Gallery: You Are Not a Unique Snowflake: Desk Jobs Suck Everywhere

  • Image may contain Furniture Table Desk Electronics Computer Human Person Computer Keyboard and Keyboard
    Louis Quail
    01

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Metal trader, commodities, financial futures and options trading firm, London 2006.*
  • Image may contain Human Person Clothing and Apparel
    02

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Broker, commodities, financial futures and options trading firm, London 2006.*
  • China is filled with gorgeous scenery like this
    03

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Technical Support Officer (IT Department), customs, Santo Domingo, 2010.*
  • Image may contain Clothing Apparel Human Person Cloak and Fashion
    Louis Quail
    04

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Marketing executive, Department of Tourism and Marketing, Dubai, 2008.*
  • Image may contain Human Person Electronics Computer Hardware Hardware Computer Keyboard and Computer Keyboard
    Louis Quail
    05

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Investment representative, online share brokers, Leeds, UK.*
  • Image may contain Human Person Furniture Desk Table Electronics Computer Pc Monitor Lcd Screen Display and Screen
    ©louis quail
    06

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Assistant architects, Chinese architecture design and research Institute, Beijing, China, 2011.*
  • Image may contain Furniture Human Person Clothing Apparel Desk Table Shirt Keyboard Computer Hardware and Hardware
    ©louis quail
    07

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Internal auditor, asset management firm, Phnom Penh, 2010.*
  • Image may contain Furniture Table Desk Human Person Electronics Computer Screen Lcd Screen Monitor and Display
    Louis Quail
    08

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Team leader (with call center agent), call center, Cape Town, 2007.*
  • Image may contain Furniture Lamp Table Desk Simone Thomalla Human Person Electronics Monitor Screen and Display
    Louis Quail
    09

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Prouction manager, visual merchandising and displays firm, New York, 2007.*
  • Image may contain Human Person Electronics Computer Hardware Computer Keyboard Computer Keyboard and Hardware
    10

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Administration assistant, Department of Tourism and Marketing, Dubai, 2008.*
  • Image may contain Human Person Furniture Table Desk Electronics Monitor Display Screen Lcd Screen and Machine
    ©louisquail
    11

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Editor, daily newspaper, Berlin, 2008.*
  • Image may contain Furniture Chair Clothing Apparel Human Person Cushion Footwear Pants Shoe and Sitting
    Louis Quail
    12

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Call center agent, call center, Cape Town, 2007.*
  • Image may contain Human Person Furniture Table Desk Indoors Shelf and Room
    ©louisquail
    13

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Human resources officer, local government finance administration, Berlin, 2008.*
  • Image may contain Human Person Furniture Electronics Computer Table Desk Pc Coat Clothing Suit and Overcoat
    14

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Sales assistant, real estate office, Beijing, China, 2011.*
  • Image may contain Furniture Table Desk Electronics Computer Lcd Screen Monitor Screen and Display
    Louis Quail
    15

    Desk Job - Office life Around the World

    *Proprietry Trader, commodities, financial futures & options brokers, London.*
  • Image may contain Furniture Human Person Desk Table Electronics Computer Computer Keyboard and Keyboard
    ©louis quail
    16

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Architect Partner, Architectural Design and Planning firm, Beijing, 2011.*
  • Image may contain Human Person Footwear Clothing Apparel Shoe Furniture Pants Jeans and Denim
    Louis Quail
    17

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Call center agent, call center, Cape Town, South Africa.*
  • Image may contain Human Person Text Sitting Furniture and Table
    Louis Quail
    18

    Desk Job - Office life Around the World

    Accountant, commodities, financial futures and options trading firm, London 2006.
  • Image may contain Human Person Furniture Table Electronics Computer Keyboard Keyboard Computer and Computer Hardware
    Louis Quail
    19

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Human Resources Director, aluminium manufacturing foundry, Cape Town 2007.*
  • Image may contain Furniture Electronics Computer Laptop Pc Human Person Desk Table Tie Accessories and Accessory
    Louis Quail
    20

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *IT Worker, online share brokers, Leeds 2007.*
  • Image may contain Plant Human Person Flower Blossom Flower Arrangement Flower Bouquet Ornament Vase and Pottery
    ©louisquail
    21

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Designers, design department, Berliner Kurier, Berlin.*
  • Image may contain Furniture Table Desk Electronics Computer Human Person Keyboard and Computer Hardware
    Louis Quail
    22

    Desk Job - Workers at their Desks Around the World

    *Receptionist, IT outsourcing provider, Moscow 2004.*
Read More
Breathe Easy Thanks to the Best Air Purifier for Every Home
Protect your home against dust, pets, allergens, and more with the best air purifiers, tested firsthand.
Molly Higgins
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
The Best Mattresses You Can Buy Online in 2026
WIRED has tested 100-plus bed-in-a-box mattresses for a week each. Our top pick, the Helix Midnight Luxe hybrid, is the best bed you can buy online.
Julia Forbes
The Best Meal Kits of 2026, Tested by a Former Restaurant Critic
Here are the best delivery services and meal kits in 2026, including Martha Stewart’s meal service, a GLP-1–supportive plan, and a budget-friendly option.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Qi2 and MagSafe Wireless Chargers for Your Phone
Top up your Qi2 Android phone or MagSafe iPhone with a magnetic wireless charging stand, pad, car charger, or power bank.
Simon Hill
The 10 Best WIRED-Tested Pet Cameras
Whether you’re near or far, keep an eye on your fur baby with our favorite pet cameras.
Molly Higgins
The Best iPad to Buy (and a Few to Avoid)
Apple just raised its prices. Here’s an updated breakdown of the brand’s tablets to find the best one for your needs.
Luke Larsen
23 Gift Ideas for the Cook in Your Life
From the best air fryer to frying pans to knife sharpeners anyone can use, these ideas will keep the curious home chef in your life tinkering away.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Portable Power Stations for Blackouts, Camping, or Van Life
Whether you’re going off-grid or safeguarding against blackouts, these beefy, WIRED-tested batteries can keep the lights on.
Simon Hill
The Best iPhone 17 Cases and Accessories—We’ve Tested More Than 100
Protect your expensive iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone Pro, or iPhone 17e with our favorite cases and screen protectors.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best Wi-Fi Routers to Reach Every Corner of Your Home
Don’t suffer the buffer. These WIRED-tested home routers will deliver reliable internet across your home, whatever your needs or budget.
Simon Hill
28 Amazing STEM Toys Approved by WIRED Kids
We found lots of math-filled and science-rich toys for tiny nerds to assemble, bake, squish—or even tear apart and rebuild.
Simon Hill