By Stephanie DuBois Melora Hardin might play a corporate barracuda in NBC's hit comedy, "The Office," but she believes America's single-minded pursuit of the proverbial brass ring is taking its toll on everyone.

"We're a work-driven culture... People don't say 'Who are you?' They say, 'What do you do?'" says Hardin. "And we're like the only culture in the world that doesn't have things like siestas. It's a little bit warped right now the way things are weighing on the other side"

Hardin -- who plays Corporate Manager Jan Levinson, the much-put-upon boss of the feckless Regional Manager Michael Scott (Steve Carell), with whom she's had an on-again, off-again affair in "The Office" -- says she appreciates that her character isn't the perfect corporate drone.

"I love that she's really flawed and she's really struggling because I think she represents a large part of our culture."

In real life, the Houston native is married to actor Gildart Jackson with whom she has two daughters, Rory, six, and Piper, two.

On the show, she says she'd like to see more of Jan's "homemaker side that's trying to come out. I'd like to see the bottom come out from under her world and her having to take a re-evaluation of her beliefs. Exploring her flaws a little bit more is interesting."

And the actress says if she had her druthers, Jan and Michael would be in it for the long haul.

"They should stay together. They're very volatile and a very interesting match," says Hardin. "I think they're probably one of the most interesting TV couples I've seen in a long time. I always describe Jan as having 'a hard exterior and a gooey center' and he appeals to that."

A second generation thespian, Hardin is the daughter of actor Jerry Hardin and acting manager Diane Hardin, and has been singing, acting and dancing since the age of six. The actress lays claim to some 14 pilots and innumerable guest spots on such series as "Gilmore Girls," "Without a Trace" and "Monk," in which she plays Monk's late wife, Trudy, in flashbacks.

However, "The Office" is her first successful series.

"It's been fantastic and such a joy to finally land one that's actually a hit," says Hardin of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning sitcom.

"I love this group of people and I love our exec-producer, Greg Daniels. It's really a lovely, playful environment and Greg also has a lot of integrity. If it remained like that I'd be thrilled to be a part of the show for however long it lasts."

Meanwhile, Hardin proudly reports, she's making inroads behind the camera.

"I just finished directing my first movie," she says of the as-yet-untitled project. "It's a love story about what would happen if you lost your soul mate and the soul mate stuck around to help you get over it and move on. It's very magical and very touching and heartwarming."

She adds it's also a true family affair.

"It's from a screenplay written by my husband and me," says Hardin. "My parents are in it and my daughters are in it."

Working with family on her directorial debut "was very intense," she admits. "But I had a wonderful experience. It was a very intimate, supportive environment. And it was such an exciting thing to have an arena to have that talent come together. It was wonderful to see." She adds, "I felt very used up at the end, which was very satisfying."

Hardin says she hasn't had the chance to direct an episode of "The Office" yet, "but I would love to do that."

She adds her "Office" cohorts have been following her journey to direct and "they've been incredibly supportive." Her series exec-producer, Daniels, has even offered his expertise.

"Greg has a copy of the rough cut of my film and he's going to take a look at it and give me his thoughts."

Corporate bosses take note. Playful environment, integrity, support, personal involvement with your employees...all make "The Office" a much happier and more productive place to be.