It’s Halloween again and ‘tis the season to be sharing scary stories. But while you might have heard the tales about ghosts, ghouls, and hauntings, there are even more horrifying stories in the office. Virtua Solutions presents you with these spine-chilling tales of office horror.
Office Horror no. 1: Petsa De Peligro (The Date Of Peril)
We’re all excited to spend the fruits of our labor. But sometimes, you might get too excited and go on a shopping spree. And then you realize too late. Petsa De Peligro has arrived. Now, you face the dilemma of how to save that last 500 pesos until the next payday.
Image from Small Biz Club.
How To Survive The Horror
At this point, just like any cliched horror movie, we should probably be saying that we told you so. But it’s no use. The horror is already upon us. All we can now do is to survive. But how do we do that?
The best way to survive the horror is to prepare. Just like getting ready for any zombie apocalypse, you should stock up on all the essentials. That should give you enough fallback as you wait for the next supply drop, er, payday. Oh, and you want to stay indoors while waiting for the dreaded day to pass.
Office Horror No. 2: The Toxic Coworker
You know those horror B-movies where someone gets dumped into toxic chemicals and turns into a hideous monster? Well, the regular office, thankfully, isn’t flooded with toxic sludge. But toxic coworkers do abound.
Image from NY Post.
They come in many horrifying forms. There is the office bully who keeps harassing you even if you want to be left alone. You also encounter the credit hogger who hogs the spotlight even if you are the one who did all the work. And then there’s the micromanager who keeps on checking what you do throughout the day.
What’s terrifying is that they can infect you with their toxicity. Interact with them long enough and you will soon start exhibiting the same traits. Soon, you become a toxic coworker yourself.
How To Deal With The Horror
When thinking about how you can deal with toxic colleagues, there is one thing that you should keep in mind: you can’t avoid them. After all, you are working in the same company, in the same department. So, you will encounter them whether you like it or not.
The best way to deal with these people is to focus on controlling yourself. You don’t want them to overpower and influence your actions. Here, you want to focus more on positive interactions. If they start trying to engage you in rude behavior, think about how you can turn the situation around into a more beneficial one.
Office Horror No. 3: The Marites
The Marites are a unique breed of toxic co-worker in that you might not be directly involved with them. However, the constant gossiping can create a lot of distraction during work. Then there is the distrust these people can cause within the office.
Image from Inc.com.
It gets more horrifying, though, when the Marites’ gaze locks on to you. Soon, you will find yourself at the center of the weirdest tales. Most of these might be just tall tales that will get those around you laughing. But there would also be ones that can compromise your position at the office.
How To Deal With The Horror
Battling the marites can be a challenge. The most ideal approach is to talk to them politely. Explain that what they are doing can disrupt everyone’s work. Note that this might not necessarily stop them. But it will help draw attention to the matter. That would hopefully encourage the higher-ups to address the matter.
Ignoring the Marites, going deadma in local parlance, is also another potent weapon. However, this will require a strong willpower to not get distracted when you hear your name mentioned. On the other hand, you should know when to break out of it to deal with the Marites properly.
Office Horror No. 4: Scope Creep
Picture this scene, you are happily finishing that one last task before logging out and heading home. Then you see your supervisor walking towards you. Dead seeps into your bones as they ask if you could do one more task before leaving.
Image from Ignition.
Such simple requests are often a bit more of a nuisance. However, they can become terrifying if they start piling up. You soon find yourself having to play catchup and not being able to leave at the time you wanted.
How To Deal With The Horror
The first thing you should do to deal with scope creep is to have a clear delineation of your task. Here, work with your department heads to detail your list of tasks. Note that this should be something done by the whole team so that everyone agrees.
However, the more important thing to fight scope creep is your willingness to say no. While there are indeed tasks that need to be accomplished, not everything should be left to you. By learning to say no, you can regain your freedom to log out early.
Battle These Horrors And Regain Your Office Peace
These office horrors are definitely a lot scarier than any hauntings or ghost sightings because they can happen at any time. And when they happen, they will surely send chills down your spine. But do not fear. Once you learn how to deal with these horrors, the office can be a fun place again. Happy Halloween!