The 6 Different Roles at Work: A Funny Look at Work Roles

Have you ever noticed how no matter where you work, you always work with the same people? I'm not talking actual people, but like just like every good TV show has it's cast of characters, every place of employment has the same "roles", they are just played by different people each time.

You have the "Boss": Generally, this is someone who really doesn't know what's going on, but claims to know everything about everything. They drive the fancy car, have the big house, and if they work 20 hours a week, they take a vacation the next. They occupy the big office, and usually have some really ugly, yet really expensive piece of "art" hanging on their wall. They often claim to have an open door policy, but their door is always closed.

Then there's the "Complainer": Usually this person is in charge of human resources, because with their lack of social skills make them the perfect person to handle the paychecks and days off. Often they are anal retentive - say placing a coffee pot in the communal kitchen, and then complaining when someone makes Folger's instead of Starbucks.

Of course, there's always the "Priss": They are often dressed head to toe in designer clothing, and bragging about the deal the got on their new Prada bag or Gucci shoes. The "Priss" doesn't smoke or drink, and only shows up to company functions to look down their noses at those who do. They are rarely wrong, even though they are seldom right.

We can't forget the "12-Stepper": There's one in every office. This person is always recovering from something, and attends meeting 6 nights a week. The "12-Stepper" is often the advisor, not to mention the most depressing person at work, always reminding you that you could do better if you could just learn to accept the things you cannot change, find the courage to change the things you can and have the wisdom to know the difference. This is not the person you want to invite to Happy Hour, unless that happy little hour has time set aside for you to slit your wrists.

Next is the "Partier": This person always shows up still reeking of the joint they smoked on the way to work. Always smiling and full of "awesome ideas", like how cool it would be if you could fit a "kegorator" under the desk.

Lastly, you have the "Manager": Always overworked and underpaid, the "Manager" is the one who has to keep everything together, and maintain a semblance of business as usual, even in the face of a possible revolt. A thankless position, they come to work everyday with the same wearing the same defeated look, carrying the same brown bag lunch that they will eat at their desk, while taking care of the same tedium day in and day out.

So, next time you punch that clock, take a look around you, and see if you can figure out which role you play.