How do I obey the Law of Least Effort at work?

[Kuro]

It seems simple enough outside of work. Sure, I mess up now and then, but it really does seem simple.

At work, it's different. I feel almost like I'm obligated to do stuff for people since, you know, I've got to do my job. Someone who isn't even my boss will ask me to sweep... and I sweep. I get in trouble if I don't. Yet when I try to get one of my coworkers to do something for me, they don't do it. In fact, they usually get me to end up doing it even when they easily could.

Thw worst part is, I feel like my constant compliance on the job has made my coworkers lose respect for me outside of the job. Yes, including the cute girls that work there. Even when we're off the clock my coworkers expect me to fill their drinks for them and stuff like that. When I refuse, they act insulted. I even had one girl get really loud and dramatic when I refused to grab a towel for her; I had clocked off, but she was still working.

It's like they think I'm their butler or a yes man or something... and I just know it is killing any attraction the women might have had for me. -_-

 

[ray_zorse]

Eh, well, there are a number of issues here

(1) clarifying what exactly is your role... if it's not written down then try to have your boss write it down... is sweeping, mopping your role? passing towels? etc

(2) clarifying what is the chain of command... because although you might have a duty of sweeping, theoretically you'd only be sweeping places your boss asked you to. on the other hand, if your boss says "sweep whenever someone asks you to sweep and don't bother me about it"... then this command has in some sense been delegated to your coworkers, so you cannot really be a dick about it. even if it sucks taking orders from someone who isn't your direct superior -- think of them as requests, they're asking if you can fit it into your schedule and you're certainly free to take it to the boss to clarify what is your schedule, but you can probably make the call yourself.

(3) being able to refuse compliance... on point (1) you'd say "well as much as I would love to pass you a towel that isn't part of my job description, so I think you could probably grab your own towel couldn't you?"... on point (2) you'd say "well, I as much as I'd love to grab you a towel, I also have other responsibilities which are not yet done, so I can't do that at the moment"

(4) asking for an exchange of equal or greater value in return... "sure, but i'll be asking you to fill the spare mop bucket for me next time i'm in a hurry and i'm using the main bucket, cos that will save me time"

(5) dealing with compliance requests outside of the work environment... simplest solution is not to hang with your colleagues, they sound like dicks. otherwise, get used to refusing compliance "pour you a drink? haha... do i look like a bartender? yeah, put me in a hollywood bar with lots of neon and teach me to juggle and sure i'll do that..." or "yeah, okay... you first i'll get the next one..." or "right on, i'm pouring, drinks are on you though"

Hope that helps.

-Ray

 

[Kuro]

I've been trying your advice out at work and it seems to be helping. There are still some coworkers acting entitled to having me as a butler, but like you said they're dicks. And I'm pretty sure that one girl is just a drama queen.