English Composition I
Student Classification Essay #4

Co-Workers

Co-workers. Almost everyone will experience them at some point in a job. Some co-workers can be a joy to work with, while others may not be. As an employee, I’ve had both good and bad experiences with co-workers; however, I’ve had to learn how to best handle the situations. As a worker, you have to know how to deal with all types of co-workers. If you are aware of the type of employee the staff member is, you can gain a better understanding as to what will work best to keep the work environment an enjoyable place.

The first type of co-worker you might experience is the slacker. The slacker is the employee who would rather sit around and get paid than do any work. This sluggish co-worker generally has no intention of completing workplace tasks on his or her own. He or she is also the most likely to shout “not it” when a customer is approaching the store. The slacker-type staff member can seem very difficult; however, he or she is not impossible to deal with. The easiest way to avoid conflict is to delegate tasks. For example, you could volunteer to complete a certain daunting duty if he or she accomplishes something else in exchange. Everybody can stay happy this way; you won’t be forced to do all of the labor and the slacker will be held accountable for some work (but not too much that they will become upset).

Another kind of co-worker you might meet is the chatterbox. Unlike the slacker, the chatterbox usually fully intends to accomplish tasks but often loses focus due to his or her own oftentimes unnecessary banter. The chatterbox is generally cheerful and outgoing, and the conversationalist can also be extraordinarily good at distracting you as well. This distraction is unintentional, but the causing you to lose focus on the job at hand can be bothersome. To best prevent this, perhaps you can suggest that you both complete the necessary tasks first, then converse during free time left over. Both parties can be satisfied this way. You will be pleased because the work can get done, and the chatterbox will be delighted because he or she can still chat.

Another sort of co-worker you will come in contact with is the commoner. This is the category most workers fall into. The commoner is a good people-person and is the person you would want to be scheduled with most often. He or she has a friendly and fun personality, but also understands when it’s time to turn serious and get down to business. The commoner is good with customers and other staff members and often causes very little conflict. Getting along with this type of co-worker is generally a breeze, and commoners are a pleasure to work with. Perhaps the best way you can work with a commoner is to strive to be one.

An additional type of co-worker is known as the workaholic. This person is constantly busy at work and rarely takes a moment to relax. He or she is almost always toiling away at something, or trying to impress the manager. The workaholic generally barely speaks except to customers, and he or she can sometimes come across as standoffish. Although this kind of co-worker doesn’t seem conflicting, a workaholic can actually be difficult to work with. To ease any potential tensions, you should split up tasks with this person at the beginning of the shift. That way the workaholic isn’t doing all the labor, and you both can finish it at your own pace.

From slackers to workaholics to a combination of characteristics, co-workers may always be unpredictable. However, if you take the time to get to know their work style, then you can understand how best to function and keep a pleasant work environment.