Office Political

I requested to be a part of our skeleton staffing during the holiday season so I could save up my annual leave. There were a few duties here and there that were on my list. One of which happened to be creating a few posters for some clients. To make these poster durable, and oh-so-nice and shiny, they required laminating. The smell of melting plastic is indeed the highlight of my poster making career. Until I realised that I had to go through our receptionist, Sheena (aka The Laminatrix!).

Laminatrix (lam-i-na-trix) - noun - a woman who plays the dominant role in a sado-masochistic laminating relationship or encounter. Experiences arousal from the sandwiching of objects including, but not exclusive to, paper and cardboard, between two sheets of clear plastic.

So, I approached Sheena, asking if we had anymore plastic sleeves for laminating and she spat back at me with... "Yes, but you're not supposed to do any laminating!" I asked why, to which she responded with, "Any laminating has to go through me. I handle the laminating." Not knowing (and not wanting to know) what Sheena meant by handling the laminating, I asked her for her authorisation to finish these posters. A mere raise of her left eyebrow gave me my answer.

Why was I being denied access to the laminating facilities by a wannabe door-bitch, I couldn't quite work out, but it meant for that day at least there would be no shiny posters. When I told my manager that I couldn't have them laminated, he asked me if I asked Sheena for her permission?!

It wasn't until later I discovered that Sheena had been demoted from Office Manager at another office down to our reception about 2 years ago. Clearly still harbouring issues over said demotion, Sheena is now our office stationary/equipment Nazi. No pens for you. Ban 1 year?