I’ve been with this company for a number of years and have received many promotions.

13 Comments

1. Melissa NobileJanuary 16,2023 at 4:35PM UTC

   Be kind always. Be absolutely transparent. CYA - keep good backup data and save everything. Don’t talk about anyone. Focus on the job, not the personalities.

2. VerityJanuary 16,2023 at 4:53PM UTC

   Unfortunately, judging from my friends' experiences, that is common in a lot of different fields and it can be hard to work in and deal with.

   I'd recommend keeping documented copies, if possible, of any work or any conversations you deem important or suspicious. This way if anyone tries to back-stab you or whatever, you can have a bit of defence.

   Take a note of people that you view as untrustworthy and just be cautious around them and what you tell them.

   Of course, if it gets serious, you can always try reporting people however judging by the toxicity, I'd probably try to hold off on that until you need to.

3. AnonymousJanuary 16,2023 at 6:16PM UTC

   I agree about the level of toxicity within finance rising as you get higher in the chain of command. I think it has to do with the amount of pressure to achieve results being greater, and it being about the numbers and achieving metrics with people only being a means to an end. There is a culture of ruthlessness and disconnection and arrogance in the finance community; these leaders are presenting the financial results to the shareholders (given it is a publicly traded company), or the execs whose incentive comp is tied to results - all of whom have sometimes unrealistically high expectations. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence when compensation is tied to results.

4. AnonymousJanuary 16,2023 at 6:40PM UTC

   It’s an environment where you can’t just do a great job but where you have to be better than everyone else.

5. JJJanuary 18,2023 at 6:50AM UTC

   Yes. Most companies are total chaos.

6. Mary SkaggsJanuary 18,2023 at 4:12PM UTC

   Yes. And I experienced it while working for the federal govt. I was floored by how incompetent & lacking in compassion most “senior leaders” turned out to be. Very depressing.

7. GirlBossanova934974January 19,2023 at 1:40PM UTC

   I worked in Finance for a number of years and candidly, equating Finance with what you are experiencing is categorically unfair and without merit. Those companies and organizations are just plain crappy companies run by less than able management. Problem today is that many people just expect and believe that good management can be found on every street corner. All one has to do is "virtue signal" and tell the world how wonderful we are......We believe in XYZ! We write out fancy checks to fancy causes etc. Well well well. NOT TRUE as many people are now finding out all over the Tech Sector and other places where similar high sounding rhetoric became the norm. Good management takes a lot of work, education, and experience. You learn what NOT to do as you grow older. You learn how to shut down the "office politics". You are on the lookout for bad apples when it comes to interviews. People polishing up the apple way too much. Folks who cannot tell a straight story and you make sure you pass on their job applications. Above all, you understand what goes around, comes around so one has to set the example at all times.

8. AnonymousJanuary 19,2023 at 1:59PM UTC

   Yes, normal. Most people I know who want to stay out of it after rising to the top leave and switch to independent consulting so they can make bank without the drama or politics.

9. AnonymousJanuary 19,2023 at 2:48PM UTC

   I work at Navy Fed CU- the worlds largest credit union. It is also the worlds largest employer of chauvinist pigs, back-stabbing bitches, spineless HR reps and those psychopaths who have just a general need to torment/torture others because they get off on it. WAY TOO many chiefs and not enough Indians. Most managers are bullies!! And those who aren’t, will either not get involved- they won’t help even though they can or they will rat you out to the manager you are being bullied by. No honor, no integrity, no peace. I just want to keep my head down and hope I make it to retirement without being someone’s target. I have lost many friends because it is like a blood sport among the management to see how long they can abuse an employee before they break. Their great place to work reviews are a joke!! Get out of the field if you can!

10. AnonymousJanuary 19,2023 at 3:06PM UTC

    Yes the Narcissists rise up the chain and stomp on those below them. My solution was to leave.

11. Lisa MarieJanuary 21,2023 at 9:08PM UTC

    Are you asking advise on how to not be what you're not?

    What does it matter that others are narcissists?

    How about just simply be yourself?

    Now if you start behaving the way they are, then what does that tell you about yourself? Either you are like the others or you're just too easily influenced.

    Whichever of those two categories you fall in (are like the others or too easily influenced), isn't good and you'll need to work on *yourself* as hard as you work to keep your job.

12. AnonymousJanuary 22,2023 at 7:31PM UTC

    People create atmospheres. How to stay above the fray is actually asking how do you stay yourself, stick to your values and not lose your mind when faced with an atmosphere and.behaviors that challenge you emotionally, mentally and maybe even spiritually. The response you provided seems a little judgmental, unhelpful, and implies anyone challenged at work is a bad or incomplete person.

13. Lisa MarieJanuary 24,2023 at 11:28AM UTC

    Sorry, your view of my response is wrong. Stop trying to generalize and change the point of the query. This is not about "anyone facing challenges at work" this is about behaviors the OP "heard about and is now seeing being manifested.

    Question for you: If you're not a thief or rapist or murderer, HOW does working with a bunch of thieves *makes/turns* one into a thief, rapist, or murderer IF deep down you're truly not a thief, rapist, or murder OOORRR, as I ask-suggested - one is too easily influenced?

    My advise ask-suggestion that the OP "simply be his/herself" is actually quite sound and logical.

    There was no judgement passed.

    Simply making it clear to the OP that if s/he starts behaving the same way the others behave, then s/he is either just like the others or is easily influenced is actually stating a fact.

    Unless the folks' behaviors are preventing the OP from being productive at work, why is the OP paying attention to nasty behaviors s/he knows is wrong.