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No matter how big or small the office is there are politics. For an insider it’s just the way it is. For an insider this is the way it works at any given office. A tenured employee understands the cliques (what are we 16?), the ins, the outs, the do’s the don’ts. For a new employee, though, coming into a new office – with much politicking it can be quite odd, maybe off-putting and even a learning experience.
My previous office was full of office politics. I understood these politics quickly, though, because it was a small office. I will openly admit that working with the people I worked with did cause anguish, some tears, and some arguments with a handful of people. I’m a very social person, and with this last job being only my second professional position out of college it struck me as odd that people would go out to lunch without asking, take over cases without asking, and go above personal superiors to get answers.
When I was hired by a non-profit child placing agency as a Case Manager last week I was excited to be working with so many like-minded individuals. I was excited to walk in to smiling faces, open arms, and welcoming attitudes. Not that I wasn’t, everyone is fabulous. I wouldn’t have accepted the job had I gotten a bad vibe. However, on day three some of the younger Case Managers that I was eating lunch with told me about the not so invisible politicking. I had no idea so and so hated her and her and him. And because she said that they aren’t talking. And nevermind that they ask me to answer the phone when they leave for lunch.
Here’s the thing. My new office politics are there. Thank goodness I know that. Now I know that when so and so leave me at my desk at noon it’s not me, it’s the way they’ve always been. Or when we have a team meeting and they sit in a certain place (and it’s not because that’s always where they’ve sat) it’s not because of me, it’s because that’s the way it’s always been. Office politics…that’s the way it will always be. If you just started a new job, get ready. You’re already part of the politicking. If you’ve been at your job for more than 2 weeks, just be aware of what you’re doing. And just try to be nice. And let the new kids in on the secrets. It may end up helping you in the end. Just sayin’.
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