How do you handle a political workplace with outdated policies?

17 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 9,2025 at 11:21AM UTC

   let me add to my post it also didn’t feel good to be told our pictures weren’t good enough when their is other women in the team that suffer from health issues including myself, and when the head honcho went to show the ad to everybody I had to act like I liked it when I thought it was disgusting they chose someone to be on the ad that’s only been here for 8 months.

2. AyianSeptember 9,2025 at 12:14PM UTC

   I'm sorry, but you lost me half way through your first wall of text. You might want to rewrite it with paragraph breaks and put your thoughts together a little more cohesively to get decent feedback.

3. AnonymousSeptember 9,2025 at 1:41PM UTC

   Looks like you’re the only one who got lost. This isn’t a grammatical website it’s a job blogging website. You may want to look elsewhere if you’re not able to properly read and give valuable input. Have a great day!

4. AyianSeptember 11,2025 at 1:05AM UTC

   I didn't make any comments on grammar; I eluded to the meandering, seemingly aimless wall of text being a read many won't want to engage in. "Polite" people will simply keep scrolling rather than give any form of criticism, constructive or otherwise. Fortunately for you, being transparent about which user you are or giving "valuable feedback" isn't a requirement of responding to posts on FGB. Have a great day yourself and best wishes!

5. AnonymousSeptember 9,2025 at 6:48PM UTC

   Maybe the other person was more photogenic?

6. AnonymousSeptember 9,2025 at 12:28PM UTC

   Take it from someone who has gotten stuck in some really crummy, demanding jobs that pay peanuts - enjoy the lack of stress. Enjoy the job security. I wouldn't move to a corporate structure with the left and right mass layoffs happening, I would stay put for sure. Enjoy the lax management not breathing down your throat and scapegoating you for their issues.

   And on the pictures thing, that kinda sounds like they are using her illness as a marketing tool. If I had to guess, she probably isn't super comfortable with it and likely knows why she is shown favoritism. I have seen similar situations and people tend not to like to be put front and center on things for obviously warped motivations. But, she is already going through so much that it's best to just let it go. I wouldn't take it personally.

7. AnonymousSeptember 9,2025 at 12:40PM UTC

   You have quite a list of grievances so choose your battles carefully.

   -You're talking about old training materials but I don't think that circumstance changes your responsibility to learn on the job. If outdated materials brings you to a screeching halt, you have bigger issues. Use your words, bring this conflicting info to your manager's attention and move on.

   -The picture issue, who gives a shit. Are you really willing to argue over this, that your medical affliction is worse than someone else? You have no idea why management chose one pic over another.

   -Start looking at people that DO advance in this company and mirror their behaviors and actions. All work places are political so play the game.

   -Advancement opportunities only exist when there's budget and an open role...this is no different than any other employer.

   If you think you'll find a unicorn of a workplace elsewhere, they resign and go somewhere else. News flash: every workplace has the same issues.

8. AnonymousSeptember 9,2025 at 1:37PM UTC

   No other workplaces I have been at had these issues at this extreme especially with policies that are outdated and not up to date. I had to leave old jobs due to moving or different opportunities. And outdated materials don’t affect me learning, I literally said I follow all the written policies when learning something new than I get told afterwards I did it wrong when it’s literally written. I can’t control if management doesn’t want to update it and is that lazy. I simply do what they say going forward but yet it still happens with me and everyone else. It’s obvious they make their own rules here and that doesn’t have to do with people not learning. We are constantly because it’s such a small team. As for the picture situation it’s the principal of the thing so yes I will give a shit because it is so unprofessional to say things like that in front of others. There is no I in team and the email stated the whole department needed to participate and take pictures. Why say that and then only use one persons that doesn’t even being anything to the team?

9. AnonymousSeptember 9,2025 at 1:38PM UTC

   And as far as your last statement I can tell you are the type of person that applies one situation to everything in life. If it’s like this here it will be the same elsewhere. That’s very limiting and no one should ever have this mindset because that will keep you from growing.

10. AnonymousSeptember 9,2025 at 1:39PM UTC

    I will never play that game. And this is why I’m looking into going to college because if I have a degree no one can take that away from me and I don’t have to kiss ass to move up.

11. AnonymousSeptember 9,2025 at 12:41PM UTC

    Unlimited PTO is nonsense. The loosey-gooseness of it allows management to play games. It’s also an accounting win for the company as it’s not a liability on their books and they won’t need to pay you for unused vacation if you leave.

12. AnonymousSeptember 9,2025 at 12:55PM UTC

    Were you meaning to reply to the previous post about the PIP? This post doesn't mention anything about "unlimited PTO"...

13. AnonymousSeptember 9,2025 at 12:51PM UTC

    My thoughts? Drives me nuts when there are outdated policies. I'm working on slowly updating our company's policies (it's a hot mess right now) and it's a painstaking process, but dammit...we are getting done! Why in the holy hell would they take pictures for a job posting? That's just bizarre. And yes, that they said they only like one person's photos...that's sucky. Raises right now? That part while painful - did they guarantee two per year? Or was it just "We typically have two a year." I have no idea what all the levels mean so not touching that. Performance reviews give me anxiety and so many companies don't handle them well so that wouldn't bother me. What does bother me is companies like mine where it's not everyone, it's only a certain segment of employees (manager and above) that get performance reviews.

    What would I do if I were you? Doesn't sound like you are very fulfilled and with that being the case, I'd be looking elsewhere. And why do you want a family feel type job? That description alone sounds like a nightmare! I don't want to work at a place where "we're all like family here" - absolutely not! (and maybe it's because I don't care much for mine, but whatev)

14. PatriciaSeptember 9,2025 at 12:55PM UTC

    It sounds like you’re in a tough spot — the work itself is manageable, but the outdated policies, lack of structure, and favouritism are making it harder to feel valued. The inconsistencies in training and expectations aren’t your fault; that’s a management issue, and it’s frustrating when you’re doing more than what’s asked but not getting recognition for it.

    When you’re in a political workplace like this, a few things can help:

    Document everything. If managers tell you to do things differently from what’s in the policy, keep a record of it. That way, if you’re ever questioned, you have proof you followed instructions.

    Clarify expectations. When given conflicting directions, it’s okay to ask, “Would you like me to follow the written policy or your updated instruction? Just want to make sure I’m aligned.” This puts the responsibility back on management.

    Don’t tie your worth to recognition here. From what you’ve described, promotions aren’t based on performance but on politics and budgets. That doesn’t mean your work isn’t valuable — it means the system doesn’t reward the right things.

    Think long-term. If you enjoy the chill nature of the job, maybe it’s worth staying while you build skills and experience. But if advancement, fairness, and recognition matter to you, then a more structured corporate environment might be a better fit.

    As for the picture situation — I completely understand why that would sting, especially since it was handled so poorly. That’s not a reflection of your worth or contribution; it’s just another sign of how unprofessional the leadership can be.

    Bottom line: if you’re okay with treating this as a steady job while you plan your next step, stay. But if you’re looking for growth, fairness, and a clear path forward, it might be time to explore other opportunities where your effort is rewarded.

15. AnonymousSeptember 9,2025 at 1:42PM UTC

    Thank you! This is exactly how I feel

16. AnonymousSeptember 10,2025 at 12:55PM UTC

    The workplace you describe seems ‘cliquey’ rather than ‘political.’

    In any case, if you want to stay and see a better way to do things, offer a constructive solution rather than complaining. Most managers and co-workers will tune you out if you project too much negativity.

17. AnonymousSeptember 10,2025 at 2:23PM UTC

    I’m confused by your post - there is a lot to unpack here. A good 85% is you blowing off steam about what grinds your gears, and that is absolutely fine and understandable. You’ve gotten it out of your system, now let’s solve some of those problems. 1) are you being told you’re breaking some sort of standard in a training document on One Note that was updated after you trained? IF they refer to the manual you were trained on, print it out and keep it in your back pocket for proof that’s what you were given. Did they distribute the new material with new information and you did not receive it? Ok, that’s your response. Learn the new way, apologize and if they ever try and use that as a reason to fire you - you’ve got receipts. 2) Unfortunately, your opinion about whose pic is being used for what, who is a better, faster work, etc. is none of your business unless it directly affects your ability to do your job. If so, pull them aside and kindly let them know you have deadlines, & their completing tasks by…(give them a goal) would be incredibly helpful to get your work in on time. If this isn’t the case, leave your personal feelings at the door. The person making the trouble is going to be you in the companies eyes - bc it’s not affecting your work.

    Lastly - stop complaining to and with other colleagues. No matter how much I get along with co-workers. I don’t trust them (I barely trust my own boss). you don’t know these people outside of work - they could be snakes looking to take your position or throw you under the bus if the time comes. Trust me - if it comes down to you going or them going - they aren’t getting let go - you’re the first to have tire marks on your back. You can like people, but don’t gossip or commiserate. I hope you were able to get a lot of the understandable frustration you’re feeling here. Now leave it here. Hit your rest button and take the good advice you’ve received here!