WORKPLACE WTF?

Well now, here’s a little something for the kids . . . A guide to get you through those work situations that must happen to someone, somewhere. Gregory Bergman and Jodi Miller’s WTF? WORK: How to Survive 101 of the Office’s Worst F*#!-ing Situations (Adams Media, 2010, 248pp., Paper, $995) has a self-explanatory title, if you read an attempt at comedy into the “F*#!-ing” part.

It’s more about making you laugh than about actually helping you with any workplace issues. Organized according to the job trajectory—hiring, workplace situations, and firing—it’s packed with advice on coping when you show up for the interview hung over, what to do when your cougar boss comes on, what to do if you or anyone in your office has a kitten secretary you just can’t leave alone, the prospect of uncontrollable farting in the work place, and coping when you get fired.

Here’s WTF strategy No. 1 regarding what to do when you spill coffee on your computer: Start a Witch Hunt. Got to your boss and complain that some idiot came into your cubicle and knocked over your coffee, and didn’t have the damned decency to fess up to it. By the end of the day, he’ll be interrogating everyone, and will have long forgotten about that pressing assignment, buying you a couple more days.”

Helpful, no? WTF?

This article appears in Apr 14-20, 2010.