Company Politics and Favoritism

Anonymous

September 20,2021 at 12:35PM UTC

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Company Politics and Favoritism

My company is going through a lot of changes we are getting a lot of turn over. After 8 years with the company I am glad we are the size we are otherwise I would be worried.

However, with job postings it has become more about who your friends with outside of work vs qualified people. We have people who are no in hiring management level getting inside details on job postings. When they will open/reopen who exactly they are looking for and then being pushed by high upper level managers to apply. People who have little understanding of the organization and who have not excelled in their current roles are being pushed to apply. People who have been in the unit for over 3 years are being overlooked due to not knowing the right people.

Feedback in the company is bad, morale is low. People feel like there is no way to move in the company unless they befriend certain managers out of work.

How does one go about providing this feedback to the company, it could just be a perception but it is starting to make people look elsewhere and we really need some stability in the organization.

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AnonymousSeptember 20,2021 at 12:38PM UTC
This sounds like my former employer. If you were a "Teachers Pet" of upper management you would race up the ladder . No experience required . Feedback to one of the more flexible open minded upper managers may help.
AnonymousSeptember 20,2021 at 4:24PM UTC
Did anything change or did you choose to leave because of these experiences?
AnonymousSeptember 21,2021 at 1:07AM UTC
I left the company in Dec 2020. I realized that it would never get better after a " friend " who I had known for over 10 years before she became mgmt-- allowed my direct manager to speak rudely to me on a joint Zoom call . He also reported to her but she did nothing to stop him . Best decision I ever made.
Alexandria Scobee |Leadership Coach | IT ManagerSeptember 20,2021 at 1:19PM UTC
Do you have a good relationship with any of those managers? This sounds like an unfortunate circumstance of human behavior. We tend to be drawn to and hire those we deem like us. If I was being generous with motivations of the higher ups I’m guessing they are also trying to bring stability. If you personally are seeking one of the positions I would recommend that networking is always a good idea and makes it more likely that you will be thought of for positions. Most of the time it is the people who ask for the positions who get them.
AnonymousSeptember 20,2021 at 4:23PM UTC
We have been asking. What we are being told is none of us are qualified. We have an individual who graduated a prestigious university, worked as a major project manager, and served as an officer in the military even being told they are not qualified to move up in our organization because they don't have managerial experience. However the friend outside of work of a hiring manager is being told to apply and they have no direct management skills in their portfolio they have just had had self management roles in the organization.
We also have people being fed information that should not know certain HR things about other employees.
I agree with all of your above statements that is normally how things have been handled but recently this issue has become very apparent its who your friends with outside of work. We are already having a major issue with employee retention and now more are considering leaving due to these practices.
AnonymousSeptember 20,2021 at 6:04PM UTC
Welcome to Corporate America!
Alexandria Scobee |Leadership Coach | IT ManagerSeptember 22,2021 at 6:09PM UTC
From the outside this sounds like a very toxic environment and that moving on or playing the game sound like the only options. You have my sympathies. I am happy to have a chat about transition plans if that is helpful.
AnonymousSeptember 20,2021 at 1:37PM UTC
This is politics and it surrounds us at work and in life. Networking is how you move around.
I always network in life and at work. People open doors. It's the way life works. I would always let my manager and other decision makers know what I want from my career and how I'd like to move in my career. I do this in my life. You'd be surprised at how many doors open for you when you help others and let people know where you're going. It's all an inside track.
AnonymousSeptember 20,2021 at 4:18PM UTC
While I agree with your statements networking inside of work should be how that is accomplished. Not who is your friend outside of the office.
The current practice is actually alienating a large sector of qualified employees and making good employees leave.
AnonymousSeptember 20,2021 at 4:52PM UTC
Evidently this has not impacted the company to a degree that they want to change any policies..
My company actually pays people to refer they friends and former coworkers to fill open jobs at our company. I actually made $500 last year referring my friend who was hired.
Beverly RuyleSeptember 20,2021 at 5:04PM UTC
Winners never whine and whining never wins. Advocate for yourself and broadcast your accomplishments.
Deborah MitchellSeptember 21,2021 at 2:10AM UTC
Sounds like it's time to move on?
AnonymousSeptember 21,2021 at 4:55AM UTC
Are you in a position to bring solutions to the table? I’ve found that leadership rarely wants to hear criticism (even if they agree) unless there is also a plan to fix the problem.
If you’re not in a position to be a catalyst for change, I’m not sure it’s worth potentially burning bridges?
Jackie GhedineSeptember 21,2021 at 12:42PM UTC
Think of bringing solutions to the table, not just feedback. Feedback can be perceived as complaining (especially in closed minded organizations). Instead, consider what actions can be taken to change the policies and procedures. What criteria could be outlined for the roles? How can the organization increase their communications within to provide a feeling of understanding with employees?