This Festivus, an Airing of My Top 5 Grievances About Work

Today is Festivus, a holiday made popular by the ’90s sitcom “Seinfeld” that includes, among other festivities, an airing of grievances. I’m an equal-opportunity celebrator, so here are some of my grievances about work in general:

• Cubicles: There’s no privacy, which means taking your cell phone to some quiet corner of the office if you need to discuss sensitive information -- or maybe not, based on some of the conversations I’ve overheard over the years. I literally have had dreams of having an office with a door.
  


• Bad Coffee: I am not a morning person, so my java jolt is a necessary daily evil. But I need to buy it on the way in, because I’m not really down with office coffee.
  


• Unplowed Parking Lots: Here in the Northeast, we’re reeling from a massive ice storm and two snowstorms in a row, so this is on my mind. I’ve almost taken a header just walking out to my car on many a snowy day.
  


• Unproductive Meetings: I think most meetings are unnecessary, and even the necessary ones could be streamlined.
  


• Climate Control? I’ve yet to work in an office that was a perfect temperature. Artic air conditioners in the summer mean long sleeves despite the weather, and too much heat in the winter calls for dressing in layers.

What are your top five gripes about office life? Leave a comment below. And on a lighter note: Happy Festivus, happy Hanukkah and merry Christmas to all. For many of us, the holidays mean time out of the office and with family, and that’s nothing to complain about.

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