Office politics/gossip

[videsee]

How many of us 'play the game' .

How many do it willingly, how many enjoy it, how many hate it and how many use it to further their career.

Please also tell us about other people you have come across.

And any tips????

How to handle it?

[viking]

A very good topic.I feel silence is the best strategy in terms of office politics.Speak up only when it's definately going to have a desired effect.

[GpeL]

I do not allow that at all at my office and do not participate in it at all.. I had that problem in India and I chose to ignore it and was largely successful.

[ManOfLaMancha]

Originally posted by GpeL
I do not allow that at all at my office and do not participate in it at all.. I had that problem in India and I chose to ignore it and was largely successful.

You were fortunate enough to be successful. But it usually doesn't result into success. If you are ambitious, you have to take part in it. I have seen examples where deserving people didn't get their due because their reluctance to participate in office power play.

[Super Girl]

I do not like it at all.

Largely because I hate confrontations... and these politics is inevitably leads to that.

BUT, if some one is trying to further his/her career at my expense, well then I speak up. This has happened to me.

My experience...The gori who used to work with me was trying to forward her career at my expense by showing me in bad light. I talked to my boss about it. He made sure that I got a big project and asked me to do the best that I could. I did. In the end she was not promoted and I was.

Most of the time I ignore it, 'cos I feel your work largely speaks for yourself. Plus it helps if you have gift of the gab :D :D

[supada]

besides politics an dall, i feel talking big helps further ur carreer..
My personal exp...

when i was hust 1 yr experienced igot job offres based on my skills only and was well below mkt rates...when i opened up in Bangalore office culture of talking big...i got lot of attention...

I remember going to Boss with crap kind of suggestions...making moves even when they are uncalled for ...playing team lead without being it officially healped me get high raise and promotion..
then when i quit that company i projected my self to be very senior guy in project mamangement and all and with just 3.5 yrs of exp i was selected for project manager with a salary of 75K in India...

since that day i work less and talk big of that work and getting a fat sum of money...


so i wld say it wanna succeed in this pro worls then be a good pro ( professional) talk more work less...

i haven't stayed in a company for more then 15 mnths and everytime i join new company i get big raise...

[GpeL]

Supada in USA you might have to stick longer with a firm.. saala aaj kal GC process is taking 4 years (i.e. if you want a GC.) On a related note, even if you are planing to go back to INDIA, apply for GC and if possible get it and then go..Many of my friends went there without taking one (wound up their career) and now after 6 months are feeling like coming back. but you cannot come back for 1 year after the 6 year of H1. Had they applied their GC, they would have gotten it when I got it (about 4 years ago.. it took me less than 2 years to get mine).. after that they were free to go back or practice their trades here.

Like for instance, I can go back and come back as much as I wish (and as long as I do not stay in India consequtively for 183 days.. my GC status will never be questioned for anothere 20 years atleast!!).

[supada]

Originally posted by GpeL
Supada in USA you might have to stick longer with a firm.. saala aaj kal GC process is taking 4 years (i.e. if you want a GC.) On a related note, even if you are planing to go back to INDIA, apply for GC and if possible get it and then go..Many of my friends went there without taking one (wound up their career) and now after 6 months are feeling like coming back. but you cannot come back for 1 year after the 6 year of H1. Had they applied their GC, they would have gotten it when I got it (about 4 years ago.. it took me less than 2 years to get mine).. after that they were free to go back or practice their trades here.

Like for instance, I can go back and come back as much as I wish (and as long as I do not stay in India consequtively for 183 days.. my GC status will never be questioned for anothere 20 years atleast!!).

Bhai ji hamara USA me jyada rulne ka plan nahi hai..
koi GC ka chakker nahi...vapas apne watan ko jayenge ....biwi business chalayegi aur hum kisi company kee aisi taisi karenge....

Yaar GpeL India me senior bando ko bahut facilities milty hai...ya yoo kaho ke company unke haath me hoti hai....

My personal exp in CMC Ltd was something like this..

[GpeL]

Dude where in CMC were youi.. I am trying to track an old friend of mine called jitendra chaure (originally from bhilai and later we were very close friends in secunderabad).. A very nice chap.. can you help me track him.. he was with CMC calcutta. Last I met him in 91 or so when he was posted in Bhilai Steel plant (on deputation).. kuch madaad kar saktaa hai use dhoondne me?

[supada]

GpeL bhai Hum CMC dilli me tha..and my bro was in Hyd Gachibowli CMC...

Yaar CMC Calcutta se touch nahi tha...vaise aaj bhee CMC ke kuch logo se touch hai ...try maar sakta hoo..

was he in S/w , H/w or BD

[GpeL]

He was in S/W.. He did his course in 1989 from CMC Secunderabad and joined CMC Calcutta in 1989. his name is
Jitendra Chaure (could be spelt chawre too!!).Yaar koi bhi us ka email/phunva kuch bhi dilaa yaar us se kuch baat karni hai mujhe bahut important. Teri bahut meharbaani hogi mere par.

[Netra]

Politics is a dirty game therefore I don't indulge in it at all. I believe in the theory of karma. I put in my best and don't bother about the results at all. I seem to be doing pretty well.

[Indian]

I have no shame to say that ...
i am a Victim of Office Politics ..here in my office.

a coleague who was a programmer like me ..had just 6 months of experience. This bastard(a chinki) had once stolen my code and did a big talk before management,now he is Chief Technology Officer in our company ....toba toba:D . Now.. he has a strange inferiority complex to talk and work with me . we had a very loud verbal fight once( i enjoyed it :)). And now ..he is searching for a reason to kick me out from company ..i am waiting for it :D

on a serious note ..
i must say that 'one should talk big' ..if not..atleast you have to shout for the work you have did , else you will go un recognised in this big bad corporate world.

I miserably failed to TALK BIG :(

[Netra]

Fortunately, I haven't become a victim of politics. I have always had a great work atmosphere.

Sometimes I wonder if it is my lack of ambition to advance that helps me with this good ambiance at work.

[Patel Bhai]

I am not at all good at office politics. I also don't have skills to talk big - I am work oriented and believe that at the end of the day the work will speak.

However beacuse of my that attitute sometimes I suffered a lot. I have been to the managerial position for long time and good at human relations - but when saying something which is wrong - or more than reality is something I cann't do. And so, when I say (to my bosses) that something is posible or I can do it, they just relax - as I never claim big things.

I still prefer to be honest and not to speak high, even at the expense of my career!

(BTW, I have never seen my junior people or coleagues becoming seniors to me in my 12 years IT career)

[kate]

Originally posted by GpeL
Like for instance, I can go back and come back as much as I wish (and as long as I do not stay in India consequtively for 183 days.. my GC status will never be questioned for anothere 20 years atleast!!).

If you are going to be out of country for a long period (say 2 years), all you have to do is inform the INS. And your GC status is not in jeopardy even after the GC expires (usually 10 years and not 20) and you don't renew it. You do not automatically go out of status. But, chances are that you would be a US citizen by then as one needs to wait only 5 years after GC approval date to apply for US citizenship. You will find this info either on your approval letter or the paper that accompanied the card.

Are you sure that you have GC and just not aware of the rules ? because usually desi are pretty good at INS rules.

Reentry permits are for people who hold green cards and know in advance that they must be outside the United States for more than one year. Under such circumstances, the INS can allow you to stay away for up to two years. You should send in your application before leaving. If approved, a reentry permit will be issued and will serve as an entry document when you are ready to return.

Reentry permits cannot be renewed and can be applied for only inside the United States. If you want to stay away for more than two years, you must return briefly and apply for another reentry permit.

Hope this helps!!

(not a leagl advice though)

[aryaputra]

depends upon the total office atmosphere.

But I would rather stay out of it.

'cause at the end of the day, somebody is going to question your progress in work. Then what?

leave jobs like mr. Supada?

He may like doing it......I don't like changing jobs every now and then.

I have not come across back-stabbing in the USA.

In India, backstabbing was almost a requirement/necessity for progress.

I think I can be frank in saying that backstabbing is what brought me to the USA...else I would still be in India ;)

[GpeL]

Are you sure that you have GC and just not aware of the rules ? because usually desi are pretty good at INS rules.




Kate.. I do not konw the rules kate and I do not have to burden myself with them because I have a very competant lawer to take care of all my legal issues with IRS/INS and the rest. What you are talking about is a reentry permits and their rules are again a different issue that I would let my counsel worry about.

It is important to socialize with the people you work and if work is all you have on your mind, you are sure to go waco!!

It is equally important (in any office, any country) that whatever you do, you show that you have done it so that you get credit. If someone else is taking credit for what you are doing, it is injustice to you, but no one but you will have to fight for it.

This is exactly why they have the CC button on the office e-mail!!:D :D

[aryaputra]

truly said eNRI.

but bragging and backstabbing are my problems. I can always speak loud of my acheivements....only problem....you can have time to either achieve or brag...i prefer the former.

[Super Girl]

Originally posted by GpeL


(and as long as I do not stay in India consequtively for 183 days.. my GC status will never be questioned for anothere 20 years atleast!!).

The 183 days come in effect when you are applying for citizenship in the US.

If you do not complete the stipulated 183 days in a year here then your application is rejected unless you have reasons to prove your absence.

If you plan to stay out, apply for the reentry permit to Nebraska. It will be mailed out to you. This is if you plan to saty out of the country for an extended period. The permit is valid for 2 years.

SG

[GpeL]

Yes SG.. this 183 is a very imporant number to remember. It comes up all the time.. when you claim dependents on your tax returns.. when you go for citizenship and the whole laundry list.

[Randheer]

Just Remeber,
In Corporate World Humbility never pays and Good Guys always
finish Last.
Depends on which company you are.If you are in a Big Company,you should only do Politics

[risingsun]

for those who cannot speak big or have problems with office politics, can do better going thru the books by scott adams (dilbert fame).

Originally posted by aryaputra
truly said eNRI.

but bragging and backstabbing are my problems. I can always speak loud of my acheivements....only problem....you can have time to either achieve or brag...i prefer the former.

winners do both!!

[supada]

Originally posted by aryaputra
depends upon the total office atmosphere.

But I would rather stay out of it.

'cause at the end of the day, somebody is going to question your progress in work. Then what?

leave jobs like mr. Supada?

He may like doing it......I don't like changing jobs every now and then.

I have not come across back-stabbing in the USA.

In India, backstabbing was almost a requirement/necessity for progress.

I think I can be frank in saying that backstabbing is what brought me to the USA...else I would still be in India ;)

Arya bhai...I never said i only talk big...i am good at work also and do work but while talking about that i just inflate its importance many times...Also if u show more activity and interest in company progress , objectives and project ( though may not be that much genuine) then for sure u will make an impression and will gain...Also i genearlly change companies after atleast 15 months and that's a long time for giving all u have to a company...u know more u stay at a place ..more ur career become stagnate ...as goes like more u stay at a place more likely u wil become corrupt...

Anyway having seen many corporate work environment, i have learnt many things and i have a broad idea of differnt corporate perpective...

Punch line...
Hindi mein ek kahawat hai...

Rai kaa pahaad bana dena...
bhai rai kaa pahaad ban sakta hai par rai kaa hona jaroori hai..
so to talk big have something to show off also.

[ManOfLaMancha]

Originally posted by supada

Also i genearlly change companies after atleast 15 months and that's a long time for giving all u have to a company...u know more u stay at a place ..more ur career become stagnate ...as goes like more u stay at a place more likely u wil become corrupt...


Agree with supada here. Don't know what happens in the rest of US. But lots of people do change job every 2 years or so. Primary reason is that enough stocks vest. Secondly, you can get a significant increase in salary. Thirdly, if you stay in the same place for a long time, I think, people suspect you of being not-so-good.

[aryaputra]

first to eNRI:

Winners do both!

Agreed. The man on the top does both. could not disagree even if I wanted to ;)

to MoLm:

Changing jobs often is like a double edged sword.
my take: people tend to think that you are not so good so after your honeymoon with your company, they have sacked you;)
If you were truly indispensible, you would get a raise, promotion and stay at the same place - which I do.

[ManOfLaMancha]

Originally posted by aryaputra
to MoLm:

Changing jobs often is like a double edged sword.
my take: people tend to think that you are not so good so after your honeymoon with your company, they have sacked you;)
If you were truly indispensible, you would get a raise, promotion and stay at the same place - which I do.

Not so in the Valley. Too frequent jumps are suspicious, but 2 years and people here think you are a loyalist :D .

[supada]

Arya Bhai,
No doubt that honesty is a big virtue and let the work speak for itself is a great policy but in this corporate world rules r a bit different...

Yeah, if u r truly working hard, indispensable then u will get rais e promotions but not to the same extent when u switch jobs or when u do indulge in big talks...

have u heard of 60-70% raise in normal way

Originally posted by ManOfLaMancha
Not so in the Valley. Too frequent jumps are suspicious, but 2 years and people here think you are a loyalist :D .

... Now 2 years and you think that the COMPANY has been loyal to you!!!!

(although I have never worked in the valley)

[aryaputra]

Originally posted by supada
Arya Bhai,
No doubt that honesty is a big virtue and let the work speak for itself is a great policy but in this corporate world rules r a bit different...

Yeah, if u r truly working hard, indispensable then u will get rais e promotions but not to the same extent when u switch jobs or when u do indulge in big talks...

have u heard of 60-70% raise in normal way

I get your point supadaji.

[ManOfLaMancha]

Originally posted by eNRI


... Now 2 years and you think that the COMPANY has been loyal to you!!!!

(although I have never worked in the valley)

eNRI I don't know in which god-forsaken place you stay but in the Valley there are still a lot of jobs.

Originally posted by ManOfLaMancha
eNRI I don't know in which god-forsaken place you stay but in the Valley there are still a lot of jobs.

... but you obviously are not aware of the massive layoffs there.

So, when you have got your daily dose of gosssip at echarcha.com , go visit some news websites and update yourself:p :p :p :p

[ManOfLaMancha]

Originally posted by eNRI


... but you obviously are not aware of the massive layoffs there.

So, when you have got your daily dose of gosssip at echarcha.com , go visit some news websites and update yourself:p :p :p :p

Dude, I stay in the valley. Don't tell me about the layoffs.