Tips to Survive Office Politics

The office environment is full of obstacles, pitfalls, and personality conflicts. The office workplace can be a fun place to go or it can be a stress monster and the most hostile place in your life. The change can happen quickly with little warning, be totally out of your control and will make you miserable quickly. once that snowball starts going, it is very hard to alter its course or slow it down.

Lose, Lose situation

My friend is recently involved in one of these office workplace disasters. She has gone from the "do-it-all alpha" in the office to be the most despised person. She is miserable, stressed out,on the verge of unemployment and a very unhappy person. She is a victim of gang mentality, with the weak employees ganging up on her to rid the workplace of someone who held them accountable and ran circles around them at performing the tasks of the position.

"Big Brother" reality TV meets Real Life




It almost feels like an episode of "Big Brother" coming to life. All of this nonsense has been tolerated and exacerbated by a supervisor who does not believe in procedure or standardization and is only interested in being liked by his subordinates. Personally, I believe he likes this internal conflict as it distracts his supervisors from his shoddy performance. My friend is totally innocent but that won't mean a reprieve from execution for her. This definitely isn't reality entertainment. It's serious stuff and will affect her future trying to explain what happened to future employers and will dramatically alter her life being separated from an income. All and all, no matter what happens, she loses. And rightfully so, so do they. They lose a competent person who actually cared about the company and wanted others to succeed.

 

Survival Tips to keep you safe from workplace politics

 

Stay neutral and don't participate in "water cooler" chat

• Remaining neutral on issues is a key to survival. Refraining from pointing fingers at someone will save that same finger from being pointed back in the future at you. Let the boss criticize your co-worker, don't confide in someone else who you think is an ally, they might not be in reality.

Don't overstep your boundaries

• Makes sure that when you supervise or correct a fellow employee it is with the knowledge and encouragement of a supervisor. Also, make sure that the person who will be corrected or retrained in a process understands that it is understood and with the authority of the immediate supervisor. In simple terms, don't become the teacher until it is expressly permitted that you are in charge to teach. People sometimes feel threatened and insecurities set in. They previously viewed you as a co-worker and that perception has now changed and they may feel that you are now an enemy and a threat to their job.

Documentation

• Just like an employer will document any actions against company policy, it is a wise person that keeps a daily journal on happenings at the workplace. If you were late to work because of an emergency at home, document that with a calendar journal. If you had an extended lunch because you combined a workplace chore with a lunch, make a notation. That way, if in the future, that day is called into question and used as evidence of misconduct, you will have a detailed journal of your side on the facts of the issue. A daily journal is a good tool for everyone to protect themselves against unfounded accusations that could lead to wrongful termination. With the dissolution of most unions, we are an easy target for an employer to dismiss since most states subscribe to "right to work" law.

A new broom sweeps clean

• There will always be people coming and going. New hires, retirees, temps filling in for vacationing permanent staff, new supervisors coming from the outside. These are all pitfalls to be especially careful, as they can lead to mortal danger if not handled correctly and prudently.

• With the introduction of a new supervisor, it is of extreme importance to refrain from the words, "Well, Mr. Jones used to have us do it this way." Wrong thing to say and can immediately sour a new relationship. Instead bite your tongue and understand that there is a new boss and a new procedure. If not, you might find yourself on the wrong side of that broom.

• New hires need guidance but be careful here as well. If they make mistakes early, your well thought, good intentions could back fire as they lay the blame of their mistakes at your feet. "Well, Ms. Smith said I should do it that way." This could lead to an issue with your supervisor or down the path to an antagonistic relationship with the new hire when you feign innocence that you never trained that way. Not a good place for either of you.

• Temps filling in for people away can also be problematic. They are all looking for full time employment and will be devious at times to get what they want. Watch out for the overeager temp. They are the ones that will double deal you behind your back.

 

Maturity vs. Immaturity in the workplace

I was once told that maturity and immaturity are separated by a thin margin. A mature person responds and an immature person reacts. The difference can be seconds apart. So the next time presented with an issue, think for a few minutes before responding rather than reacting. Those precious seconds can be a life and a job saver and will define your maturity level for everyone to witness. This is good advice for anyone anywhere in life not just the workplace.

 

Office politics can be a job in itself. But it is as important to maintain good interpersonal relationships in the office as it is to produce good work. Staying under the radar and remaining neutral are always good tactics to be the "good guy" in the workplace.