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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.

While working on the review, I find out that one of the bidders had already given my manager's son a summer job. I get the feeling that no matter what the results of the review, the winner is pre-ordained...
Arnie Herz, Author of Legal Sanity, "If it was pre-ordained, why would the manager waste your time having you do the review?"

September 2006

Dear Office-Politics,

My manager asked me to institute a review of our suppliers out of the blue. While working on the review, I find out that one of the prospective bidders had already given my manager's son a summer job. I get the feeling that no matter what the results of the review, the winner is pre-ordained. What can I do?

Pre-ordained or what?


Dear Pre-ordained or what?

If it was pre-ordained, why would the manager waste your time having you do the review? Further, if your review indicates that the prospective bidder does not offer better pricing, it will make it even harder for the Manager to hire them. It I were the manager and I wanted to hire the new company, the last thing I would want is a review.

Thanks for writing to Office-Politics.

Arnie Herz

Arnie Herz, Esq.
Author, LegalSanity
Attorney at Law


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