Nov

12

When someone sabotages your career, act fast

Posted by Dan

November 12, 2008 |

I work mainly from home, which definitely has its advantage. One of the best: I don’t have to deal with office politics. That happens when the office is located 40-some miles away. (I do work for a publisher, but I only go into the office on rare occasions. It’s nice.)

I was reminded of how much I appreciate this when I read a recent story in the Wall Street Journal’s online careers page.  The story, written by Sarah Needleman, focuses on the steps that workers can take when someone at their company makes unfounded accusations against them or tries to take credit for their work. You can read the story here.

What was most amazing to me is that there really isn’t much you can do when someone at work has it in for you. That’s a depressing reality. The Journal story rightly recommended that you immediately go to a supervisor if you suspect that a co-worker is spreading false information about you. The experts quoted in the story also recommend that you keep your cool if this happens to you. That’s good advice, but it’s not the easiest to follow.

The story also quotes a workplace expert who says that career saboteurs are actually more common in weak economies. This is because people feel more insecure about their employment. Insecure people may take unethical steps to maintain their positions.

The story is right that you have to go to your boss or supervisor when someone at work is smearing your reputation. At this point, I suppose, you have to hope that your boss is actually a good one and will do something about it. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case.


Comments

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Speak your mind

<< Post Navigation >>

« « If my dad can change, so can you | Want to waste your employees’ time? Hold a meeting » »