What do you think?
Rate this book
The Arsonist in the Office: Fireproofing Your Life Against Toxic Coworkers, Bosses, Employees, and Cultures
The Arsonist in the Office is your survival guide for enduring the toxic workplace (and toxic people) and a call to action for a bold new approach to addressing tough issues. If you have ever led an organization or participated on a team and felt completely frustrated by the sabotage of another colleague, leader, or even client, this book is for you. Leaders, colleagues and organizations across the world have adopted this new movement - to not just "create" a great culture but to protect it. Building a great culture is always a worthy goal but fireproofing it - is just as important. The book provides detailed practical tools and tactics you need to know how to fireproof yourself and your culture from your organization's arsonists! Pete Havel is an innovative voice in the world of corporate transformation, and his book teaches top leaders at all levels how to effectively stop toxic movements and eliminate the arsonist lurking within an organization or team. This is a book that will ignite and empower everyone who reads it!
256 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2019
42 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 25, 2019
I had to stop reading this book three times to message three different people I know to read this book. Those people were all former co-workers who dealt with some of the same arsonists I survived.
If you work with people, read this book. Havel gives the reader information that I wish I had known before my own experiences. There were a few times I wondered if he somehow watched footage of my previous dealings. I found myself getting upset on his behalf.
Havel avoids the overly dry or preachy trappings of other business books. His writing is both entertaining and informative. The reader gets involved in his story which helps informative pieces more accessible than similar books.
I cannot recommend this one enough.
If you work with people, read this book. Havel gives the reader information that I wish I had known before my own experiences. There were a few times I wondered if he somehow watched footage of my previous dealings. I found myself getting upset on his behalf.
Havel avoids the overly dry or preachy trappings of other business books. His writing is both entertaining and informative. The reader gets involved in his story which helps informative pieces more accessible than similar books.
I cannot recommend this one enough.
February 14, 2020
I thought that this was well done, but limited. Half of it is good, solid advice about careers and surviving in the workplace, and it is as fine as far as it goes. The other half, the entertaining half, is the kind of workplace horror story that's best told over beer and nachos.
I mean, I have these stories, too, you probably do as well. There was the demanding boss who wore a necklace with a bell on it over Christmas; we tried to get her to wear it the whole year round so we would know she was coming. This was the person who cheered when I failed the bar exam, because it meant that I wouldn't leave to get a better job for six more months. Havel's story is... a bit more colorful, and well-told, but that's... all there is.
I mean, yes, Havel has a really good story (and the courage to share it), but it's just one story. He backs it up with the occasional reference to an article or a study, but the book doesn't offer that much in way of substance.
So that's part of the issue. The other part of the issue is that, on the scale of crazy and toxic co-workers, what Havel experienced in this book is something like 9 out of 10. Most people, honestly, aren't dealing with co-workers who stalk you into other timezones, or swan up to your spouse at an awards dinner. Even if you are, there should (hopefully) be systems in place in your workplace to protect you from that--but here, Havel's superiors were simultaneously terrified of the hostile employee and clinging to the promise of a cushy retirement to the point where (at least according to Havel) they did nothing to stop her.
If you are dealing with someone who is that toxic, that's one thing. If you're dealing with someone who's that untouchable, that's another thing. If you've got both--to the degree that Havel had both--then, honestly, all the advice books in the world aren't going to help you.
I mean, I have these stories, too, you probably do as well. There was the demanding boss who wore a necklace with a bell on it over Christmas; we tried to get her to wear it the whole year round so we would know she was coming. This was the person who cheered when I failed the bar exam, because it meant that I wouldn't leave to get a better job for six more months. Havel's story is... a bit more colorful, and well-told, but that's... all there is.
I mean, yes, Havel has a really good story (and the courage to share it), but it's just one story. He backs it up with the occasional reference to an article or a study, but the book doesn't offer that much in way of substance.
So that's part of the issue. The other part of the issue is that, on the scale of crazy and toxic co-workers, what Havel experienced in this book is something like 9 out of 10. Most people, honestly, aren't dealing with co-workers who stalk you into other timezones, or swan up to your spouse at an awards dinner. Even if you are, there should (hopefully) be systems in place in your workplace to protect you from that--but here, Havel's superiors were simultaneously terrified of the hostile employee and clinging to the promise of a cushy retirement to the point where (at least according to Havel) they did nothing to stop her.
If you are dealing with someone who is that toxic, that's one thing. If you're dealing with someone who's that untouchable, that's another thing. If you've got both--to the degree that Havel had both--then, honestly, all the advice books in the world aren't going to help you.
September 28, 2019
Very Helpful
Pete’s book was very helpful indeed, and I can relate to some of his troubles! He has a way of explaining his story in a humorous manner, while delivering his very important message of identifying and maybe surviving toxic organizations. A must read for anyone who finds themselves in a toxic organization and is looking for help on what to do next.
Pete’s book was very helpful indeed, and I can relate to some of his troubles! He has a way of explaining his story in a humorous manner, while delivering his very important message of identifying and maybe surviving toxic organizations. A must read for anyone who finds themselves in a toxic organization and is looking for help on what to do next.
July 2, 2022
So so good!
June 22, 2022
Author talks about some political orgs or NGOs, so a bit too focused on those contexts, but still relevant
October 24, 2020
Note that Goodreads ratings are based on how much you "like" the book. One star means that you did not like it, so that is why I chose that.
The main problem I had with the book is that the cover and title led me to believe that it was a mostly non-fiction book about how to deal with toxic co-workers or subordinates of various types. In reality the bulk of the book is a fictional account of a particular "arsonist in the office." I found the fictional account uninteresting and not particularly well written. The non-fiction sections were better. In addition, it was extreme and cartoonish in a way so as to make it fairly difficult to relate to real life situations. I was also looking for advice on how to handle one toxic co-worker, not an entire toxic culture (been there done that and not there anymore thank God.)
Secondly, the entire fictional account is based on a toxic worker who uses false claims of sexual harassment to get her way. Which, fine. But there's a very strange push/pull mix of "harassment victims deserve to be heard and helped" and "the me-too movement is destructive" narrative in there. It was also heavy on the advice for clearing your name from a complaint. The list on how to not get caught by sexual harassment in the first place reads like it's talking to people who have been harassing for a long time to finally wake up with "duh" examples. Which I guess has its place? Overall though, it seems to say that false claims of harassment are as prevalent a problem as people feeling silenced into not filing and/or being pushed out of a position or not believed when making harassment claims.
There were a few specific positives and negatives I had as well.
Positives:
-Chapter 18 has a few helpful tips on what to look for when deciding if a workplace you're considering joining might or might not be toxic. But there are also a lot of great articles on the internet about this very thing and some of them go more in depth.
-There is a point in the book made that HR is not always your "friend" so don't assume they are when dealing with a toxic work environment. Very very true. I appreciated that insight.
-There was a brief overview of other types of toxic workers, but less in depth information than I wanted.
Negatives:
-In Chapter 15 there is talk of fireproofing your career in a toxic environment, which I guess is helpful? But honestly I think the goal then should be to leave?
In summary, I felt like this wasn't the deep look into toxic workers that I really wanted. Most of it was the fictional account that I didn't really enjoy and that leaned in a way I didn't totally appreciate. In the somewhat helpful non-fiction sections, the information presented was mostly light and not as scientific or solution oriented for most workers' needs as I wanted.
The main problem I had with the book is that the cover and title led me to believe that it was a mostly non-fiction book about how to deal with toxic co-workers or subordinates of various types. In reality the bulk of the book is a fictional account of a particular "arsonist in the office." I found the fictional account uninteresting and not particularly well written. The non-fiction sections were better. In addition, it was extreme and cartoonish in a way so as to make it fairly difficult to relate to real life situations. I was also looking for advice on how to handle one toxic co-worker, not an entire toxic culture (been there done that and not there anymore thank God.)
Secondly, the entire fictional account is based on a toxic worker who uses false claims of sexual harassment to get her way. Which, fine. But there's a very strange push/pull mix of "harassment victims deserve to be heard and helped" and "the me-too movement is destructive" narrative in there. It was also heavy on the advice for clearing your name from a complaint. The list on how to not get caught by sexual harassment in the first place reads like it's talking to people who have been harassing for a long time to finally wake up with "duh" examples. Which I guess has its place? Overall though, it seems to say that false claims of harassment are as prevalent a problem as people feeling silenced into not filing and/or being pushed out of a position or not believed when making harassment claims.
There were a few specific positives and negatives I had as well.
Positives:
-Chapter 18 has a few helpful tips on what to look for when deciding if a workplace you're considering joining might or might not be toxic. But there are also a lot of great articles on the internet about this very thing and some of them go more in depth.
-There is a point in the book made that HR is not always your "friend" so don't assume they are when dealing with a toxic work environment. Very very true. I appreciated that insight.
-There was a brief overview of other types of toxic workers, but less in depth information than I wanted.
Negatives:
-In Chapter 15 there is talk of fireproofing your career in a toxic environment, which I guess is helpful? But honestly I think the goal then should be to leave?
In summary, I felt like this wasn't the deep look into toxic workers that I really wanted. Most of it was the fictional account that I didn't really enjoy and that leaned in a way I didn't totally appreciate. In the somewhat helpful non-fiction sections, the information presented was mostly light and not as scientific or solution oriented for most workers' needs as I wanted.
January 29, 2022
Insightful Read
This book really hit home with a company I had worked in for about 3 years. Wish I would have read it sooner
This book really hit home with a company I had worked in for about 3 years. Wish I would have read it sooner
January 18, 2022
Things have improved a lot over a decades however its not impossible to find an arsonist even today.
A good read before you encounter one or may be you are the "one".
Helps both ways.
A good read before you encounter one or may be you are the "one".
Helps both ways.
August 8, 2019
Fireproof your life and career
I recently saw a clip of an interview with the author on LinkedIn. Having survived a couple of “office arsonists” I immediately sought out a copy for myself. I am glad I did.
We all have experience with challenging or difficult co-workers at one time or another (and can even be that difficult person on a bad day)... but the arsonist is a special brand of difficult. These are the folks that will stop at nothing, who have no boundaries of normal decency, who when left unchecked in an organization can torch it and everyone in it to the ground.
I won’t go into detail on my own experiences with arsonists, suffice it to say the first one crashed and burned due to strong managerial response whereas the second is still happily setting people aflame. What I will say is that this book will offer reassurance, practical advice and constructive ways of approaching the impact an office arsonist has on your life and career to come out the other side minimally scathed.
It’s a great read.
I recently saw a clip of an interview with the author on LinkedIn. Having survived a couple of “office arsonists” I immediately sought out a copy for myself. I am glad I did.
We all have experience with challenging or difficult co-workers at one time or another (and can even be that difficult person on a bad day)... but the arsonist is a special brand of difficult. These are the folks that will stop at nothing, who have no boundaries of normal decency, who when left unchecked in an organization can torch it and everyone in it to the ground.
I won’t go into detail on my own experiences with arsonists, suffice it to say the first one crashed and burned due to strong managerial response whereas the second is still happily setting people aflame. What I will say is that this book will offer reassurance, practical advice and constructive ways of approaching the impact an office arsonist has on your life and career to come out the other side minimally scathed.
It’s a great read.
May 25, 2019
A must read for anyone who works in an office.
This book is like a survival guide for how to deal with toxic coworkers, toxic bosses and even regular relationships where one side can manipulate the other in devious ways to do their bidding. The lists in this book are where I took notes. Understanding people in this age is getting harder to do and corporate culture consumes so many lives. If the culture is toxic then the entire team needs to read it. I feel for the author because of what he had to go through to gain this understanding. It is wise to read this book and learn from his story. There is so much good that can happen to your work world if you recommend it and implement the suggestions. If you do your work life will change for the better. Amazing.
This book is like a survival guide for how to deal with toxic coworkers, toxic bosses and even regular relationships where one side can manipulate the other in devious ways to do their bidding. The lists in this book are where I took notes. Understanding people in this age is getting harder to do and corporate culture consumes so many lives. If the culture is toxic then the entire team needs to read it. I feel for the author because of what he had to go through to gain this understanding. It is wise to read this book and learn from his story. There is so much good that can happen to your work world if you recommend it and implement the suggestions. If you do your work life will change for the better. Amazing.
May 3, 2021
This book is about toxic individuals who are either bosses or workers of organizations. It provides resources and strategies that anyone—from workers to staff, top companies, to mom-and-pop shops, and members of NGOs, churches, and chambers of commerce—can use to defend themselves and their organizations from poisonous individuals and environments that devastate works, confidence, competitiveness, reputations, and financial performance. The author’s narrative is compelling, and it represents common circumstances that readers may experience in their own careers. Arsonists exist in any group, and you must be equipped to deal with them. This book is a must-read for everyone at any corporate level who finds themselves in a hostile environment and is unsure what to do.
April 5, 2019
This book is incredible. The fact that this author had to endure this work life in the first place is shocking. The fact that the organization dealt with it and turned a blinde eye is another. Sexual harassment would not be tolerated, why is this behavior? This is a fascinating read about a real life situational examination of inter office politics and hostile work environment. I really enjoyed reading this book and I am amazed that the author shared his experience so that others can cope, should they ever have to endure the same treatment. I also hope this is a lesson to those who maybe toxic. Examine why or how your behavior can be toxic to others and change for the better.
January 27, 2021
I enjoyed every page. Not only did he provide tips to avoid and handle toxic people and cultures but he also made it a fun read at the same time. Pete has a wonderful sense of humor and a positive attitude that made me want to keep reading. His words were filled with honesty and understanding. Thanks to this book I was finally able to go out there and get a job and because of this book I feel like I can face anything with time. This is one of the books that I will be suggesting to all my friends and family.
April 25, 2019
As entertaining as it is informative. I heard Pete speak about his disastrous job experience where he went toe-to-toe with an arsonist. The stories in the book are crazy and over-the-top, yet totally relatable because we've all run across characters like this. Although the author's experiences were really extreme. Having survived the arsonist, the author gives some great practical advice on how to survive if you're an employee and what to do if you manage an arsonist in your organization.
May 22, 2021
The book is largely about how to avoid getting your name involved in a metoo. scandal or avoid being accused by women in any manner.
I'm not sure if the editor saw the title and book together. And wonder if the stellar reviews this book has is by people who have read some other print.
I'm not sure if the editor saw the title and book together. And wonder if the stellar reviews this book has is by people who have read some other print.
December 20, 2020
Great advice! Easy to read!
May 23, 2024
Highly Recommend
This was a great book, and I highly recommend it to everyone. This should be required reading for people in leadership roles.
This was a great book, and I highly recommend it to everyone. This should be required reading for people in leadership roles.
August 10, 2025
One of the most insightful books I’ve read on workplace dynamics and toxicity.
The author weaves two parallel narratives: his personal experience with a destructive colleague, “Hazel,” and an analysis of the factors that enable such individuals to thrive in office environments. While Hazel’s behavior may seem extreme, it’s a compelling reminder that similar personalities do exist. The storytelling is engaging, and the lessons are highly relevant. I recommend this book to anyone navigating an office environment.
The author weaves two parallel narratives: his personal experience with a destructive colleague, “Hazel,” and an analysis of the factors that enable such individuals to thrive in office environments. While Hazel’s behavior may seem extreme, it’s a compelling reminder that similar personalities do exist. The storytelling is engaging, and the lessons are highly relevant. I recommend this book to anyone navigating an office environment.
September 14, 2025
A creative launch for a public speaking career and a fairly uninteresting book targeted at large companies leadership. Most people write a CV to get hired, Pete wrote a book instead.
April 6, 2020
It was fine, but it seemed like it dealt more with false accusations of sexual harassment than toxic coworkers more broadly. I would have loved to read more about Hazel's story from another female perspective. It seemed like the author implied that Hazel was safe at her job, because she had sexual relations with some supervisor at her office. The author was fired for trying to get rid of her and not understanding the other underlying details about the position.
I'm personally no longer under the assumption that there is a "perfect job" with "perfect people." I was hoping this book would give guidance on how to successfully navigate the office and the different temperaments but it really was just an autobiography of a small subset of the author's life.
The authors life is interesting, but the title was misleading.
I'm personally no longer under the assumption that there is a "perfect job" with "perfect people." I was hoping this book would give guidance on how to successfully navigate the office and the different temperaments but it really was just an autobiography of a small subset of the author's life.
The authors life is interesting, but the title was misleading.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews