Work Words

The poem for this episode – “ In praise of doctor’s receptionists ” – looks at gaslighting, possibly one of the worst of all behaviours in the workplace, and the possible consequences of doing such a thing…

The poem for this episode – “ We are all pragmatists when our backs are to the wall ” – shines a light on the notions of self-sacrifice and honour and how likely such things are to be seen in the office when bad times come to call…

“There’s always one…” and in the poem for this episode – titled “ Wee Billy Antichrist ” - we turn our attention towards that person in the office or call centre, the one who seems to believe the world revolves around them and who also appears to care very little for anyone else…

The poem for this episode – “ LIFE/work balance ” takes a long, hard look at the ubiquitous phrase “work life balance” and suggests a small amendment to it…

The poem in this episode – “ Not on his to-do list ” – is one of several poems featured in Work Words Volume 2 which looks at the way we try to balance our time and energy between the work place and our personal lives

The poem in this episode “ Take a picture ” looks at teams – great teams! – and the reality that even the best teams we are lucky enough to become a part of are unlikely to last forever…

The poem in this episode “ Shipping ” is about so-called harmless fun and how it can sometimes lead to rather more serious consequences for those who it is aimed at than may have been intended…

The poem in this episode “ Paper jam ” is about how we can sometimes drift into people pleasing – with this starting with small things like fixing a paper jam left for us by someone else – and the bad feelings this can slowly but surely create…

The poem in this episode – “ I need to see all your smiling faces ” – is about the push by some companies to get their staff back into the physical office instead of working more flexibly from home…

The poem in this episode – “ Cogs ” – looks at the ways we have of thinking about things and in particular how it can be easy to view work and the people in the office as nothing more than cogs in the machine and the possible consequences of doing so…

The poem in this episode – “ Your call is important to us ” – offers a glimpse into call centre life and reminds us that while companies may wish to project the notion that we will always have the same experience with them that this may not in fact be the case…

Content warning - Bereavement The poem for this episode is “ Representing the company ” – a look at the tradition of a company sending one or two staff along to a funeral to represent the company and support the staff member who suffered a bereavement Music https://www.purple-planet.com Work Words – Poems about the world of work and life in the office https://amzn.eu/d/etSDojJ The Pressure Cooker...

The poem for this episode is “ Must be the training that’s to blame ” – a heartfelt plea not to use the training team as convenient scapegoats Music https://www.purple-planet.com Work Words – Poems about the world of work and life in the office https://amzn.eu/d/etSDojJ The Pressure Cooker – A solo journaling game about toxic workplaces, office politics and the price of success https://www.driveth...

The poem for this episode is “ Ridden roughshod ” where a new manager makes some terrible choices which end up turning his team against him… Music https://www.purple-planet.com Work Words – Poems about the world of work and life in the office https://amzn.eu/d/etSDojJ The Pressure Cooker – A solo journaling game about toxic workplaces, office politics and the price of success https://www.drivethru...

The poem for this episode is “ Two hours to go ” which looks at the ethical dilemma of a salesperson in a toxic workplace faced with being under target and having just two hours to turn things around… Music https://www.purple-planet.com Work Words – Poems about the world of work and life in the office https://amzn.eu/d/etSDojJ The Pressure Cooker – A solo journaling game about toxic workplaces, of...

The poem for this episode is “ Mr Rock Star ” which turns the spotlight on that person who tells the world that their job is (unlike those of most office or call centre workers) wonderfully glamourous!  There are however, several things this person isn’t telling us… Music https://www.purple-planet.com Work Words – Poems about the world of work and life in the office https://amzn.eu/d/etSDojJ...

The poem for this episode is “ When the rot sets in ” in which a new manager chooses to act as the team’s friend instead of acting as their manager and reaps the consequences for doing so… Music https://www.purple-planet.com Work Words – Poems about the world of work and life in the office https://amzn.eu/d/etSDojJ The Pressure Cooker – A solo journaling game about toxic workplaces, office politic...

The poem for this episode is “ A false friend ” which casts the spotlight on those people who delight in nothing more than stirring things up in the office Music https://www.purple-planet.com Work Words – Poems about the world of work and life in the office https://amzn.eu/d/etSDojJ The Pressure Cooker – A solo journaling game about toxic workplaces, office politics and the price of success https:...

The poem for this episode is “ Stupid bloody yoga ” – a warning about putting work before our physical or mental health Music https://www.purple-planet.com Work Words – Poems about the world of work and life in the office https://amzn.eu/d/etSDojJ The Pressure Cooker – A solo journaling game about toxic workplaces, office politics and the price of success https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/51...

The poem for this episode is “ Born unto fire ” – a retort to the people who don’t want us to grow, develop and improve Music https://www.purple-planet.com Work Words – Poems about the world of work and life in the office https://amzn.eu/d/etSDojJ The Pressure Cooker – A solo journaling game about toxic workplaces, office politics and the price of success https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/51...

The poem for this episode is “ Sitting alone on the stairs ” which explores the consequences of poor judgements and poorer behaviour at a Christmas night out… Music https://www.purple-planet.com Work Words – Poems about the world of work and life in the office https://amzn.eu/d/etSDojJ The Pressure Cooker – A solo journaling game about toxic workplaces, office politics and the price of success htt...

The poem for this episode is “ Sharp scratch ” – a warning about the inevitable impact of a lack of ethics.  Karma never loses an address as they say… Music https://www.purple-planet.com Work Words – Poems about the world of work and life in the office https://amzn.eu/d/etSDojJ The Pressure Cooker – A solo journaling game about toxic workplaces, office politics and the price of success https:...

The poem for this episode is “ The Candyfloss Man ” – a look at why it may not pay you to listen to people who ply you with stories about how good the future is going to be… Music https://www.purple-planet.com Work Words – Poems about the world of work and life in the office https://amzn.eu/d/etSDojJ The Pressure Cooker – A solo journaling game about toxic workplaces, office politics and the price...

Content warning - Bereavement The poem for this episode is “ Dumpster diving ” which looks at the impact of a bereavement on someone in the office Music https://www.purple-planet.com Work Words – Poems about the world of work and life in the office https://amzn.eu/d/etSDojJ The Pressure Cooker – A solo journaling game about toxic workplaces, office politics and the price of success https://www.dri...

The poem for this episode is “ When her face lights up ” – a gentle plea to avoid playing favourites in the office Music https://www.purple-planet.com Work Words – Poems about the world of work and life in the office https://amzn.eu/d/etSDojJ The Pressure Cooker – A solo journaling game about toxic workplaces, office politics and the price of success https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/515353/...