Go Away Party

     When someone leaves a job you usually miss their smile and their service. Sometimes a co worker can be so unpleasant that you actually look forward to them leaving. What do you do when they have a party celebrating their departure?

     When I first got the job that I have now, I had an assistant manager that was an absolute terror. I was fresh out of college and needed training. In my interview she smiled and promised that I'd be trained. Once I was in my position, she became short and snippy. It got to the point that I preferred to make a mistake that to ask her a question. I was almost written up twice because of her. She would stand behind my chair silently like some sort of office ninja. She was always lurking around corners in hopes of seeing me do something.

     As I got better at my job, she still didn't let up. Anytime I asked a question she was dismissive. Half the time she didn't know the answer to any questions I was asking. She would constantly refer me to our department manager. As karma would have it, her position was eliminated corporate wide. I don't wish unemployment on anyone in this economy. I just didn't want her working with me. Months later as her last day drew near, the information for her going away party circulated. I smirked to myself at this. There was no way I was going. She had made me miserable. Why would I pretend to like her? There is a difference between being civil and not being authentic. When my co-workers asked if I was attending the party, I told them I was going to my grandmother's 70th birthday party. (It was actually a few days later.) On her last day she tearfully hugged me. I resisted the urge to wince.

     Office morale can be tough to maneuver, especially if a co worker is unpleasant. Be civil and professional. After work is your time. If you don't want to go to a going away party, don't. If you do choose to go, put on a happy face and think happy thoughts.