My Creepy Post Halloween

The office Halloween Party which I partly organised and my itinerary to visit my grannies in the cemetery are all checked, which means, Halloween is long gone in my list. It’s off my brain, and my imagination.

It’s the 6th of November, 2017 today.
My appointment in DFA is done and just slacking the rest of the day in my dad’s office.

My experience is short, simple, but nonetheless, creepy😳

I’m pretty sure that I was half awake, but my eyes are still drifting to sleep when I heard someone walking in my dad’s office.
Someone looking for my dad. It’s a woman. At least from the voice, it’s a woman.
Probably one of the teachers around (my dad is the department head for Technology Education in a school in Manila —so, people are looking for him every now and then, coming in and out of his office).

I heard the woman saying “Sir, sir! Andyan po ba kayo?”
That voice is talking to me and not really looking for my father.
I am sure that it was said inches away from my ears.
So I woke up, thinking that it could be that urgent, and I should give my dad a phone call for it (he is not around).

And guess what? I woke up to nothing.
NOTHING.
No one is around.
I checked the loo, it’s less than 10 steps away from me and nobody is there.
I walked to the door (10-15 steps away from me) and check if she just walked out, but no one is there.
Not even students were around outside his office.

My mom came in an hour or so, told her what happened. 

She advised me to always make the room a little noisy. 

Turn on the radio or the television.

She added that my brother had numerous experiences in my dad’s office. 

Noises of footsteps. Utensils in the kitchen. Voices.

First Day High at Work

I've been in and out of jobs for quite a while. Suddenly, on my first day of work in my present company, I thought of things that one should look for on their first day of work. 

Washroom

Why is it important?

This is probably the most available "comfort zone" for all employees. Here, you can take a rest for a bit from all the tasks on your plate. You can cry, literally, without anyone knowing it was you sobbing so bad in that cubicle (and not some lost spirit). 

What to look for?

Paper rolls and bidet sprayer. I promise, you'd be needing these 2 things when the time comes,  or if you're 'regular', then you know what I mean 🙃. Please don't forget to check if the flush is working! You know, be considerate to others. 

Contact Person

 

Why is it important? 

This is important so you won't waste your time waiting and looking for who should orient you with your tasks, project overview, account setup, logins, etc. 

Your first day may not be too serious and heavy; but when you come to think of it, you'll realize that there are lots of stuff to do!

What to look for?

Check the emails and/or SMS from the HR or Team Lead prior to your boarding date. Take note of the floor and building you are assigned to. Your account/project discussed on your HR orientation day. 

If all else fails, reach out to your HR contact person, in case you don't have any information available.  Normally, their numbers are posted on the previous email exchanges that you had, or probably from the SMS they've sent you on the first steps in the hiring process. 

Core Values, Goals, Vision-Mission, Objectives

Why is it important?
Your work ethics should be aligned with the company AND project's Core Values, Goals, Vision-Mission and Objectives.

Knowing these would lead you to know how their culture works; and knowing their culture can make you adjust to their ethics faster. 

It prevents you from "alienation"  to the company/project details that you will be  working on. It also gives you a target to achieve at the end of the day.

What to look for? 

These information are discussed generally during HR orientation. But for those companies that has a specific account to work on, they might have a separate or another set of culture discussion for the project. 

If it's permissible to take a shot of what is discussed, go for it; but if they said they would release a copy and send it via email, then that would be great. 

It's nice if you could think and ingest the project/company culture at an early stage. 

Food stalls, Diners, Pantry

Why is it important?

You won't be able to make the most of the day without eating. Breakfast is important, and if you're really busy with work, lunch is as important as your breakfast! 

Looking for such is also great for those who doesn't have the luxury of time to cook for the day's meal.

 

Pantries are also good for a quick getaway from the day's work and stress, while enjoying your food (or just by staring at it :-P).

What to look for?

 For those who opt to eat in the office pantry: if they have food concessionaire, great! You might have a cheaper option for your daily meal; 

You might also want to check out refrigerators and microwave ovens. Stock up and heat your food.

 

Check the location and price range of food stalls or diners that you consider when at work. So you'll get an option from cheap finds to grand delish (if you feel like going for it).

Why consider the location? --you don't want to be late for the after lunch login, do you? (:

Slumber Rooms / Sleeping Quarters

Why is it important?

Not all days are rainbows and chocolates. Some days are good,some days are bitchy. You might want to sleep it all off for few minutes or an hour (well, your lunch break).  

Other days could be your night out and yet, you need to be early for work. You might just want to sleep in the office. Of course don't forget to bring extra clothes for the next day's work. 

Note that not all companies have this section. Mostly, BPOs have it though. 

What to look for? 

Office tours are mostly done during the HR orientation day. Just in case you didn't have one and you need to look for it yourself, you can approach the HR or your team mates or maintenance people, even manong guard to help you find it. 

And if you don't have this in you office, it's either your desk can be your resting place or get a cup of coffee to sustain your energy until the end of the day. 

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P.S.  My list isn't really in order, it depends on what you're looking for in your workplace. It doesn't matter which one goes first. It's non-hierarchical. Cheers!