A 48 Days Podcast listener writes:
“I just started a new job recently and I love the type of work I do. But the only thing that is bothering me is the environment that I’m in, I feel uncomfortable working with people who are taking advantage of the company day in and day out. They are
Maybe this dude has his work completed
constantly on their phones when no one is around. They don’t do it in front of our boss but when she is not around they live on their phones, computers, sitting around , talking etc.. I’m not the type who likes to tattle tail on people but it’s way out of hand and I don’t know what to do. Should I ask to be moved to another position or just deal with it because it’s eating me up watching these people steal from the company everyday.”
Andy – Every company has it’s own “culture.” It will never be perfect. Please be clear that if you have taken a JOB you have given up a great deal of control for the work environment you’ll be in. Be realistic about what you can control and what you can’t control. If the company has a “results only” culture it may not be an issue that people aren’t spending a full 8 hours on work. Lots of companies give employees the freedom to complete their work without even coming in to the office – and those employees could be in their jammies and running a side business on eBay.
Asking to be moved to another position because of what you describe will not put you in a good light. It will appear that even though you’re a new employee you are immediately making judgements about the quality of the current employees’ work. I would suggest you set the example by being someone with integrity and strong work ethic. That will get noticed on it’s own and new opportunities will appear.
Check out our free resource to help understand yourself better – What Work Fits My Personality
Greetings Dan,
You have given great advice to your listener. He can only control his own thoughts and actions. Harshly judging others perpetuates negative thinking. Work place culture is an interesting thing. In my experience, overtly challenging how things are done too often, especially when new, can create fear and hostility, especially if things have been done a certain way for a long time. We should not underestimate how ugly things can become. Better to, as you describe, demonstrate strong work ethic, show integrity. Improved outcomes will not only catch the attention of the boss but, also your peers. Culture change moves at a snails pace, if at all. It also occurs to me that being mindful of personality style here is very important, taking care not to be intolerant of other styles.
Thanks for the opportunity to reply,
Paul
I feel for the guy. Trying to bail the boat out while someone else is throwing water in it can eat him up, as he says. Setting an example by being a person with integrity and a good work ethic is a good choice, a great suggestion. However, depending on how corrosive his co-workers are, I can see this turning into a scene from Lord of the Flies very quickly. Sometimes, adults like these aren’t mature enough for the ethic-look they get from the new guy and can turn into a taunting group of delinquents from the playground. Hope he doesn’t end up making himself a target. Nonetheless, at least now he has some guidance at 48 Days. Good fortune and God’s speed to Andy.
Dan, I cannot believe you think this. I was so incensed by your title that I don’t even want to read your article. I have worked with Mormons and they are some of the nicest people on earth. Why has the internet become so hateful. Drop me from further emails.
I surely hope this is a joke because I about fell out of my chair laughing. Yeah, that would be pretty out of character for me to slam Mormons. Not exactly in the same category as “morons.” Thanks for the laugh!
LOL! Me too, Dan! I burst out laughing on this one!
Yeah, just me being a little crazy at the end of a long week of dealing with political blogs and replies. Dan you do a fantastic job and no slam meant towards you or Mormons, who I love. You obviously caught the sarcasm…
I was reminded of Emily Litella from Saturday Night Live…
Nevermind…
Defog the title says morons not Mormons. When a person of character such as Dan Miller does something out of character they deserve the benefit of the doubt, in this case a simple trick of the eye and you have falsely condemned him. Had you read the article and had not been so quick to judge you would have realized it was not about Mormons and you missed out on the opportunity to read a very informative article. One way to keep the internet from being so hateful is to offer a heartfelt apology as I am sure Dan is a man of forgiveness, and for what it’s worth I had to do a double take as well.
Angela – thanks for your defense. Frankly I thought it must be a joke – not sure but I sure got a good laugh out of that. I’m going to forward to some of my amazingly successful Mormons friends.
I think morons are everywhere. Working with them is reality and the phone epidemic is rampant.