The first impressions of an office are comforting: a warm welcome, an important but not too imposing title, a nice ergonomically adjustable chair and desk conforming to some workplace health and safety specification, and lastly, friendly colleagues. It is a stable and rewarding environment, the fruit of modernity and equality, and all that you need to make an effort and contribute to society is at your fingertips.

Over a third of the workforce in the West is employed within the knowledge economy so they spend their days in the humble office. In relation to working elsewhere this environment is a relaxing place to be, but for all the comfort there are flipsides – it is not exactly a gravy train to an easy life. Beneath the gentle hum of productivity, social chit-chat and civility runs a vicious undercurrent of conduct, competitiveness, reward and status. At stake is your weekly wage, power, and a sense of worth and purpose in a world and time where nothing is certain. You can get left behind just for saying the ‘right’ things.