Workplace Politics

I recently read an article on CNNMoney.com about an interesting question that was asked about backstabbing and what to do if you were in such a situation.

In this particular case the backstabber who happens to be the subordinate of the victim, approached the boss and proposed that he could do the victims job better than him. And unfortunately the backstabber happens to be a top performer and a favorite of the victim as well.

The following is a portion of the answer that was taken from the article:

1. If your performance review isn't due for a while, ask your boss to expedite it: "In a meeting that is specifically about your job performance, you should be able to tell where you stand and whether your boss is listening to the back channel."

2. If official annual or semi-annual evaluations aren't scheduled for any time soon, you can still always have review sessions with people on your team. "You should sit down with each of these team members individually and address how you want communications to work," he says. "Don't utter the words 'Do not talk to my boss behind my back,' but be clear about the communications protocols."

3. Call a team meeting and, without singling anyone out, let it be known that you want to create a culture of trust in your group "and that you won't tolerate behavior that is less than worthy of that standard," Moran suggests.

I bet this is not uncommon in most of the workplaces when everything is so competitive and when ethics goes out of the window. On the other hand what is ethics anyway. I am sure it is debatable topic by it self.

Anyway you can read the full article here.