Dealing with Demons in the Office

We all complain about work, colleagues, and bosses; it is a given. However, sometimes you reach a point where you just want to turn to that person who keeps complaining and ask why are they still here then?

I asked one of them, and that individual simply looked at me, and said “‘it’s better and more comfortable to work with the demons that you know.”

I took a moment to assess the situation and register his words; it did make sense somehow, but that also meant for me that he’s completely given up and has lost interest in risking an opportunity to better his situation.

Let’s say I worked for a certain company for 3 years and it was a living hell, but I was used to it. I knew the management, how the system operates, and I had comfortable working hours. Would that make me think twice before deciding to move on? I think not!

Think of how such a situation would be negative. In the previous edition, my colleague Reem discussed ‘The Human Black Hole’ where she mentioned how there are certain “people who completely drain you and exhaust you from your positivity, no matter how strong you try to stand.”

I believe the same is applicable for an organization as well. Regardless of how well you know the demons (colleagues, operation, systems, etc.), eventually that negative energy can drain you, and could kill you. People forget that working is not only to put food on your table, but you to also need to maintain your sanity and energy to come out of it healthily.

I believe it’s better to have some comfort level when you are at work, but not at the risk of your health. For example, I know an individual that worked at a company for a very long time. At one point it wasn’t sunshine anymore, and every day that he went home exhausted, he kept complaining about the same things to his wife. His wife asked him, ‘Then why stay!? Leave.” He replied, “My boss is good, I might not find someone like that in the future.”

After some research I learned that such an excuse would not suffice. There are so many factors you need to take into consideration when changing jobs, you cannot base the decision on one. Regardless of how well you know that demon, I believe that wherever you go you’ll meet new ones. Therefore, make an effort and move on.

Work is not worth ruining your mood, wasting your energy nor destroying your family life. At the end of the day, it is only work. You work with those demons for certain hours in a day. Make it clear that you are only available during those hours unless there’s an emergency.

Next, I learned that demons like to think that every person working underneath them is a personal slave that bows to every whim. That’s not true either; put your foot down, and stand your ground. Like I said, why must their joy come at your expense?

And finally, it doesn’t matter. Demon or human, you deserve to be healthy, happy and comfortable so think of yourself first before humoring the needs of the rest.