Survival of the fakest: 7 The Office characters ranked by who’d lie, cry, or quit first in a real job

The popular mockumentary sitcom The Office premiered in 2005 and became a global hit with its nine-season run. Winning praises and accolades, the show depicted the life of the employees of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Over 201 episodes, we got to see the different personalities of the employees working within the office of Dunder. From how they dealt with professional disasters to being unsatisfied with their jobs, like most people in the real world, these characters sometimes portrayed relatable emotions while going through a crisis that made us think what they would do if they were in a real office.

In this article, we will list 7 such characters from The Office who might lie, cry, or quit their real jobs.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.

7) Toby Flenderson

Paul Leiberstein in The Office | Image via Universal Television

The HR representative of Dunder Mifflin, Toby Flenderson (Paul Lieberstein), had a tumultuous relationship with Michael Scott as he was often seen suppressing Michael’s inappropriate jokes and fun, which resulted in Michael developing a hatred and detestation toward him.

Not only Michael, but when Andy and Jim had to deal with Toby, they also seemed visibly annoyed in The Office. In a real job, these things might impact his relationship with his colleagues, hampering his work due to a hostile environment toward him, which might prompt him to be sad or even quit his job.

6) Michael Scott

Steve Carell in The Office | Image via Universal Television

Although Michael Scott is one of the main characters of The Office and is often helpful to his employees, he still displays qualities that could affect his job in the real world.

For example, his constant desire to be the centre of attention is seen in season 3 during Phyllis’s wedding ceremony, where he thinks his performance would be the best and most important bit of the event. Also, in season 2, he wants to be looked after when he burns his foot, even though it was Dwight who needed more attention after suffering from a concussion.

Furthermore, his lack of understanding of social cues and his reaction to people who challenge his authority might pose a problem in a real job. For instance, when Toby points out his faults when he makes an inappropriate joke, he tries his best to fire him. His egotistical behavior when challenged might result in him crumbling and crying or even quitting the job.

5) Andy Bernard

Ed Helms in The Office | Image via Universal Television

Andy Bernard is one of the worst salesmen in the paper distribution company, second only to Pam, and also struggles with anger management problems as seen in Season 8 after learning that his position is given to Nellie. He throws a chair at Robert and punches a hole through the same wall that he damaged in season 3.

In a real job, Andy might struggle with his display of rage such as this as it would make him dangerous. Moreover, his unprofessionalism and lack of focus that he displays in season 9 might hamper his job in the real world as well.

4) Ryan Howard

B. J. Novak in The Office | Image via Universal Television

One of the negative characters from The Office, Ryan Howard, was not well-liked in Dunder Mifflin due to his arrogance and haughtiness. He was hired by Michael, and in season 3, he takes the position of Jan Levinson and becomes Michael’s superior. However, his boastful and showy life is short-lived as he gets arrested due to fraudulent activities where he misled the company’s shareholders.

In a real job, Ryan would have been the same, where he would lie to get to the top because of his ambitious nature until he is caught.

3) Angela Martin

Angela Kinsey in The Office | Image via Universal Television

The head of accounting, Angela Martin in The Office might be one of the unlikeable person in real life due to her hypocritical and also homophobic in nature. She has a habit of lying, as we have seen in season 2 when she lies to Michael about going to Jim’s party, and when called out on her lie, she does not even accept it.

Her overly judgmental nature might affect her relationships with her colleagues in a real office setting. For instance, in season 4, while planning the launch party for their new website, Phyllis quits the Party Planning Committee after Angela’s criticisms.

2) Creed Bratton

Creed Bratton in The Office | Image via Universal Television

Creed Bratton is one of the most mysterious characters in The Office as even the employees of Dunder Mifflin have no idea what he does for a job except playing spider solitaire. Creed is a dishonest crook who survived for a long time from the police despite being a wanted man with a history of criminal activities. Just like Ryan, he might be able to survive in a real job if he makes up a believable lie until the law eventually catches up to him.

1) Phyllis Vance

Phyllis Smith in The Office | Image via Universal Television

A sales representative in Dunder Mifflin, Phyllis Vance is introduced as a quiet and shy woman who is underconfident and depressed. However, at times, she can be witty too, as she depicted in season 3, when she makes fun of Michael by sharing with everybody that when they both were in the same school, people would make fun of Michael.

However, in a real job, Phyllis would have struggled due to her lack of confidence, as any criticism might make her emotional and could result in her crying sometimes.