Friday, October 17, 2008

10 "Uh-Oh" Signs at Work




If one more person tells me not to panic, well, I might just panic.

The truth is, we get up every morning and we're not sure what is going to happen. The stock market will rise. It will fall. Chicken Little will go running down the street screaming something about the sky.

So, while it's easy for all the experts to tell us not to panic, it's kind of hard not to be a teensy bit apprehensive about what might await us every day. That's why I'm giving you this checklist so that you can be aware when it might be time to panic. Not that I'm a doomsayer. I'm just sayin'.

The 10 "Uh-Oh" signs at work:

1. Co-workers are putting stickers, bearing their names, on your office furniture.
2. The security guard takes your i.d. and draws a big "X" through your photo.
3. The electricity has been turned off in your cubicle. And mothballs put in your desk drawers.
4. The boss's secretary begins crying whenever she sees you, offering you gum and saying, "I always liked you."
5. HR included store coupons in your most recent paycheck.
6. The guy at the deli where you eat every day takes your "frequent eater" card and tears it up.
7. The IT department has changed your logon to "dead2us."
8. John McCain returns your donation check with a note: "You need this more than I do."
9. The mailroom guy is using your mailbox to store his lunch.
10. You finally get the best reserved parking space in the whole company.

What are some other "uh-oh" signs?




12 comments:

Robert Hruzek said...

11. Some guy comes in and says, "Hey Bob! I just checked the organization chart and your box is empty!"

Anita said...

Bob,
You mean the "guy" otherwise known as the bluebird of happiness? What a pal, huh, to race over and pass along such news. That is a difficult one...ouch.

Anonymous said...

You are asked to serve on the holiday party planning committee, even though the company has decided not to have one this year.

Anita said...

Diane,
LOL! That's a great addition.

Anonymous said...

This brought a smile to my face this morning. It's been years since I've been in Corporate America but your amusing pieces constantly remind me of what it could have been like had I stayed!

Thanks for the humor!

Anita said...

Stephen,
Ah, c'mon, I know you're so nostalgic for those times! Who doesn't love the smell of cubicles and panic in the morning? :)

John of Indiana said...

You come to work and some guy you've never met hands you a handshake, a smile, and a copy of "Who Stole my Cheez?"...

Or you try to log-in to your computer and it won't let you...

Anita said...

John,
I guess it would also be bad to get a "Dear John" letter. :)
(I'll bet you get tired of hearing that one.)
"Who Moved My Cheese" may become synonymous for "Who is taking my job?" huh?
Thanks for posting.

Anonymous said...

One good sign is when your boss starts assigning all your projects to other people and asking you to bring them up to speed...

Anita said...

Erika,
Yeah...sounds like you're going on permanent vacation!
Good one!

Unknown said...

Your boss comes into your office and asks you who you want to invite to your retirement party. (True story. Happened to me this week.)

Anita said...

Mikeb,
Oh, that's horrible. I can't believe such bad behavior.