How can one survive in a hostile work environment?
154545
I have worked in that environment.  It is very difficult to get a chance to collect youself enough to find an answer to your question.  You may need to leave this environment as did I.  Where ever you go from there, you may find some of the same elements, (hopefully not as bad,) so it may be wise to adjust youself.  Think of how you fell into some traps and how your early naivete made you unprepared for what you were to encounter.
359850
You asked for serious advice so here goes, usually when individuals act the way your boss does, they are very insecure people. Now here goes the hard part, if you like your job well enough to stay there and hold your position, then you have to pray for him, I hope you like to pray because I have found that it is the only way to get ahead in life is by prayer, not getting upset or mad at the man, but just let it roll off, and know who you are in God's eyes, you are God's child and He loves you and He will promote you, these are all very trying learning experiences for all of us at one time or another but the ones who hang in there and do their job to the best of their ability, will prosper, how do I know this?o.k. It happened to me several times, and even though it was tuff to pray for someone I personally had no feelings for, I thought well , the Word teaches us to pray for our enemies, and right now this person was my enemy, so I prayed that they would be promoted clear out of my life,,LOL and guess what I was the one that got promoted to a great new position, and with great people that I had a blast with, I mean God is awesome, He knows exactly what you need, sorry to be so long winded, but just want you to know that things can change, and you are not the victim, he is. Keep on girl and you'll some out ahead!!!!!WhEEEEEE!
886689
I, too, am second in charge at my job.  The best way I've found to deal with timid bosses is to first talk to them about the problem.  You are there to help them, so help.  Approach your boss in a non-threatening way, one-on-one, and discuss your concerns.  You could say "I've noticed other employees not adhering to the company policies. I know we don't want to send the message that this is acceptable. What do you think we could do to discourage this?"  If your boss tries to skirt the issue or tries to blow you off, be firm.  You could also say "I know coaching and corrective action isn't one of the fun aspects of your job, and I'd be happy to help you with this (if you truly are).  Let's get a game plan together so we can be sure we are on the same page with this"  This way your boss should get the hint that something needs to be done, and you are willing to help, yet you don't have to go over her head or make her feel like she can't do her job correctly.  Good Luck!
405527
kirstinlilloth!  the beatings will continue till morale improves!!!  every time i treated my employees like people, i got screwed.  how about my employee who told me she was having a tough pregnancy and may lose the baby.  i let her go home early so many times because she was feeling bad that it was like she was a part time worker.  THEN i find out from another employee that she's not having a difficult pregnancy at all---she's going SHOPPING every time i let her off early.  guess who felt like the biggest chump in the world?  ME.  kick the whiners into submission, i say!\n\nlol---i'm such a chump!  probably my favorite was when a letter informing me that our utilities were about to be shut off due to non payment landed on my desk.  digging through the mountains of paperwork on the AP persons desk i found 3 months worth of electric invoices that hadn't been processed.  i sat down with the ap clerk and we had a "Come to Jesus" talk.  but it didn't do any good.  i later had to let her go because she would rather talk then do any work.\n\noh, here's another thing bosses have to put up with---employees who abuse funeral leave policies.  one of my employees got caught trying to take funeral leave for a 2nd cousin twice removed or some crap like that on her ex-boyfriend's side of the family.  lol!\n\nlol!  you guys are funny!  it's easy to tell from the answers that none of you has ever been a boss.\n\nthese are the kind of things bosses have to put up with:\n\nlate, tardy or absent employees\n\nemployees who take off a day without asking\n\nemployees who spend too much time on the phone with 'personal' calls  (a friend of mine once had an employee who spent over 40 hours in a week on the phone!)\n\nemployees who lie or steal\n\nemployees who abuse sick day policies\n\nemployees who abuse dress code policies\n\nemployees who take long lunch or regular breaks\n\nemployees who see the workplace as a place to socialize\n\nemployees who bring their sex lives to work\n\nemployees who use the company's property for their own use\n\nemployees who miss deadlines\n\nemployees who do shoddy or inaccurate work\n\nemployees who constantly whine about going home early\n\nemployees who work overtime without permission\n\nemployees who won't use the time clock properly\n\nemployees who can't think for themselves\n\nemployees who aren't good managers of their time\n\nemployees who let work pile up on their desk because they are too busy visiting\n\nNOW---in addition to taking care of all the ABOVE things, you as a boss have your own job to do.  why isn't it done?  sometimes you spend all day babysitting your moronic employees and then have to work late to get your job done.  i used to say that i could start on 'my' job at 5pm, when all my direct reports went home.\n\nand you wonder why the bosses are mean
60077
I believe that you may have a lawsuit for hostile work environment.  You should consult a lawyer.  But remember that this could mean that you would get fired, and then have to create a wrongful termination suit. Most of the time employers get away with it.  Especially if they are an "at will" employer.  Check your employee handbook to see if they are, because they can fire you for no cause.
683935
There is a book I bought a long time ago called "Coping with Difficult People" which is like dealing with difficult people. You can buy it at any bookstore under the self-improvement section. Also, talk with your boss and maybe he can resolve your problems you may have with a co-worker. Don't worry, we've all been there. I sympathize with you. However, just a suggestion, you may not want to use that kind of language on Yahoo Answers.
67955
If you are a religious person, try reading T.D. Jakes book titled "Working in a Hostile Environment".  The most important thing to remember is that, you are at that job to work.  You do not have to be those people's friends.  If they don't like you it's probably because they are jealous of either your knowledge, or your looks.  Sometimes both.  Older people have a tendency to be "afraid" of younger people because they think younger people are after their jobs.  Be diligent and know that you are put there for a reason.
638012
The first thing is DO NOT go in and try to act like you are better than the others, (Not saying that you would) You never know how these people are going to react to you, as you were hired outside of the company.  Make an effort to personally go up to each person and introduce yourself and try to make them feel comfortable with you.  \n\nI have been in management, and one fatal mistake is trying to be "friends" with the employees.  Of course you want to be friendly, but not to friendly as to where they will consider you more a friend then a boss. I would also ask the others to give you feed back as to how you are doing.  Make sure that the others know that they can approach you and talk to you.  Best of luck in your new job!!
1069252
Depends on what is going on.\n\nIf it is a conflict of work styles... you need to sit down and talk about it, come to a solution, and keep moving forward.\n\nIf it is a bully... you need to take it to HR or follow the process of your company.\n\nIf you can't get resolution and the company won't help you... you need to look somewhere else (transfer or go to another company).\n\nUnfortunately, many companies only realize they have the wrong person in a management position when it is too late and good people are leaving.\n\nJust make sure to take care of your mental health during all of this. It can put a real strain on life.
826282
Yes, it relates to a hostile work environment.
997764
There are so many of us who eventually have to face this situation. You can not change other people or control how they act BUT you have all the power in the world to control how YOU act. Be professional and cordial because this will only work towards your benefit. This is your job. Don't let anyone ruin that for you. It may be difficult but you'll be a lot less irritated if you keep a reasonable distance and maintain short , professional interactions. And exhale afterwards and let it go. Don't hang on to the irritation after you're gone home. Leave the bad feelings behind. It will make going to work so much easier.
902310
1. My approach is to immediately put it into the hands of professionals who are hired to deal with bullies.  Tell your manager.  Call Human Resources.  If necessary, call the Police.  \n\n2. I've learned this: Don't play with them and don't tolerate the bullying.  \n\n3. No.  It's not best to bullyl back.  Bullying back changes YOU.  It turns you into the exaxt type of person you don't like.   Instead, take positive, constructive steps and insist on helping to make this world a better place.\n\n4. Being a nice person doesn't automatically make you a door mat any more than being a bully protects you from being bullied.  Where possible, ALWAYS be nice, first.  But realize that you are on planet Earth.  So, you have to be prepared to protect yourself.  And the best way to do that is NOT by bullying but, rather, by turning to the professionals who are payed to protect you.\n\n5. Again, as mentioned in my reply above, you don't have to be mean back.   Why would you want to be like the people who've caused you so much stress that you've had to take time out of your life to write about it.  Any of us can be mean.   That's nothing.   You don't want to be like that.  Be something much, much, much, much better, ok?\n\nKeep strong.  Don't fear.  And keep positive.\n\nLinkedin Recruiter
238330
Complain to management.\nI sympathize.  You are working in a poisoned workplace.  The stress from this kind of person can be crushing and take all the good feelings of accomplishment and interest out of the workplace.\nI worked with a great team of people at one workplace and one of these people was hired.  Within a year, half of the people quit.(myself included)  The person was fired right after I left.\nPeople like that are usually VERY good at manipulating managers.  If you wind up having to quit, make SURE to specify the bad behavior as your cause for leaving, in terms that relate to those actions hindering your ability to do your job.
1020789
Ugh ... I'm sorry you're office is going through something so dirty. \n\nI've been in situations where I've felt totally alone having to fight dirty politics. When I look back on 'what i could have done differently,' one major thing comes to mind: FIND ALLIES.\n\nYou can't fight alone. You've got to have a group of supporters. Even countries have armies. Your staff can rally, and garner support from outside offices or groups, and through the power of numbers, can fight for change.\n\nDon't let discouragement reduce you towards 'dirty politics' of your own. This is hard. When I was going through my own crisis, I got a lot of advice to "sling some dirt of your own," but I never did. I'm glad I didn't. It reduces you and you end up losing self-respect. \n\nFind at least one ally who is in a position above you. If you can find some higher administrative support, you'll be in a much better position to advocate for change.\n\nGood luck! Hang in there.
784147
When dealing with an envious co-worker, I kill them with kindness, and I'm not talking about lip service. You must be genuine when doing this for it to work. Obviously they have massive insecurities, and perceive you as some kind of threat. I would also suggest keeping ones personal, and professional life mum. In essence, do not give anyone a reason to hold you in contempt. The old saying is true, "keep your friends close, your enemies closer".
762525
the best answer is keep your mouth closed and listen to what they have to say and when people come to help you watch out people will try to mislead you have a small note book and take down things you are suspossed to learn and never talk about another person you work with . or it's called back stabbing be polite and listen listen . just do your job to the best you can. good luck
650027
Some people thrive in this environment.  Not me:\nI worked in a call centre for 2 days.  I made my quota in the middle of the second day and told the supervisor that I was done and was quitting.\nI really did not like bothering people and was not about to put up with the abuse from people I contacted.