Office Space

Hello dear readers! I apologize for my absence, but this work thing just keeps taking up so much time. The nerve! Last week I celebrated a year with my firm, and I was treated to stolen lunches and the freaking plague. I do love my firm, love what I do, and I really love my fellow employees. But the bad manners have really been showing as of late.

Last week I noticed lots of sniffling, coughing, and general snottiness. Cold and flu season is here, y’all. Every place I have ever worked, I have always wondered the same thing… Why in the hell do you come into work when you are sick and contagious?! People that have kids will notice that day cares and schools do not allow children to stay if they have a fever to prevent the spread of that nastiness. Why isn’t that the same for the workplace? Employers give us sick days for just that reason. Now I understand saving up your sick days for the Monday after a Saints win (A girl can dream, right?). But, sick days are really meant to be used when SICK. Last week, a co-worker called in on Monday to say that she was sick and probably contagious, and she was going to see the doctor. Well around noon, here she comes. She couldn’t get a doctor’s appointment, so she decided to come on in. Oh thanks! Thanks for thinking of all of us! I know you wanted to save your sick days, so feel free to come in and infect me so I can use mine. Amiright? In the words of Sweet Brown, “Ain’t nobody got time for that!” (http://youtu.be/udS-OcNtSWo) Please be considerate of others during cold and flu season. Cover your mouth, wash your hands, and for the love of Vitamin C, please stay home and rest if you have a fever. You’ll feel better, and your co-workers will be so appreciative.

Also in the past few weeks, I’ve had the misfortune of having my lunch stolen not once… but twice! Can you believe it? As is the case in most offices, each floor of our firm has a shared refrigerator. You know the drill, put your name and the date on your food, and it should be there when you’re hungry, right? Wrong. Last Monday I was excited to put my homemade pimento cheese sandwich right in my belly. Unfortunately someone else had the same idea, and I found the container in the trash. The horror! A few days later I decided to go cash in that delicious Dannon yogurt I had brought for breakfast. Again, gone. This really shouldn’t have to be said, but do not take food that is not yours. I am not yet the millionaire I strive to be, so to save a few bucks I bring my lunch. It helps me stick to a healthy food plan, and I’m not spending $10-$15 a day on food. Now all of my lunches will have threats of death on them. Some may see this as extreme, I see it as necessary. I will cut you if you touch this English Muffin. Don’t try me.

So the lesson today is to treat your work family the same you would treat your friends and family. Use common sense, and show some respect. Happy, healthy workplaces are created on mutual respect. A good way to do this? Mind your manners of course! I’m sure these aren’t the only offenses you might have seen in the work place, so feel free to send me any other examples of bad work behavior.