Hierarchy in the work place is as common as an office chair these days.  You will see it everywhere, it is not just office titles and official job roles which cut through office hierarchy, it is also somewhat political!

If you stand back and view this it is quite interesting.

Hierarchy in the office can be quite subtle and it is normally down to a number of things outside the official company job roles, these include; the amount of time that a person has been working at the company, the respect that these individuals command from their colleagues and political ‘clicks.’

There is actually a great deal that can be seen in office hierarchy simply through how the office furniture is positioned and which staff use what.  The office chair is the biggest giveaway because this is a very personal choice.  The best office chairs will normally be used by an office manager and / or by a person that is a long standing member of staff or a person that is held in high esteem by their colleagues.  The office chair can be the giveaway as to how a person perceives them and how others perceive them.

If a colleague is sitting on a leather office chair with arms they would either be pushy or hold a higher position of authority or be held in high regard by other workers from a political stand point.

Be sure to get concerned on the day that you end up being demoted to a rickety office chair – are you sure this isn’t a hint?