Spooky special: Monstrous coworkers to watch out for this Halloween

From mischievous goblins to life-draining vampires, creepy creatures are to be found in most workplaces all year round – though it’s only at Halloween that their true natures become obvious. At the same time, we all have our own quirky tendencies that can appear ghastly to our fellow workers. To help you identify which spooky staffers may be lurking in your office, Welcome to the Jungle has come up with a list of supernatural entities. Are you on it?

Vampires

One of the most annoying personalities in the workplace, vampires can be a draining presence. Instead of focusing on their own work, vampires feed on those around them. Signs your coworker may be a vampire include delegating their assignments to you, taking credit for your work, and a strong aversion to garlic. They shouldn’t be able to get away with it, but their charm and confidence seem to deflect any criticism or blame.

While slaying them would probably get you in trouble with HR, there are solutions to deal with your vampiric colleagues. The first step is to be proactive. Be vocal about your ideas and contributions so there isn’t an opportunity for someone else to take credit. Communication is also key. If your colleague is trying to pawn their work off on you, you need to set boundaries. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself if you feel you’re being taken advantage of.

Ghosts

Ghosts are illusory yet irritating beings in the office. These coworkers are often seen around the building or online, but as soon as you need them, they disappear. You might hear stories about the mysterious HR person you need to contact, but no one can tell you exactly how to track them down. Their Slack status might always be active, but any messages you send seem to disappear into the void.

If a seance doesn’t work, there are other ways to make contact with the other side. Start by simply sending a follow-up message. Without being passive-aggressive, you can remind your coworker of your needs and ask them when they have time to get back to you. If that doesn’t work, you can try different methods of communication, such as scheduling a meeting or following up in person.

Witches

While witches may not be terrible to have around, they can cause friction at work. They might not wear conical hats and have long noses, but there are ways to tell if you’re working with a witch. Does one of your coworkers seem to mysteriously accomplish an inhuman amount of work? No matter how many assignments they have, do they always manage to finish projects ahead of schedule? If it appears that they would have to be conjuring dark forces in order to feasibly accomplish all the tasks they take on, they might be a witch.

Their work ethic may seem impressive, but it isn’t something you should feel obligated to keep up with. They may be a superstar at work, yet witches often spend so much time on their careers that their personal lives suffer. There’s a reason the stereotype has them living alone in the woods with only cats and toads to keep them company.

Fairies

Less terrifying than the other characters on this list, fairies can be a great addition to the office. While some might call them “personality hires,” they contribute to the workplace in their own way. They might not be quite as productive or ambitious as their peers, but their cheerful attitudes and networking abilities create a more positive atmosphere in the office.

Mummies

Mummies are workers who keep everything – pun intended – under wraps. Regardless of whether it’s intentional or simply the result of poor communication, mummies can cause a great deal of frustration by leaving coworkers in the dark about important subjects. Work can be stressful enough without someone refusing to share information or be more transparent when something is happening at the office.

Whether it’s your manager withholding information about big changes coming down the pipe, or a recruiter being too vague during the hiring process, mummies can be difficult to deal with. If you feel that there is a lack of communication or transparency in the workplace, it’s important to address it, so it doesn’t cause undue stress or confusion. If you feel you aren’t being kept informed on work matters, try expressing your concerns. If it’s something that affects you, you should be in the loop, and if there’s a reason certain information can’t be shared, it’s good to know that too.

Goblins

While mostly harmless, goblins can become a bit of a nuisance. Goblins seem to be constantly distracting themselves and others at work. From pulling office pranks to making spectacles of themselves, it can become tiresome when it starts to impact your work. Along with disturbing the peace in the office, they also have a lack of respect for the unspoken rules of the workplace. They eat other people’s food from the fridge, leave dirty coffee mugs lying around, and make loud phone calls in communal spaces.

When you work with someone like this, it’s necessary to set boundaries if their behavior starts to affect your productivity. If you find yourself unable to concentrate because they’re making a scene across the room or that they start chatting to you just when you are trying to focus, then it might be time to have a conversation with them about it. If you’re not able to work from home, but their constant chit-chat or hijinks make it hard to get anything done, it’s important to share your expectations for creating a harmonious, productive environment in the office.

Zombies

Perhaps the scariest of all, the zombie lifestyle is one we should all hope to avoid. Whether they’re struggling with burnout or just working towards the weekend, zombies clock in at 9AM, work mindlessly on a task all day, and clock out at 5PM. While they get all their work done, they don’t take any enjoyment from their career or make connections with their coworkers.

Worse still, what if you’re the zombie. If you think you may be zombified, the best thing to do is assess your situation. Are you simply exhausted from your workload? Do you not find fulfillment in your role? If it’s the latter, it may be time to look for a new position or even consider a career change. You spend a great deal of time at work, so it’s important to find something you take enjoyment from!

Photo: Welcome to the Jungle

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