1. Cartoon: “Awkward office parties” by Kevin Moore https://good.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/office-meeting.png

In this cartoon by Kevin Moore epitomizes the sort of toxic work environment that many people are still exposed to. Five employees are present, and one asks, “So where d’ya guys wanna hold the next office party?” One guy at the table screams, “HOOTERS!” and holds up both his hands like a yahoo. The guy next to him says, “Dude! Hooters all the way!” The next guy down says, “I’m already hard.” The person sitting on the end of the table is a female, who raises her hand politely and says, “Um, excuse me...”

The cartoon can be used to diffuse tension in workplaces where the men do not realize that they are acting like buffoons. In many workplace environments, it may still be normative to talk about going to Hooters for the office party and about being “hard.” With women still in the minority of positions of power in organizations, their voices are silenced, drowned out by the men around them. The woman in this cartoon is too polite when she raises her hand. Therefore, the cartoon asks everyone in the workplace to think about changing their behavior.

Cartoon: “Lack of life/work balance,” by Cyanide and Happiness

https://good.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/office-comics.jpg

In this cartoon...

Finally, when it is Saturday, the only thing that changes is the window behind him—he is still stuck behind the desk and in front of the computer. This cartoon can be used to reduce the tension related both to being overworked and expected to do work at home, and also to the habits people have of not going outdoors on a sunny day. Many people viewing this cartoon will laugh at themselves if they are prone to staying indoors and surfing the web when it is the weekend.
2. MEMO

TO: ALL EMPLOYEES

FROM; OFFICE MANAGER

RE: BETTER FOOD FOR THE OFFICE KITCHEN

Eating Cheetos and Doritos for the last six months has been wonderful and makes us all feel like we are children again. However, many of us have children who are admonishing us for our eating habits. Little did we know that these kinds of junk foods might not be the best things for our physical health. In fact, it has recently come to my attention that the food in the office is junk. Some of our employees have complained to me personally about the caliber of food in our office.

I am writing this memo to inform you that as your office manager, I would never be as tyrannical as to completely remove Cheetos and Doritos from our pantry. Those who wish to indulge may do so, at your own risk. With recent clearance…