Have you ever noticed that a lot of jobs seem to have the same cast of characters that show up? Think about your past jobs for a few minutes, you likely had one or more of the following people in all of them:
The Company Man
This is the guy who loves the company, no matter what it does. The company can do no wrong, it's the best place to work ever, he wouldn't leave for a billion dollars. He's totally drunk on the kool-aid. Usually he's the bosses pet, or he's been there for years happily dwelling in mediocrity. His job might be picking up shit, but damn it he'll be the best shit picker-upper ever because Mr. Smith is love, Mr. Smith is life and he deserves to be rich!
Mr/Mrs Urgent
Everything this person needs done is urgent, especially when it's not. Often they are a higher-ranking manager so they use that clout to demand immediate attention just because they think they're special. If they submit a request and it's not put to the front of the queue, expect an angry email to your boss's boss, if not higher, complaining that it's not done immediately. Also thinks they're super busy and therefore deserve special treatment.
Mr. Bad Mood
Every time this person talks it sounds like they're frustrated and in a bad mood, even if they aren't. They could be wishing someone a happy birthday and it would sound like they're pissed off. Sometimes this is the same as Mr/Mrs Urgent above.
The Workaholic
This is the person who is constantly working 24/7, not because they have to but because they genuinely want to. Doesn't matter if he's home or on vacation, he's likely to be logged in doing free work
The Tyrant
Usually found in small businesses, this is the arrogant, spoiled, entitled owner who thinks they're a special snowflake and everyone needs to kiss their ass. Often starting a business just to be "the boss" and lord it over people, chances are this character runs their business like a plantation or a feudal village. They usually come with their own troupe of supporting characters:
Inept Family Members
The Tyrant's spouse, children and/or siblings that are given high-ranking executive or director jobs, but do little or no work. Often even more clueless and mean than the Tyrant him/herself, these guys usually use family clout to get special treatment from everybody because you work for them too by extension.
The Weirdo
Often an older person, this character seems out of place at the job they perform, but performs it well even though their job is typically mind-numbingly boring. They often had a weird background before coming to work at the company years ago (for example, they were a minister or a lumberjack or a railroad conductor) but are happy and content to just coast along. Sometimes exhibits traits of the "Company Man" above.
Poor Old Bob
A variation of the Weirdo, Poor Old Bob has been with the company since it started or shortly thereafter. Since then, he's become sort of a manservant in addition to his regular duties. He washes the owner's car, he reminds the wife of her hair appointments, he goes to the mansion to care for the family's dog while they're on vacation for a month in Europe. He's too old and inept to find work elsewhere so he has no place else to go and is little more than a butler. He may or may not be appreciated instead of treated like dirt, but he's definitely taken advantage of constantly.
Smithers
Named after the Simpsons character, this guy is a miserable toady who fawns over the Tyrant and/or Inept Family constantly in order to curry favor, and usually gets it. Anyone who doesn't see their greatness and drinks the kool-aid is a threat to the dynasty and needs to be removed as quick as possible before they introduce any common sense into the organization.
What kinds of office stereotypes have you encountered?