These are the worst employees in pop culture history

There is a lot we can learn from the “terrible employee trope” we often come across in popular media. As a case study, I’ve rounded up a few of the worst employees in pop culture history, including how to you can spot each trope in your own workforce and how to tackle each situation head-on.

Jim Halpert, ‘The Office’

It’s probably the first show that comes to mind when mentioning some of the worst employees on television. While Jim Halpert has shown definite promise in his position, he shows very little respect for his boss with condescending and sarcastic remarks. He also pulls dangerous pranks on a number of employees. With potential aplenty, these employees need to know that you value their skill, but that focus is becoming a bit of an issue. By explaining the impact of the situation they are causing, you can both find a mutual solution that plays to their strengths and keeps them engaged.

Rebecca Bloomwood, ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’

Experienced journalist Rebecca Bloomwood miraculously scores a job at a personal finance magazine — which is ironic, seeing as she is on the brink of bankruptcy herself. While the saying “fake it ‘til you make it” rings true occasionally, she shows very little preparedness and interest in her job and even interviews with a competitor. What do you do when an employee no longer shows interest in their job? Set up a one-on-one meeting and have a conversation about why they think they aren’t performing as well as expected or are showing little interest in their job.

3. Randall Boggs, ‘Monsters Inc.’

Randall Boggs has one goal: to be the top scarer at work. To accomplish this, Randall commits an unethical crime and fudges his scare numbers — the equivalent of employee theft. Whether it’s check tampering, recording false sales for commission or even lying about work hours, employee theft can never be tolerated. Other common unethical behaviors in human resources include the misuse of company time, lying and violating contracts. While spotting unethical behavior in a work setting can be tricky, it is the manager’s responsibility to reinforce company ethics and standards.