

 

[KentState]

It really depends on senior management and how much drama they bring. When people have to fight for their jobs, the politics come into play. It also depends on the number of females in the organization. Everywhere I've worked, females generated 90% of the drama/politics.

 

[fulltilt39]

Originally posted by: KentState
It really depends on senior management and how much drama they bring. When people have to fight for their jobs, the politics come into play. It also depends on the number of females in the organization. Everywhere I've worked, females generated 90% of the drama/politics.

that's so true (although i happen to be one of the few anti-drama females, being in IT).

i walked into our women's bathroom this morning (there are 3 stalls) and while i'm doing what i do in there, i here this sobbing and 2 girls talking and one is very obviously distressed. i come out and her eyes are all red and the other girl is hugging her and being supportive about what an asshole her boss is and how mistreated she is.

:roll:

this is why i'm in IT - as long as all the computers and the network run ok and problems are solved in a timely manner, nobody gives me shit and i don't have to listen to all the politics.
drives me nuts.

/rant

 

[imported_inspire]

Originally posted by: Scholzpdx
I've only worked day labor, service, grocery and retail so I just want to know what it's like in an office environment.

Are office politics a real big deal? Is everybody just one big giant asshole?

Or are people in your workplace more like people on the TV show, The Office? You know, like funny?

Yes, and No, respectively. Two things to remember:
-> Office politics are a big deal, and they get bigger as you move up
-> Diversity is a double-edged sword.