Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Work environment
I've been a little surprised at the lack of professionalism (or substitute in morals/standards/values etc) at work, even among degree-holding, married people with children. I can't believe some of the things that are said and talked about here. It's like I'm back in the locker room in high school. My classmates at Tech were much higher caliber people than what I've experienced so far here in the "corporate world". I guess we ride the line between blue collar and white collar here, so it makes some sense. I think when I move to my next rotation at the corporate office in September things will probably be much different. It's hard to believe anything gets accomplished here with people being so unbelievably petty, crude, immature, and disrespectful. Just to be clear, I haven't been targeted or mistreated at all. It's just what I see and hear that is disturbing. If anyone has any suggestions about the right response to this stuff let me know. Keep in mind I am the new guy and low on the totem pole, and my boss is one of the worst offenders in the office.
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6 comments:
I don't know whether this is good advice or not, but I tend to ignore what I consider negative conduct unless I'm in the position to really help someone see exactly why what they just said or did was so stupid and/or inappropriate. If the circumstances don't empower you to show the superiority of your thinking about an issue, then you just create enemies needlessly by openly condemning other's behavior-- not that I think that is what you are thinking about doing. So I guess that I don't really have any good advice about what to do, only about what NOT to do.
Matt. 18:15- Moreover if thy brother shall atrespass against thee, go and btell him his cfault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
If you get a chance to talk to someone in private pray that they ask you how work is going. State the positive and then share how you often are disappointed or made uncomfortable. Share your standards, not in a self righteous way.
Oh, then talk about how your wife is a new, hungry lawyer that is looking for a law suit.
Dane I know exactly how you feel. I have had the same thoughts again and again. It seems to be a pattern I have found to be consistent with most new groups I find myself associating with, work, school even some volunteer organizations. The more I think about it the more I see it as a generational/world problem. It is very unnerving and disappointing. I wish I had some advice to add on to what David has already said. Dave I think your first job in grad school should be to do some research on the subject and write a book about it. Does anyone know of any books or articles written on the topic of the disintegrating morals of the work environment and how to deal with it?
I have a few thoughts and things that seem to work for me. First it's really important that you have a good relationship with the people or there's really not much you can do. They have to know you and know that you care about them and that takes some time.
So when they start to gossip about someone I always say something positive about the person. It feels a little uncomfortable at first but people get the point and eventually avoid gossip when your around.
If they swear a lot, I ignore it and usually they will stop when they know me and know that I never swear. I have actually had two people apologize to me for using bad language around me this past year.
With crude comments or jokes I tactfully disapprove usually by shaking my head and trying to make a negative comment about what was said by trying to joke a little or make it seem like I didn't like the comment but still trying to make it seem like it's not a huge deal. This is a hard one because they have to know that you are their friend but that you just don't like that sort of thing but that you still like them. If I can't think of a good way to do it I just leave the room.
When people fight I totally avoid it and stay out of it. I am usually naturally inclined to take a side but I just try and have no part of it.
It takes time but people eventually figure out who you are and what you stand for and if they like you they'll help you out by avoiding bad behavior when your around.
Just some ideas
Work your way to the top and enforce your standards on all the peons. Keep a journal and keep track of all the things you will change when you are in charge, either of that organization or some other, someday you WILL be in charge. Then they will rue the day that they crossed you!
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