Avoid the Blame Game at Work
With the U.S. economy experiencing the biggest monthly job losses since 1974 and things not looking any better in the near term, it’s important to consider the fact that the feeling of desperation this type of economy may engender can wreck havoc on your career – even if you remain gainfully employed.
Mark Harbeke from Winning Workplaces recently blogged about research out of the University of New Hampshire that warns workers to watch their backs to avoid being unfairly accused for work not well done. Professor of Management, Paul Harvey, said that this economy may make ”employees…more prone to blame someone else for problems they’ve caused.” When this happens, employees suffer:
- Emotional stress and strain
- Reduced performance levels
- Potential for increased turnover
In a post for the Wall Street Journal, Sarah Needleman asserts that the current market may make it important to defend yourself from managers or colleagues who are hoping to make themselves look better at your expense. She notes:
Saboteurs are most apt to strike in a weak economy like the current one, warns Wendy Alfus Rothman, president of Wenroth Group, a consortium of business psychologists in New York. “When the market is bad, there is real insecurity because there are fewer jobs and more people competing for them,” she says. “You have a pretty good recipe for potential backstabbing.”
The Catch-22 is that you probably can’t win by complaining, but it isn’t much better to sit by and do nothing. Your career may be in trouble no matter what you do under these circumstances. Ideally, your goal should be to PREVENT the problem before it starts.
Best selling author Karen Salmansohn suggested the following tips that may help you stay out of the fray. (Commentary is my own):
1. Never wear your heart on your business shirt sleeve. Be especially careful about sharing details about your private life. Personal information can and will be used against you at work. One thing to consider: Don’t give anyone a reason to be jealous of you. This may be a time to keep some of your good fortune under wraps.
2. If your firm is undergoing big changes, keep an extra look-out in your rearview mirror. Enough said.
3. Those who walk softly and confidently, can still carry a big knife. Bosses and colleagues are equally likely to take credit for your work. Be aware.
4. Don’t remove yourself from the grapevine. Become a fellow grape. You don’t want to be known as the offce gossip, but keep an ear open and be aware of who is saying what.
5. Good deeds can actually help you go un-punished. Reach out and help people whenever possible. It might make them less inclined to put you on their “hit list.”
6. Love thy neighbor — and try to pick thy neighborhood. Spend as much time as possible with people who you think you can trust.
7. Make sure you have friends not ONLY in HIGH places.Everyone on the org chart is an important person. In a backstabbing incident, you’ll need to have everyone’s support.
Bottom line, it is always possible to get caught up in difficult work politics, no matter how much you do. It may be time to start looking for a better job at great organization known for treating employees well! GreatPlaceJobs is here to help!
We invite you to join our community and to share your stories or suggestions in the comments section.
Miriam Salpeter
GreatPlaceJobs Career Advice Expert
www.keppiecareers.com
Tags: backstabbing at work, GreatPlaceJobs, office politics, prevent backstabbing at work