Dealing With Character Assassination At Work

[Tck13]

I'm in a new department for several months and from day one I've been character assassinated. Quite successfully I might add...

It's to the point now that no matter how hard I work I'm still the idiot. It's pretty bad.

Any defense for this? This is going to drive me nuts as I'm stuck there for about a year. Unfortunately, it seems like when one is put "into a box" people tend to keep you there and that's what they think of you.

I had no problems with other departments, if fact they were pretty good but this department is like a hornet's nest.

 

[texas_jack]

Is it going to affect your employment? I'd just ignore it and document everything you've done right. That way if someone tries to get you into trouble you can show your value.

 

[Reggs]

Can you be more specific about what's happening to you?

 

[Lord-Barrington]

Is it one person doing the assassination? If so it's pretty easy to nip that in the bud by speaking frankly with your superior about the issue. If EVERYONE is in on it, you either work in a terrible work environment or you're the problem.

 

[Tck13]

nm

 

[nahneun]

Sounds like you're being hazed. Man up and deal with it. If you really are a worthy addition to their team, it'll show through and they'll respect you.

 

[Bhowie]

Originally Posted by nahneun

Sounds like you're being hazed. Man up and deal with it. If you really are a worthy addition to their team, it'll show through and they'll respect you.

hazed?

 

[pebblegrain]

look for another job.

 

[Joenobody0]

Identify the main assassin. Wait until everyone leaves for the evening. Take a piss on the office chair of your target. By morning it will have dried and you can feel better in the knowledge that the assassin is sitting in piss 40+ hours per week.

This course of action presupposes you aren't an idiot who's ****** at his job.

 

[stimulacra]

Read "Career Warfare" it highlights 10 rules for you to manage your reputation and personal brand. Basic Takeaway: 1) If you don't manage your reputation someone else will. 2) Most conversations about your performance will last less than 2-3 minutes. A one sentence disclaimer "I found him difficult to work with" can easily undercut a year of hard work and late hours. 3) 95% of people will keep silent or neutral about what they think of you when your name is mentioned. Only those that champion you or those that want to undermine you will speak up. If you are already being boxed or pigeonholed into one category of perception, you have your work cut out for you. The damage is done in a lot of ways and you will have to work hard to make people see you in a new light. Also this link below is a great read if you don't feel like cracking up a book: How to Get the Respect You Deserve at Work http://artofmanliness.com/2011/01/03...serve-at-work/

 

[Austin45]

Now I am no expert, but I will say your reaction to the present situation, depends on basically two things:e doing becuae they think you are an ass?

1- Are you actually good at your job? and it is the others or the particular person that is hating on you?

2-Are you actually not good at all and the others are simply doing what they are doing becuae they think you are an ass?

If your situation is scenario 1 above the, the next things is, if it is an individual doing all these, then you either go to the person and tries to make it right by reasoning with him in a friendly and civilized manner, and if that doesn't work, and i
f that person is not the boss, then your next move is to go to the boss or hierarchy and make your case. But if it has to do with a group of persons then I guess even though your options are limited, you can try to show them individually what you are rightly worth. And if you rightly are of any worth, I am sure they will see it individually and collectively leave you alone.


But if situation patterns to scenario 2 then I will just say try to be better at your job and work your way up through improvement and dedication. That way the others might see you otherwise.

Hope that helps.