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Franke James
The irreverent
Co-creator of Office-Politics will wade in with her opinion on your dilemma, and seek advice from industry pros including Dr. John Burton (below).

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Dr. John Burton teaches Ethics at the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto, Canada

"I have a colleague who is calling me a 'backstabber'."

Issue XII, Article 2

Dear Office-Politics,

I have a colleague who, from time to time, will accuse me of something... usually vague. What unnerves me is that I don't know if he says such things to other people. I really suspect that he does. For example, just now he's calling me a "backstabber." I swear I have not intentionally done any backstabbing, and I have no idea what he might be talking about. I don't really want to complain uneccessarily, because my feeling is that the accuser in such situations is always looked upon with suspicion. And this guy gets a lot of sympathy, because he has a family, and I think it's pretty common knowledge that he has significant financial difficulties. I don't know if he\'s just paranoid, or if it's political warfare. What should I do?

Feeling Slandered



Dear Feeling Slandered,

Focus your attention elsewhere where it can help you to get noticed for good actions. Focus on the positive. Think of his insults/comments rolling off your back -- like water off a duck.

There will always be people like him that you encounter in life. A metaphor that comes to mind -- He is in the shadows. You are in the sunlight. Don't let him drag you down. You have more important things to be concerned about.

Thanks for writing to Office-Politics.

Cheers,

Franke James
Co-creator, Office-Politics Game
www.officepolitics.com


Dear Office-Politics,

Thanks. Something occurred to me after I wrote today, and it seemed to take the edge off his mood. The rest of the day went smoother. Unfortunately, I share an office with him (and another guy) as of a couple of months ago, so there are more opportunities to clash. But at least it seems to have passed for the moment. Your words are reassuring. Thank you.

Feeling Slandered

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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