Dilbert has been making office workers laugh for over fifteen years now. He’s the king of the cubicle, our avatar in comic format – not as well dressed as we think we are, of course, and utterly unable to iron a tie, but every bit as beleaguered by evil directors of HR and pointy-headed bosses as we are ourselves.
Mention a Dilbert cartoon to any colleague, and you’ll get a chuckle before you get to the punchline. He’s at his best, though, when he’s in his cube, both imprisoned by work and shielded, at least temporarily, from his colleagues’ prying eyes. It’s not a shock, then, that some of the best Dilbert cartoons take place in his cubicle.
10. You Can Check out Any Time You Like
Sometimes, with some Dilbert cartoons, it’s hard to remember whether you’re reading a comic or watching a documentary about modern office life. This is one of those strips.
9. The Bends
After years of working in a windowless cubicle, an innocent worker requests a move to new location, with natural light and a view of the outside world. Evil HR director Catbert grants his wish … at a price.
8. A Man’s Cube Is His Castle
This will seem totally normal to anyone who’s ever sent an instant message to her boss … five feet away.
7. What’s That Smell?
This is perhaps the only thing worse than that one guy in your office who always eats smelly soup for lunch.
6. I’ll Need a Business Case for This Business Case
Real estate is always a tricky business, even when the property in question is just a bunch of cubes.
5. He Outgrew His Container
They also say that taller candidates tend to become president. Maybe they outgrew a cube somewhere long ago?
4. There’s No Place Like Cube
So, this is like Wally’s version of a staycation, right?
3. That Idiot Is Whistling In His Cube Again
Like an ostrich, this cubicle dweller believes that if he can’t see you, you can’t see (or hear) him. Dilbert’s work-around solves the problem without getting into a confrontation. Can we have an Alice for our office?
2. Phil de Cube. In Fact, Phil All De Cubes.
Nothing says success like an imaginary workforce.
1. The Cubes Are as High as an Elephant’s Eye
In our minds, the cube farm is right next to the toner cartridge vineyard and the graveyard of broken fax machines.
All Comics Courtesy of Dilbert ©2011, Universal Uclick