Do you play "Office Politics" at work?

[Cherie84]

I work at a small office, and sadly, it's impossible to avoid getting involved in office politics. Whether it is an unfriendly manager who is condescending to his workers and clients, or co-workers who whisper and trash-talk others who they feel are below themselves, it's not a very healthy environment. I wish that people would just forget about the petty stuff, start respecting each other, and focus on getting the work done.

[ReturningWest]

I've had to deal with office politics on and off for most of my working life, I hate it and many times it's unavoidable.

While working as a nurse between 72-82 it was constant between the nurses - LPN's vs RN's, Supervisors vs floor nurse then of course there were the doctors.

In many instances while in the IT industry, it involved after work activities that I wasn't interested in and since I didn't participate my contract wasn't extended, those who did were extended. Ummm I had a life after work.

My last job was fabulous, I got my work off a secure database from home and went to the courthouses, I communicated with my office via phone, fax and email and only had to go to a staff meeting once a year. Plus my boss was great...It was probably the best job I ever had, it didn't pay all that great but the perks were worth it!

At one job, there was an annual MANDITORY gift exchange and buy the boss a gift at x-mas. I spoke against it as many of the workers there were barely above minimum wage and had their own families to provide for and I felt it was way out of line to demand money from them for not one but two gifts at x-mas, and on top of that not everyone celebrated that holiday because of other beliefs. They made the gift exchange voluntary but I was gone within 6 months...contract not renewed.

I'm not "christian" I have a different spiritual belief and it's just as valid, I get sick and tired of having x-mas and easter crammed down my throat and treated badly when I politely explain I'm not christian, I've been told by co-workers that I'll burn in hell, that I'm a sinful savage on and on. I live in the southern bible belt and can't wait to move, if the economy ever picks up so I can get out of here.

I've always prided myself on preforming above and beyond as far as my work duties are concerned, I treat everyone with respect but I just can't get into after work extra caricular activities nor do I want to socilize with most of the people I work with, we generally have nothing in common other than work.

[hana.b.adler]

working at few bank institution i must say the office politics there are high.although most people don't like to participate in office politics by direct means(actually making moves that change the company) there are 5% with come to play.beware of those ones.