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Every office has their share of characters. The workplace is a breeding ground for some of the best and worst of those who never grew out of their old ways or are busy climbing the ladder and leaning in. Women are not exempt!
We pointed out the male workplace stereotypes, from the player to the slacker. Now, here are 10 types of women in the workplace we all know, love, hate or tolerate.
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The Woman Who Leans Back
There seems to be no absence of women who lean back in the workplace, always a little nervous that something bad is going to go down. This woman is the co-worker you know of who stays chained to her desk throughout the day, who gets or seeks no recognition for her work and who is scared to speak up at the meetings to voice her opinion. She may be the co-worker who hasn’t had a raise or promotion in years and is intimidated by her superiors to continue to climb the corporate ladder.
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The Gossip Queen
The gossip queen in the office is someone we’ve grown to know and steer clear of because you never know when you might be the topic of discussion. She is the employee who makes her rounds in the office, gathering the juiciest news about everyone, from who is getting laid off soon to who was getting into trouble at the company party.This woman is yak yakking and stirring the pot!
The Know-It-All Secretary
The secretary in your office is usually the woman who knows everything about everything at work, from the ins and outs of the mailroom to the specifics of each meeting. She is the all-knowing mind of the office and the organizer, which means she has had a peek at everything, from payroll to expense reports. Looking for the best time to speak to your boss about a raise? Ask the secretary, who knows their schedule better than anyone else and can advise you on the best times to approach them. Need the meeting notes you missed? The secretary is the best person to go to. She can also wield her knowledge like a bludgeon, throwing shade just because. Don’t catch her on a bad day.
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The Co-Worker/Friend
If you are fortunate to have a co-worker who also doubles as a friend in the workplace, consider yourself lucky. This is the woman you have grown to personally know and like in your office. You two may spend time together outside of the office in non-work related atmospheres like happy hour or around each others families and share a bond outside of the busy life of work. She is the work BFF you need to vent to and keep your sanity between 9am and 5pm.
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The Mentor
A mentor in any office is one of the best roles in the office. As women, we all strive to have a mentor who can help us navigate workplace etiquette and often male-dominated landscapes. She is the one you run to during lunch and in between projects when you have a question. She is a listening ear and sounding board of advice when it comes to getting ahead of the game in the industry. She’s been where you are, and she’s helping you reach bigger and better things for the road ahead.
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The Ladder Climber
We all know the ladder climber. The woman who is all work and no play, trying to get ahead of her colleagues. She is deeply invested in getting a raise or a promotion and looking to solidify her position within the company. You can find her networking her way through the halls, speaking up at meetings, and suggesting her ideas, almost to the point of being obnoxious. Be honest… sometimes you wish you were a little more like her.
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The Mother Hen
In the office, there is always an older employee, whether it be a mentor type or a supervisor, that looks out for her fellow women employees. This woman knows the importance of women in the workplace and tries her best to provide an outlet for them to thrive, whether it be through mentorship, recognizing work-life balance or cultivating one-on-one relationships with the women in the office. She might not be on top of the org chart, but she’s one of the best people around.
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The Work Frenemy
She smiles in your face. All the time she wants to take your place. The frenemy has either stepped on your toes on the way to a promotion or raise or she is a competitive fellow co-worker looking to get a leg up on the competition. She’s making cutting remarks and give you sideways looks like it was part of her job description. Oftentimes, when you’ve finished a conversation with her, she shake your head and breathe deeply.
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The Guy’s Girl
There’s a guy’s girl everywhere you go, from school to work; the woman who’s a hit with the men around her. She could be seeking men in the workplace as eligible bachelors or trying to climb the male-dominated corporate ladder by making her presence known. You sometimes see her either wear way too revealing clothing, or quite the opposite, very manly office suits that will solidify her position and role to be taken seriously. Sometimes she’s the woman who can talk football and beer with the guys while she’s grabbing coffee in the kitchen. She either is the woman who seeks respect from her male colleagues or admiration to get ahead.
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The Control Freak
The control freak in the workplace is one who has to be in charge of every meeting, wants to lead every project and make sure everything goes exactly according to plan all the time. She is relentless in making sure the job is done, with constant emails and calls to you and your co-workers about the every day mundane duties as well as major projects.
