Five Reasons Your Office Is Bad for You

One of the worst hazards that I personally experienced in an office for one dozen years was polluted indoor air. There were many toxic chemicals from a material lab, repeated carpet glueing operations and fresh paints. In addition, so much fiberglass was also puffing out of the ceiling air registers that I could swipe up a mouse-sized wad from my desk top with one swipe.

However, worst of all, all of the fresh air intake louvers in the air handling units of our office building had been frozen in the closed positon for years and no ever changed the air filters

Years later, I am still suffering from this prolonged stupidity over which I had no control.

"better not get pregnant" cheezzz that sucks. You know, the one thing that turned my work life around and my relationships around was having a great 'life coach' I can't emphasize this enough. She worked me through all the issues I had at work, including the fear of losing my job. I would highly recomment the coaches at www.healthyvibesuk.com My coach has helped me for 18 months now, and she is wonderful! Good Luck Sabsae

How abou the boss who gets free steaks for the holidays and then complains to whoever can hear that they are too small!! This office atmosphere is degrading and demoralizing...All I do is keep remebering - the light bill is paid the light bill is paid. Why do bosses and some co workers think that the way to treat ather employees as pigs and less than intelligent is the way to ensure success? Does it make you feel better than me to know you are a horrid human being?

I'm working from home now (and loving it!), but when I was in the office, I would walk to the bathroom that was farthest from my office. Not only did it help to stretch my legs for a bit, but it added much needed extra steps every day!

If your work situation is so bad, look for something else. It doesn't matter how much you invested in the company, they wouldn't hesitate to get rid of you if it suited them, no matter how dedicated you've been to the company. It's not the way it used to be, and you won't be rewarded for loyalty.

I believe you should if possible take at least 15 minutes to regroup or you will be fried at the end of the day. I sympathize with the woman that works with the two attorneys, I have worked for as many as seven and sometimes I had three criminal briefs to prepare for the State Appellate courts, regular duties, but I found if I did not take at least 15-30 minutes for a break away from desk - it was meltdown time. It took me a long time to realize that the attorneys, managers, etc. take a break and then go on to the next task - by law (federal and most states), it is illegal to work more than 6 hours without a break. Just get up and go downstairs and inhale the fresh air, regroup and then return to your desk - if it is that busy, you need to quantify your time and ask them to hire another support person, even if it part-time, students as you know are always looking for work. That person could answer the telephone, do the copying, filing and whatever menial, but important tasks that you have - they do not give out badges of honor for people that overwork themselves and that is not a put down because I have been you and I learned to work smarter not harder.

MAYBE TIGER_LILY1113 SHOULD NOT BE A TEACHER SINCE HER JOB IS SO BOTHERSOM TO HER! I WOULD NOT YOU TO BE MY CHILDS TEACHER WITH THAT ATTITUDE.

I believe you should if possible take at least 15 minutes to regroup or you will be fried at the end of the day. I sympathize with the woman that works with the two attorneys, I have worked for as many as seven and sometimes I had three criminal briefs to prepare for the State Appellate courts, regular duties, but I found if I did not take at least 15-30 minutes for a break away from desk - it was meltdown time. It took me a long time to realize that the attorneys, managers, etc. take a break and then go on to the next task - by law (federal and most states), it is illegal to work more than 6 hours without a break. Just get up and go downstairs and inhale the fresh air, regroup and then return to your desk - if it is that busy, you need to quantify your time and ask them to hire another support person, even if it part-time, students as you know are always looking for work. That person could answer the telephone, do the copying, filing and whatever menial, but important tasks that you have - they do not give out badges of honor for people that overwork themselves and that is not a put down because I have been you and I learned to work smarter not harder.

"It's all about legalgal" - over 30 references to herself and what she does in her post.

Frankly, we all have our accomplishments and stressful work environments.

Desk work not only has the hazards as outlined in the article, it also has office politics which really should be number one on the list. The other health hazards are poor circulation, co-workers who fail to stay at home with colds and flu, awkward postures causing a plethora of orthopedic issues, and inability to vent frustrations without ramifications.

Switching employment is a temporary fix - the problems are present in every office setting.

If I may add and ask: I agree with the last one. I have noticed that my health was not so good for a while, then it gets better, then it goes bad again. After studying the pattern, I noticed it coincided with the way my boss was doing. My boss' attitude has become the perfect example of what supervisors should not be or do. The bad thing is that I am in a horrible situation. I cannot afford to quit my job. I have put so much time and effort to my company and department. I am a member of a number of committees within my company, and many co workers praise my good work and dedication. I have wonderful benefits and of course accumulated vacation and sick leave. I have been with this company for 10 years and has become part of what I have planned for my future.
The situation with my boss has become so bad, I find myself crying with fear and praying she does not get aggravated in any which way. So, if any one out there has any suggestions to my dilemma, please post a comment. Talking to her is not an option; she is someone that will never tolerate anyone disagreeing with her. Going to her direct supervisor or human relations is just a faster way for me to lose my job. I have seen it time and time, when ever someone else tries to do something about her, the employee just simply has to quit from the poison she spits out from anger. I have seen it and witnessed her famous line??? I don???t fire anyone; I just make sure they are unhappy until they quit, and I am so good, they quit really quickly!"
I need my health for my family, I need my job for I am good at it, but I need to find a way to live or work with someone who loves to make others miserable. Anyone?

No one should just have to "get used to it". I have a good job, everyone treats everyone with respect, there is very little gossip and everyone is nice to each other. We all work together as a team and our management is the same way. If you don't like your job then find something you do like, you should'nt go to work everyday and be miserable.

These five reasons are exactly why I've worked nights for the past 20 years; ten of those years at the same place. Thank I love my job and the folks I work with. I have arthritis, so working in an office alone at night I can lay down on the floor and stretch and take sessions of Yoga for my lunch. And, I can't stand alot of noise, either, so nights is perfect!!! I did a stretch of day shift, found out quick that wasn't for me.

THere is another problem we all have with irritating people at work. It's their negative psychic energy!! This takes it's toll too in the form of negativity and irritability. I did find some good information on psihelp.com I found out how to reflect the energy back to my too evil bosses, and also spoke with some psychics online. Although it took a little practice, soon I was able to act like a mirror and reflect back the bad energy. I hope this helps!!!

Estrella07 - Sorry to burst your bubble, but if you think teaching is going to be "easier" than the job you have now, you are completely mistaken.
Try going into work at 6:30 in the morning, standing on your feet all day, dealing with children (and crazy parents), still not having time to eat lunch because your lunch half hour is spent making parent phone calls or making copies because the copier had a mile long line in front of it in the morning, then going home only to have another 5-6 hours of planning or grading to get done before the next school day.
Oh, don't forget about having to sacrifice your weekends for grading, planning, coaching or supervising another extracurriculuar activity. You can also kiss all the "vacation" days goodbye to taking additional schooling so you can stay "qualified" to be a teacher.
I HATE that people think teaching is such an "easy" job!
Sweetie, I hate to tell you, but people EVERYWHERE in their employment are unappreciated and overworked. Get used to it!!!

Most managers have there hands tied because the incompassionate corporate entities that strictly regulate the budget. Any profits used to better the environments of their employee's is seen as a loss. To bad they never realized that happy people are much more productive and likely to maintain their employment and experience with your company. Treat your employees better and they are more likely to take a personal ownership in their job and in your company and investments. Kind of funny, but you can tell how good the management is in alot of jobs by the condition of the stalls in the bathroom. Seems to me that people like to take out their aggression towards their boss or co-workers on the paint job in the stalls of the employee bathrooms. Of course this observation has only been confirmed in male restrooms!!!

well, it makes me glad I am 30 years and out of the sadistic rat race......hated to get up, and drive to the slave plantation to make a buck, with sadists and weirdos as co workers......I hate the fact others have to endure this imitation of life....it ain't easy....

...makes me happy I am 30 years and out of the slave labor rat race......I always hate getting up, tired, and fighting traffic, getting to a dull boring job with sadists as co-workers....slaving in the sweatshop plantation.......zzzzzzzz

Wow! I didn't know how good I've got it working my own schedule at home. Thanks for reminding me how much I don't miss the office, I'd almost forgotten.