What is OfficePolitics.com? Real People. Real Problems. Expert Advice.
Franke James is Editor/Founder of Office-Politics.com and Inventor of the Office-Politics® Game. Peter R. Garber has worked as an HR professional for over 25 years and is the author of many business books including: Winning the Rat Race at Work and 100 Ways to Get on the Wrong Side of your Boss. Dina Beach Lynch, is an Ombudsman, Author and former attorney. An award-winning mediator, Dina served as the Corporate Ombudsman for the 7th largest bank in the US helping over 48,000 employees to resolve workplace issues. Dr. Rick Brandon is CEO of Brandon Partners. He has consulted and trained tens of thousands at corporations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries. Dr. Marty Seldman is one of America's most experienced executive coaches. His 35-year career includes expertise in executive coaching, group dynamics, cross-cultural studies, clinical psychology, and training. Arnie Herz, is a lawyer, mediator, speaker, author and consultant nationally recognized for his practical and inspired approach to conflict resolution and client counseling. Dr. John Burton LL.B. M.B.A. M.Div. Ph.D. is an ethicist, mediator, lawyer and theologian. John is currently located in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, working with Canada's aboriginal communities. |
They are reluctant to 'make waves' with this person... fearing they will sound like whiners who cannot take care of their own office difficulties...
February 2006 Dear Office-Politics, There are two new staff members in the office where I
work as the secretary. They come to me with many questions and comments
related to procedures and policies, as our boss does not work in the
same complex. Lately they have expressed concern regarding a co-worker
who seems to be taking over every meeting, not giving the two new employees
the opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns or present the cases
they are working on at the moment. They are reluctant, as new hires,
to 'make waves' with this person who has been employed two years longer
than they have, and they are also hesitant to bring it up to our boss,
fearing they will sound like whiners who cannot take care of their own
office difficulties. Dear Complaint-Window-is-Closed, Your instincts are ones to be trusted since your dilemma involves two co-workers who are not taking responsibility for cleaning up their own rooms! This is less an office politics issue and more one of basic communication skills of constructive confrontation, assertiveness, and accountability. You have paid your dues with these two, who DO sound like "whiners who cannot take care of their own office difficulties," as you yourself and they have framed it.
Close that window, Complaint Handler! Then get back to enjoying your job and these two peers rather than dreading seeing them down the hall! Thanks for writing to Office-Politics. Optimistically, Rick Brandon, Ph.D. and Marty Seldman, Ph.D., Co-authors Feedback from Complaint-Window-is-Closed
The Ethics Letters that appears as a feature of this Website is an educational and discussion oriented column designed to help the reader better understand ethical issues. The matters discussed in the letter are reviewed in a summary/abbreviated way and are only meant to foster thinking on the part of the reader. If a person decides to adopt or implement suggestions, they do so at their own risk. No representation or warranty is provided in relation to suggestions or the contents of the letter. Neither the authors of the letter, Franke James, John W. Burton, or the owners of this Website accept any liability whatsoever for any opinions expressed in the letter or for errors and omissions. Submission of letters to the Office-Politics Forum grants the Publisher, Nerdheaven Ltd. the right to reproduce, republish, repurpose and excerpt the submission in any and all other media, without compensation or contacting the author. Copyright Nerdheaven Ltd. 2002-2005
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