Talent Canada: Eccentric colleagues: Is your office like The Muppet Show?

What some people consider witty office banter may be viewed as disrespectful by others, causing apprehension and stress. (konradbak/Adobe Stock)

Every organization of some size that I ever worked for — or ever heard of — has one or two oddballs on payroll.

Nobody remembers the rationale for hiring them or what they were expected to do — they are just there. They’re part of the furniture and considered harmless goofs.

If newbies ask, it’s a matter of “Oh, that’s just Bob,” or “Jackie’s at it again.” By unspoken consensus, no one ever holds them to account.

Read more on Talent Canada, one of Canadian Manufacturing‘s sister publications.