Hi Seniors,
Please help me to combat this office politics......
All the people working in my organization are very senior to me and had being working with the org. from almost 10-15 yrs. They don't like changes and do not want any changes in their working style as well. I'm going mad with these people and frustrated.
One day my senior had humiliated me saying that what-so-ever I'm maintaining in leave record is wrong and what not.....and she is from Finance department, why I'm supposed to answer her??????? I have done my job 90% correct and got the same report from my reporting manager, then why she again pokes me and irritate me????????? I didn't loose my temper and controlled myself and answered her but she was like a devil and questioning and that was at peak then I took permission from my boss and left the office 1/2 hr before the closing time
If i keep silent they think that I'm wrong at my work and start their gossip on me in the office and all of them start satires on me....
I don't know how to handle this situation, I'm going mad with these stupid people. Please give me any suggestions in handling this situation. Please help.........
From India, Hyderabad
Please help me to combat this office politics......
All the people working in my organization are very senior to me and had being working with the org. from almost 10-15 yrs. They don't like changes and do not want any changes in their working style as well. I'm going mad with these people and frustrated.
One day my senior had humiliated me saying that what-so-ever I'm maintaining in leave record is wrong and what not.....and she is from Finance department, why I'm supposed to answer her??????? I have done my job 90% correct and got the same report from my reporting manager, then why she again pokes me and irritate me????????? I didn't loose my temper and controlled myself and answered her but she was like a devil and questioning and that was at peak then I took permission from my boss and left the office 1/2 hr before the closing time
If i keep silent they think that I'm wrong at my work and start their gossip on me in the office and all of them start satires on me....
I don't know how to handle this situation, I'm going mad with these stupid people. Please give me any suggestions in handling this situation. Please help.........
From India, Hyderabad
You could have given vital information like your designation, how long are you working in the company, what is the designation of your manager etc. You have written that you maintain leave records, therefore, let me deduce that you are from HR department.
In your post, you have mentioned about only one trouble maker whereas heading of the post is "Office Politics". Is this the only person"troubling" you or there are few more also? If more then in what way do they trouble you?
When one finance personnel "humiliated" you, did you inform to your manager? What was his/her view?
Why finance personnel checked the leave records? Was this activity part of her audit? What were her objections? Did you make note of those objections? Did you examine why those flaws crept in? Have you taken corrective action?
Good to note that you have maintained cool though that finance personnel had affronted you. However, you have suppressed your anger. You are overwrought inside. Keep off emotions as emotions muddle our rational thinking. Please read article "How to Accept Criticism With Grace and Appreciation".
All the best!
Dinesh V Divekar
dineshdivekar(at)yahoo.com
From India, Bangalore
7884In your post, you have mentioned about only one trouble maker whereas heading of the post is "Office Politics". Is this the only person"troubling" you or there are few more also? If more then in what way do they trouble you?
When one finance personnel "humiliated" you, did you inform to your manager? What was his/her view?
Why finance personnel checked the leave records? Was this activity part of her audit? What were her objections? Did you make note of those objections? Did you examine why those flaws crept in? Have you taken corrective action?
Good to note that you have maintained cool though that finance personnel had affronted you. However, you have suppressed your anger. You are overwrought inside. Keep off emotions as emotions muddle our rational thinking. Please read article "How to Accept Criticism With Grace and Appreciation".
All the best!
Dinesh V Divekar
dineshdivekar(at)yahoo.com
From India, Bangalore
Dear Dinesh,
Thanks for your reply, yes, I work as HR-Executive from 2 years. Yes, I should have mentioned the post as Criticism instead of Office Politics. There are many people who are continuously back of me and my work. They make fun of HR department saying that they are waste and do not consider employees wants. They even make fun of my usage of dairy in office, which I do maintain for day-to-day work, pending works and things to do.
Yes I have informed the same thing to my reporting manager and he also said that I'm happy with your work and she has no concern in your work and I will talk to MD in this regards and take the necessary actions.
Actually we have biometric machine in our office but its not working properly from 2 months and I have manually noted all the leaves for December month and done the payroll process, but in January I was on leave so the track has missed out for two days. After coming from leave I have take the information from my front office executive that she too didn't keep any record of the same. I have informed the same thing to my reporting manager but it is still on pending.
Taking this as a major problem she is saying that from past one year record is also wrong and shouted at me, she can even tell me or give me any suggestion to come out of it, but she was shouting at her peak fro which I felt very low no one is their to support me and thus walked out of office taking the permission.
I even know that it is not her part but she was wantedly doing all this and she had been probed by another manager who is also criticizing me for all the work I do.
I'm looking for another job as-well and want to join another company, but not very sure that I don't have the same problem over there, I want to face the situations and become very very strong so that I can handle any situation. Please help.
From India, Hyderabad
Thanks for your reply, yes, I work as HR-Executive from 2 years. Yes, I should have mentioned the post as Criticism instead of Office Politics. There are many people who are continuously back of me and my work. They make fun of HR department saying that they are waste and do not consider employees wants. They even make fun of my usage of dairy in office, which I do maintain for day-to-day work, pending works and things to do.
Yes I have informed the same thing to my reporting manager and he also said that I'm happy with your work and she has no concern in your work and I will talk to MD in this regards and take the necessary actions.
Actually we have biometric machine in our office but its not working properly from 2 months and I have manually noted all the leaves for December month and done the payroll process, but in January I was on leave so the track has missed out for two days. After coming from leave I have take the information from my front office executive that she too didn't keep any record of the same. I have informed the same thing to my reporting manager but it is still on pending.
Taking this as a major problem she is saying that from past one year record is also wrong and shouted at me, she can even tell me or give me any suggestion to come out of it, but she was shouting at her peak fro which I felt very low no one is their to support me and thus walked out of office taking the permission.
I even know that it is not her part but she was wantedly doing all this and she had been probed by another manager who is also criticizing me for all the work I do.
I'm looking for another job as-well and want to join another company, but not very sure that I don't have the same problem over there, I want to face the situations and become very very strong so that I can handle any situation. Please help.
From India, Hyderabad
Please check my reply in italics:
Thanks for your reply, yes, I work as HR-Executive from 2 years. Yes, I should have mentioned the post as Criticism instead of Office Politics.
No comments. But please make sure that heading and main text of the message matches.
There are many people who are continuously back of me and my work. They make fun of HR department saying that they are waste and do not consider employees wants.
This is universal problem. Just ignore it!
They even make fun of my usage of dairy in office, which I do maintain for day-to-day work, pending works and things to do.
What matters is how one stays organised. It can be by using diary or computer or mobile or without any of these. Ignore their fun on this count also. By the way it is not "dairy" but "diary".
Yes I have informed the same thing to my reporting manager and he also said that I'm happy with your work and she has no concern in your work and I will talk to MD in this regards and take the necessary actions.
Why your reporting manager is not speaking or has not spoken to finance manager so far? My suggestion is not to approach MD directly. Let the matter be settled between/among yourself.
Actually we have biometric machine in our office but its not working properly from 2 months
Two months is too long period of unserviceability. Why the fault is not fixed? Is the machine old enough to replace with new one?
and I have manually noted all the leaves for December month and done the payroll process, but in January I was on leave so the track has missed out for two days.
While going on leave why this job was not assigned to someone properly? If not you then why your manager did not do this job? Lack of proper handing/taking over of assignments is the root cause of the problem.
After coming from leave I have take the information from my front office executive that she too didn't keep any record of the same. I have informed the same thing to my reporting manager but it is still on pending.
If the matter is pending with reporting manager then why finance manager blasted at you? That time did you try to inform this to her about this pending status?
Taking this as a major problem she is saying that from past one year record is also wrong and shouted at me, she can even tell me or give me any suggestion to come out of it, but she was shouting at her peak fro which I felt very low no one is their to support me and thus walked out of office taking the permission.
Walking out from senior's office without permission is bad. You could have left but with permission. You could have told "Mam, I am unable to take your meltdown. We need to sit once again and discuss. Let me take your leave for the time being. Secondly, was this anger aimed at your manager but shouting at you was her ploy? Does she want to settle score with your manager more than you?
I even know that it is not her part but she was wantedly doing all this and she had been probed by another manager who is also criticizing me for all the work I do.
Who is this another manager? Why is he/she criticising you? Why your reporting manager is letting you down? Why in your office protocol of communication is not defined? Please define protocol of communication. Manager should deal with manager. They can deal with level below or level up if their proper counterpart is not available. This is yet another root cause of the so-called "office politics"
I'm looking for another job as-well and want to join another company, but not very sure that I don't have the same problem over there, I want to face the situations and become very very strong so that I can handle any situation. Please help.
Lack of support from your reporting manager is your major problem. How can he/she allow dressing down by fellow managers to his/her subordinates? Whatever happens in the department, good or bad, finally it is managerial responsibility. When your manager will understand this?
Final comments: - In every job some or other problem(s) will continue to hound you. Try overcoming them. That is what leadership is. Yes, you may change your job but it should not be on negative count. With so many critiques around, in fact they are helping you in refining quality of your work. Critiques keep you on your toes and not those who mollycoddle you. Whom to choose, the choice is yours!
All the best!
Dinesh V Divekar
From India, Bangalore
Thanks for your reply, yes, I work as HR-Executive from 2 years. Yes, I should have mentioned the post as Criticism instead of Office Politics.
No comments. But please make sure that heading and main text of the message matches.
There are many people who are continuously back of me and my work. They make fun of HR department saying that they are waste and do not consider employees wants.
This is universal problem. Just ignore it!
They even make fun of my usage of dairy in office, which I do maintain for day-to-day work, pending works and things to do.
What matters is how one stays organised. It can be by using diary or computer or mobile or without any of these. Ignore their fun on this count also. By the way it is not "dairy" but "diary".
Yes I have informed the same thing to my reporting manager and he also said that I'm happy with your work and she has no concern in your work and I will talk to MD in this regards and take the necessary actions.
Why your reporting manager is not speaking or has not spoken to finance manager so far? My suggestion is not to approach MD directly. Let the matter be settled between/among yourself.
Actually we have biometric machine in our office but its not working properly from 2 months
Two months is too long period of unserviceability. Why the fault is not fixed? Is the machine old enough to replace with new one?
and I have manually noted all the leaves for December month and done the payroll process, but in January I was on leave so the track has missed out for two days.
While going on leave why this job was not assigned to someone properly? If not you then why your manager did not do this job? Lack of proper handing/taking over of assignments is the root cause of the problem.
After coming from leave I have take the information from my front office executive that she too didn't keep any record of the same. I have informed the same thing to my reporting manager but it is still on pending.
If the matter is pending with reporting manager then why finance manager blasted at you? That time did you try to inform this to her about this pending status?
Taking this as a major problem she is saying that from past one year record is also wrong and shouted at me, she can even tell me or give me any suggestion to come out of it, but she was shouting at her peak fro which I felt very low no one is their to support me and thus walked out of office taking the permission.
Walking out from senior's office without permission is bad. You could have left but with permission. You could have told "Mam, I am unable to take your meltdown. We need to sit once again and discuss. Let me take your leave for the time being. Secondly, was this anger aimed at your manager but shouting at you was her ploy? Does she want to settle score with your manager more than you?
I even know that it is not her part but she was wantedly doing all this and she had been probed by another manager who is also criticizing me for all the work I do.
Who is this another manager? Why is he/she criticising you? Why your reporting manager is letting you down? Why in your office protocol of communication is not defined? Please define protocol of communication. Manager should deal with manager. They can deal with level below or level up if their proper counterpart is not available. This is yet another root cause of the so-called "office politics"
I'm looking for another job as-well and want to join another company, but not very sure that I don't have the same problem over there, I want to face the situations and become very very strong so that I can handle any situation. Please help.
Lack of support from your reporting manager is your major problem. How can he/she allow dressing down by fellow managers to his/her subordinates? Whatever happens in the department, good or bad, finally it is managerial responsibility. When your manager will understand this?
Final comments: - In every job some or other problem(s) will continue to hound you. Try overcoming them. That is what leadership is. Yes, you may change your job but it should not be on negative count. With so many critiques around, in fact they are helping you in refining quality of your work. Critiques keep you on your toes and not those who mollycoddle you. Whom to choose, the choice is yours!
All the best!
Dinesh V Divekar
From India, Bangalore
I am happy that you are voicing out your concerns on a good platform. I faced such problem in fact i am facing such problem even now. I joined as HR executive in one of the automobile firm. Here composition of people is similar as you have mentioned in your post. Here also people show their resistance in different ways like they have information without which I will not be able to complete my task but even then they will be reluctant to give such information. They have time to comment on activities done by HR department but they will not give inputs in initial stages on how to perform task in a better way even asked.
Solution to your problem from my perspective
1.Have patience and hear to whatever rubbish they say but hear to them and just consider their statement once because ultimately they are our customers as HR professionals we need to have Customer focus (and also whatever you do keep your customer in mind and see that it should benefit your customer). When you hear to their rubbish they will understand that you are open minded and also it will make you strong internally. Finally this is my perspective it is upto you whether to take it or not.
From India, Mumbai
Solution to your problem from my perspective
1.Have patience and hear to whatever rubbish they say but hear to them and just consider their statement once because ultimately they are our customers as HR professionals we need to have Customer focus (and also whatever you do keep your customer in mind and see that it should benefit your customer). When you hear to their rubbish they will understand that you are open minded and also it will make you strong internally. Finally this is my perspective it is upto you whether to take it or not.
From India, Mumbai
Dear Franidhar,
Thanks for ur suggestion......
Please understand that im my problem is not my customers its my office staff...........
Just following one rule in my life from now on........DON'T CARE......... :)
From India, Hyderabad
Thanks for ur suggestion......
Please understand that im my problem is not my customers its my office staff...........
Just following one rule in my life from now on........DON'T CARE......... :)
From India, Hyderabad
Dear Dinesh Divekar,
Thanks for your valuable inputs and also educating me on the root cause of the problem. And also the major problem over here is lack of support, even though they are wrong they will not accept and counter back to me, i will explain the same to my manager and he says that I understand i will take care but at the end of the day I'm neither supported nor given a helping hand.
Anyways life has to go on....with both good n bad....i know this but feeling a little low, which would lead to loneliness & depression. That's d reason I want to change dis job ASAP.
Trying out for new job......... :) lets hope for the best......
From India, Hyderabad
Thanks for your valuable inputs and also educating me on the root cause of the problem. And also the major problem over here is lack of support, even though they are wrong they will not accept and counter back to me, i will explain the same to my manager and he says that I understand i will take care but at the end of the day I'm neither supported nor given a helping hand.
Anyways life has to go on....with both good n bad....i know this but feeling a little low, which would lead to loneliness & depression. That's d reason I want to change dis job ASAP.
Trying out for new job......... :) lets hope for the best......
From India, Hyderabad
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10 Simple Ways to Combat Office Politics.pdf
Five tips to deal with office politics.doc