There Are Six Types of Co-Workers: Which Are You?

EMPLOYMENT

By: Zoe Samuel

6 Min Quiz

Image: 10'000 Hours / DigitalVision / Getty Images

About This Quiz

There are many archetypes in modern society, and none are more familiar than those we find at our work. After all, however often we change jobs in our lives, we spend most of our waking hours at work, so it's no surprise that we start to recognize constants that appear in one given workplace and then follow us to another.

An archetype is the perfect example of a thing; that is, it is unlike a stereotype, which is usually based on either outright falsehoods or a kernel of truth that has been extrapolated far beyond what it originally included. That's why it is so easy to recognize certain figures, from the rumor mill who always has the gossip to the den mother who always organizes the birthday cards to the rising star who is on an escalator directly to the corner office. Other office archetypes include the saboteur who constantly steps over others to get where they're going, the malingerer who is always sick just when you need them, and the doormat who would be delighted to give up their Saturday so you can complete that report on time.

Of course, while a person may fall into a workplace archetype, it doesn't mean that it is the entirety of who they are. You might be one of these figures at work, but very different outside of it. That's why it's important to figure out the role you're falling into at work, so that you can decide if it is authentic to who you are and who you want to be. If it is, embrace it, and if not, change it! Let's get started!

How would you recognize a colleague's birthday?

Advertisement

Do you ever refuse to take on more work?

Advertisement

Do you see yourself getting a corner office someday?

Advertisement

What do you typically wear to work?

Advertisement

What word would your coworkers use to describe you?

Advertisement

Have you ever taken credit for an idea that wasn't yours?

Advertisement

How often per year do you pull a sickie?

Advertisement

Do you spend a lot of time at the water cooler?

Advertisement

When they need a volunteer, how quickly does your hand go up?

Advertisement

How often do you work through the weekend?

Advertisement

What's your favorite thing about your job?

Advertisement

What's the first thing you added to your desk when you arrived?

Advertisement

If you won a million dollars on the lottery, how would it affect your work?

Advertisement

Have you ever competed for a promotion?

Advertisement

What do you consider your key source of power in your workplace?

Advertisement

What is your favorite part of a working day?

Advertisement

Have you ever covered for a colleague who snuck out of work?

Advertisement

Would you ever date someone at your workplace?

Advertisement

If your boss said they were leaving, what would be your first thought?

Advertisement

Have you ever signed up for a corporate retreat?

Advertisement

What was your key qualification to get the job you have?

Advertisement

If you were fired, why would you be fired?

Advertisement

What's your favorite perk of the job?

Advertisement

Have you ever stolen something from the office?

Advertisement

Where is your desk in relation to the boss's desk?

Advertisement

If a colleague does something against company rules, do you tell on them?

Advertisement

What change would make you move jobs?

Advertisement

Have you ever been a project lead?

Advertisement

Have you ever mentored someone junior to you?

Advertisement

Have you ever sent an email to the wrong person that got you in trouble?

Advertisement

Explore More Quizzes

About Zoo

Our goal at Zoo.com is to keep you entertained in this crazy life we all live.

We want you to look inward and explore new and interesting things about yourself. We want you to look outward and marvel at the world around you. We want you to laugh at past memories that helped shape the person you’ve become. We want to dream with you about all your future holds. Our hope is our quizzes and articles inspire you to do just that.

Life is a zoo! Embrace it on Zoo.com.