Workplace Issues

Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich, was caught on tape, in his own words, abusing the authority granted to him as a representative of the citizens--trying to sell a political appointment to the US Senate for his personal gain. 

If such blatantly unethical, abusive behavior happens at this level, why would anyone doubt that bad bosses, all the way down the hierarchy, do the same thing with their authority? 

If you’ve reported to a boss who behaves like Blagojevich, you’re not at all surprised. Just sick to your stomach all over again, and wishing you could have recorded your slimy manager--but it was illegal for you to do so. 

On the other hand, if you know anyone who tells you about the nightmare in which s/he lives with a bad boss, now you have reason to start paying attention and stop pretending it can’t really be happening. 

The investigators in this case said that the public must speak up to help them stop criminal behavior. That’s how democracy can work. But, sadly, workplaces operate outside of democracy--where you can be punished for trying to stop criminal behavior in your employer’s organization. 

Values in our country have shifted from “do no harm” to “don’t get caught doing harm.” Perhaps we’ll get back some day.

Popcorn disease. That's what they're calling it. An ingredient that makes microwaveable popcorn taste buttery, diacetyl, is permanently damaging workers' lungs.

"Scientists from the national occupational safety institute…issued a bulletin in September 2001 saying 'a work-related cause of lung disease' had occurred" in one plant where diacetyl was handled. They also found a widespread pattern of workers becoming ill from handling the ingredient.

The agency responsible for enforcing rules to protect employees from workplace such hazards, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), responded to this scientific discovery by simply issuing an alert—no guidelines, rules or regulations.

Oddly, OSHA head, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., a republican, is opposed to regulations that cost employers money and prefers the honor system—saying he trusts big business to do the right thing. Wonder why? "Three of the biggest industries regulated by OSHA — transportation, agribusiness and construction — have given more than $630 million in political campaign contributions since 2000, with nearly three-quarters of that money going to Republicans."

When bad bosses at governmental agencies aren't doing the job, citizens must take matters into their own hands. If we can get Imus fired, surely we can save lives. Stop buying microwaveable popcorn and see how long it takes industry to decide that food-handler safety is important to their bottom line.

The House and Senate are workplaces, too. The same dynamics occur among our elected employees. What we call "teamwork" in business is called "bipartisanism" in politics.

When people work together toward the same organizational goals and pracitce the same organizational values, teamwork occurs—and it's just called "work." But when an organization's values are plastered all over the corridor & cubicle walls with "Teamwork" on the list, that say's it's either the goal of a subgroup or a lie. As long as there are employees or politicians whose personal agenda is to use their position to obtain underserved advantages, neither teamwork nor bipartisanism can be achieved.

Compromising is not teamwork—compromise involves losing something. The method of teamwork is consensus. Consensus occurs when everyone agrees to support a decision because it accomplishes the goal both sides are supposed to be working toward: delivering quality and value to the customer.

But delivering quality and value to the constituents gets convoluted in politics. Who are the constituents? The general population of citizens? Or the select group of citizens who financially support campaigns that put politicians in compromising positions?

Before bipartisanism can occur, the values of elected politicians must no longer be for sale. Ethics must be the first priority.

It's tempting to think about creating as much pain and suffering for your bad boss as he or she creates for you. But here's something you need to know: bad bosses are already in pain and suffering—that's why they strike out. Their private world is a place of misery for them and their outward signs of power and strength are nothing more than a mask to disguise their reality. They're playing the revenge game—striking out at you in an attempt to get even with the world because you appear to have what they want—knowledge; ability; confidence; security and/or happiness. There is only one thing you can do make your bad boss feel worse: show your bad boss that he or she can't take away from you those qualities that make you the person they envy.

Here's a list of five things you can do that will get the job done:

1. Be Better

Be a better person than your boss in all ways. Continue to develop professional and effective interpersonal skills. Work toward advancing in your career and becoming a good boss—learning what not to do from your bad boss. Be a cooperative colleague and realize that internal competition only gives your competitor's an advantage.

2. Be Popular

Get to know other people in your organization. Make sure the people who receive your work know you and understand that you are willing to listen and act on their concerns. Join and contribute information to professional organizations or constructive online groups that address your line of work. Become well-known by name and respected as someone trustworthy.

3. Be Indifferent

Ignore your boss's snide remarks; realize that your boss is really talking about herself or himself and chuckle privately at her or his self-revelation. Do not respond unless you are asked a direct question. If the question is insulting, do not respond to it directly; but ask another question, such as "How will this discussion help us reach our business goals?" Stay focused on your common interest, which is doing your job well.

4. Be Backed-up

Document every inappropriate thing your boss says or does. He or she gets away with it because there is no record of this bad behavior. Send memos to your boss, including her or his direct quotes, and ask if you've understood correctly. If your boss continues to behave badly after the first two memos, start copying someone in the Human Resources Department on these memos. When your boss tells you to stop writing things down, explain that writing is the best way for you to be sure you have understood correctly, and you want to be sure you are doing the right thing. This is often enough to make a bad boss leave you alone and find another target.

5. Be Happy

Nothing irks a bad boss more than seeing other people be genuinely happy. Find good things to talk about and share them with your colleagues to help create a pleasant work atmosphere. Compliment your co-workers and other managers in your organization. Always be polite, courteous and cooperative. Smile a lot while you are working. The best revenge is seeing your boss become even more dissatisfied as you become happier.

And live happily ever after.