NAVIGATING OFFICE POLITICS

TOXICITY & OFFICE POLITICS

Sheena and Prabir worked at a management firm, a prominent one. They’d been keen on moving up the ladder ever since they’d found a foothold in the industry. This is probably why they got swayed by Mr. Aakash Mehra’s words quite frequently, he was their senior after all and was on a first-name basis with the company’s big names up in the golden suite.

It started off initially with Mr. Mehra making suggestions when they showed him their work and sought his guidance. He was critical, but usually rightly so. The young employees found his words to be informative and helpful which made them trust him even more. A few months passed by and Mr. Mehra started to point out the flaws in the management of the company in front of Sheena and Prabir. It was initially subtle and then direct. He would highly endorse not to do too much of work for this organization, learn to say ‘NO’ . He used to show his emotions seeing how hard they are working and would discourage them to do so. He would provoke his team against the organization and the management. Slowly, this was evidently seen and reflected in their performance and co-operation. They started despising the company, feeling they’d been wronged. They’d not gotten a promotion, a raise, or even a praise. 

This was pointed out to them by none other than Mr. Mehra who promised them that he’d take these issues up with the authorities and help them figure out what to do next.

Mr. Mehra did take it up with the authorities, but not in the manner the employees would've liked to. He pointed out to the superiors that the employees were not doing justice to the work. He complained that they just sat and bad-mouthed the company while he did their share of the work as well. Mr. Mehra took credit for their work, their efforts, and their time. He even started to create friction between the two young employees who were always on good and cordial terms with each other. It got to the point that there was always a negative vibe when the two were in the same room together. This impacted their group projects and tasks and the overall productivity of the organization. 

Mr. Mehra was quite a persuasive man and would’ve carried on with this little game of his if Sheena wouldn’t have realized what was actually going on. She realized that the organization’s senior management have placed so much of trust in Mr. Mehra, assigning him all the freedom to develop his team for future, had given him the required power, which was only at abuse. He kept on playing smartly, damaging the team so that there is no one who becomes his competitor or even the 2nd best in the organization. Sheena realised that she and Prabir were being used as pawns by Mr. Mehra in his own quest to please the authorities and achieve success and make his career journey to the top.

One day, Prabir got into a heated argument with the authorities after being fed lies by Mr. Mehra, he was in line for suspension. Even though Sheena and Prabir had some friction between them at that moment, Sheena took a brave decision to directly approach the superiors and avoid the middleman games played by

Mr. Mehra. She talked to the authorities and informed them about everything that took place between the two employees and Mr. Mehra in the last few months. The officials were shocked and upset to say the least, Prabir and Sheena were called for a meeting. Their suspicions were cleared and they were given the recognition and compensation for the efforts they’d put in that went unrecognised. Mr. Mehra, on the other hand, was called and a disciplinary hearing was scheduled to decide his fate.

WHAT DID WE LEARN HERE?

• Office politics is a universal phenomenon and no workplace in the world is an exception to this. Therefore, it becomes important that employees act wisely and practically when faced with hurdles or issues.
• There are many Mr. Mehras’ in the world, who are just waiting for you to let down your guard and lower your better sense of judgement so they can prey off of you. In such cases, one needs to be alert and aware of one’s own understanding of the workplace so no one else can manipulate them into thinking otherwise.
• If you have a problem in the office (of any sort) or an issue with the management, please approach the HR dept. or the bosses but not the middleman like Mr. Mehra. The HR dept. is especially formed to cater to your needs, issues and suggestions.
• If someone is unnecessarily and unapologetically bad-mouthing the company in front of you or near you, please inform the concerned authorities. Toxicity in the workplace should be strictly prohibited.
• For companies : Conduct a monthly meeting that let’s employees talk about their issues and take into consideration their suggestions. In this manner, they don’t have to go and confide into someone who wouldn’t be able to do justice, and maybe even use it against them.
• Make sure you are aware of the contributions you’ve made to the company and not let anyone make you feel inferior. If someone is bullying you, report them immediately to the concerned authorities. If you see a fellow employee getting bullied, help them.
• There should be a strict disciplinary procedure for those who try to disrupt the peace and harmony in the workplace.

Don't Allow Others to “USE” you. There is no “FREE” lunch!

If someone is showing extra care and attention, emotional sentiments, ask yourself is he/she really your well-wisher, then why is he/she not transparent in his communication and approach.  

Ask yourself, have you experienced anything unpleasant happening with you directly? Don’t end up damaging relationships with management or office colleagues without validating the facts, have a little patience and be watchful over the situations, do a little research to validate the facts, don’t take impulsive decisions. 

#officetoxin #officepolitics

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Sarla Sharma wears many hats - she is a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, an entrepreneur but most of all she is an independent woman who believes in the adage "For Women, Independence is the key to Equality".

She is the Managing Director of Pioneer Management Consultant Pvt Ltd, a highly experienced Recruitment and Consultancy firm which help businesses connect with its people.

Sarla Founder and Chairwoman of "Her Career Foundation" which seeks to enable and empower Returning Women and supports women in their entrepreneurial stints. 

Being an avid runner, she has successfully completed full marathon and multiple half marathons. She is also the promoter & organizer of "Run for Diversity"- Half Marathon conducted in Navi Mumbai, to promote the cause of Women Empowerment & Gender Diversity at the workplace and in society.

Disclaimer : This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.