The Guardian, a British newspaper, recently published a list of the 10 things your boss hates about you.
How many of the reasons can a boss hate a slacker for?
1. Lateness.
According to the article, its not so much the repeated lateness that annoys our bosses–its the lame excuses we use. It is always best to find a route into the office that avoids your boss’s work area. Then you don’t even have to give an excuse. Just avoid him/her all day and you’re fine.
Hate a slacker? Yes. (Excuses or not, there’s still no way around this one.)
2. Lack of initiative
When I took my job, I agreed to do everything asked of me. And I do what is asked of me–no more, no…well, maybe a little bit less. I don’t feel like writing any more on this topic.
Hate a slacker? Yes.
3. Too much initiative
No worries here, I presume.
Hate a slacker? Definitely not.
see: When slacking turns to absolute sloth
4. Bitching and whining
The article touches more on bitching and whining about not getting taken out to a nice restaurant, or complaining about rude comments made by coworkers. I don’t really do any of these things…it’s a perk of avoiding everybody in the office. The only thing I really bitch about is when I get actual work assigned to me. And I just bitch here or to myself, not to anybody else. Certainly, not my boss or coworkers.
Hate a slacker? No
5. Disloyality
Apparently, the boss is always looking out for the staff, but the staff doesn’t spend enough time looking out for the boss. They point out his mistakes in front of others and take over meetings.
Slackers portray a more general disloyality to everything involved with their employment.
Hate a slacker? Yes.
see: Work everyday like its your last day
6. Lack of passion. Or interest.
Hate a slacker? Yes
7. Trying to be their best friend
This would be the worst possible thing for slackers. People might argue that if you’re friends with the boss, he’ll be more lenient, but not as lenient as if I never see him at all.
Hate a slacker? No
see: Don’t make friends at work.
8. Petty lying
Okay, the boss can hate me for this all he wants. A big part of successful slacking is having a list of excuses and problems stored up in your mind to be used at any time. Shouldn’t they hate people who make really big lies rather than little, tiny ones?
Hate a slacker? Yes
see: Avoid work by having a problem
9. Childishness
The article references childishness as leaving messes in the break area, complaining about the brand of toilet paper in the loo, and asking for a new biro. Biro? The article just got a bit to British for me. A biro is a ballpoint pen–interesting. I just go and take one from the supply closet or make friends with the admin assistant.
I’ve also never been in the break room at my new job (which I have had for 4 months). I wouldn’t want anybody to be able to accuse me of taking a break.
Hate a slacker? No
See: Befriend the administrative assistant.
10. Wanting their job.
No thanks.
Hate a slacker? No.
Overall it looks like my boss only hates me in 5 out of 10possible ways! Slackers may not get the most stuff done in the office, but that doesn’t mean they are to be any more hated than the average employee. We aren’t angling politically for a promotion, trying to do too much, or complaining to coworkers. So, please just semi-hate us.
