AHI's Employment Law Resource Center

Reprinted from the November 15, 2007 issue of HR Soapbox, a sounding board where AHI editors give you a lively and interesting read on HR topics causing consternation in the ranks, as well as the opportunity to put in your two cents.
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Jerks At Work: The Holiday Edition

We often get on our Soapbox and vent about the things — and people — that irritate us the most at work. Now seems like a good time of year to do it. Why? There are plenty of extra irritations related to the holidays. (And if you recognize yourself, give your co-workers a gift for the holidays and stop doing whatever it is you're doing to get on the list. Or make it a new year's resolution to get off the list.)

Scrooge: Plenty of offices have communal candy bowls, which tend to multiply after Halloween. One of my co-workers keeps hers right next to her door, in easy reach of everyone who walks by. I had another co-worker who had a stash of treats hidden in a bag on the bottom shelf of her bookcase. While she let me in on the sweet secret, I was miffed for the other employees whom she did not.

Ok, so I didn't really give my snubbed co-workers a second thought at that time. But the thought that any one of my current co-workers could be denying me their treats is horrifying!

The Thanksgiving Turkey: It's one thing when employees complain about a heavy workload or tight deadlines. You don't want to hear it, but you can kind of understand their need to gripe about these types of things. Now, it's the employees who complain about what the company didn't give them for the holidays, rather than appreciating what the company did, who are the real turkeys.

To those who complain about having to work the Friday after Thanksgiving and "only" having one day off for the holiday, give thanks that you don't have to work on Thanksgiving. And that you have a job to go to on Friday. To those who complain about how the company's holiday party is "only" a dinner, give thanks that your company is having a party. And that you aren't dreading spending time with your co-workers outside of work. To those who complain about a small year-end bonus…it's a BONUS, people…you could be getting nothing.

Grinch: Yes, the workplace is a place to work. But that doesn't mean it is wholly inappropriate to have a few laughs at work, especially around the holidays. However, some feel that having fun = goofing off, and they have an uncanny way of sucking all the fun out of the workplace. I have seen individuals walk into a room where people are sharing a light-hearted moment and kill the mood without saying a word; a scowl or a glare says it all

Old Man Winter: This employee, who is related to the Grinch, is just plain cold. They can pass you in the hallway without so much as a "hello." Or even an acknowledging head nod. Is a little eye contact asking for too much? It's even more apparent at company events, like a holiday party, where "Frosty" still can't seem to be bothered to socialize with others. Instead, you'll find this employee mainly huddled in a corner with their invited guest.

The Re-Gifter: There's always one person in the office whom no one wants as their "secret Santa." This is the employee who puts zero thought into the office grab bag. Who forgets to shop. Who rummages through their house five minutes before they leave for work on the day of the gift exchange. Who winds up dusting off a cheap plastic tree ornament…for the recipient who doesn't celebrate Christmas.

What makes it even worse is that the re-gifter always ends up being the recipient of a super fabulous one-of-a-kind gift. The disparity between the amount the re-gifter gushes about their amazing gift, and the attempt by the ornament recipient to choke out a "thanks," almost brings tears to my eyes.

New Year's Baby: Call me ageist, but if anyone is going to call out sick on January 2, it's the youngsters who are still hung over from New Year's Eve. I mean, come on, you have the holiday off to recover, but you went so far overboard, you need to burn a sick day the day after that? (Maybe I'm just jealous because I'm barely awake by the time the ball drops.)

My (early) holiday wish for you is that none of these employees work in your office!

Good luck, stay legal, and happy holidays to all!

Gloria Ju
Editor in Chief

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