The Arsonist in the Office Quotes

“Ask about turnover rates. The average turnover rate at US companies is between 11 and 12 percent. Some industries have lower rates and others much higher. Ask your interviewers how long they have worked for the company and the length of time people in the department you’re interested in have worked for the company. Ask about the history of the position you are interviewing for. Have other people been in this role, or is it newly created? If it’s an existing job, ask why the last person left,”
― Pete Havel, The Arsonist in the Office: Fireproofing Your Life Against Toxic Coworkers, Bosses, Employees and Cultures

“Contemporaneous notes, as they’re called, assist in fighting what’s known as “memory decay” and may pay dividends at some point if you are being attacked by a coworker and need to document your experiences.”
― Pete Havel, The Arsonist in the Office: Fireproofing Your Life Against Toxic Coworkers, Bosses, Employees and Cultures

“Hazel began to utter strange notions about Alice’s role, including the idea that she needed to do something to demonstrate her loyalty. I hadn’t heard this schtick outside of Mafia movies. She verbalized at one point that “I want her to prove her loyalty. She should be willing to do anything I tell her to do. She’s got to prove she wants to be on my team.”
― Pete Havel, The Arsonist in the Office: Fireproofing Your Life Against Toxic Coworkers, Bosses, Employees and Cultures

“Of the employees whose managers were described as incompetent, inconsiderate, secretive, and uncommunicative, a whopping 60 percent suffered heart attacks or other life-threatening cardiac conditions.”
― Pete Havel, The Arsonist in the Office: Fireproofing Your Life Against Toxic Coworkers, Bosses, Employees and Cultures

“Then there’s absenteeism. Absenteeism is a purposeful and intentional skipping of work because of conditions people are facing at the job. It’s glorified hooky. It’s a significant financial hit. And it’s rampant in toxic workplaces because people have an oversized need to get out of the office. How expensive is absenteeism? Kaiser Permanente analyzed employee absenteeism and estimated it costs businesses $ 1,685 per employee per year.”
― Pete Havel, The Arsonist in the Office: Fireproofing Your Life Against Toxic Coworkers, Bosses, Employees and Cultures

“The Belittlers—These people hurl insults and putdowns at every opportunity. They’re better than you and their work is, too—just ask them!”
― Pete Havel, The Arsonist in the Office: Fireproofing Your Life Against Toxic Coworkers, Bosses, Employees and Cultures

“As she approached the table, I rose to my feet and shook her hand. “Thanks for coming, Hazel,” I said. “Thank you for inviting me,” she replied, giving me a head-to-toe look as we shook hands.”
― Pete Havel, The Arsonist in the Office: Fireproofing Your Life Against Toxic Coworkers, Bosses, Employees and Cultures