Playing 'the game' at work

[ergonomics]

Being young and i guess you could say naive, it's slowly occurring to me that a lot of people play 'the game' at work to keep their job/progress in a company.

I've never really thought much about it, and i like to think everyone should just be as honest and straight forward as possible, but that isn't happening in my experience so far.

After receiving certain feedback from my manager, who had to be as professional as possible, but hinted at me needing to play the game a little more with the top level managers, i am left thinking..

How do you guys play the game at work?

 

[ergonomics]

If I find myself in that situation I leave the company and go somewhere less retarded.

That would be great if my company wasn't one of the best places to be for opportunities (and they damn well know that..). They have the whole 'well you get such great opportunities here, we will pay you minimum wage and criticise you'.

I've been criticised for looking too relaxed and easy going - which my manager said is a great trait to have, especially in high pressure situations and dealing with clients, however certain upper management assume i am lazy and not pro-active. I've been told to just 'look busier' and that i am doing my job to a very high standard, but if i dont look busy, people will get the wrong impression.

It's frustrating, but sadly i'm beginning to learn in some industries it's a must..

 

[ergonomics]

This is why I've never done well in my work, I refuse to play the corporate game. My bitter view and summing up is this...

Employees are judged on number of hours they spend in the office, and not on the actual amount of work they do. Frequently I would see people who I knew didn't do half as much work as me getting promotions just because they turned up half and hour early everyday and left an hour late. On the odd occasions I did need to work late, I'd often walk through the office and see people staying, yet not actually doing anything.

I've seen far too much nepotism in the corporate environment, family members of bosses given jobs and pay-rises often blatantly.

I also refuse to play the entitled staff member, I once worked with a guy who told me he'd go and see the boss once and month and ask for a payrise. My view has always been that my bosses should see how good a worker I am and offer it to me.

I've also never been on to blow my own trumpet to pimp myself. I've always done lots of stuff above and beyond my remit but I don't go running to the boss and say "look what I did", as a result I've always found myself massively appreciated by my colleagues but often overlooked by my bosses.

My exact feelings. Unfortunately, my urge to succeed is just a big as my refusal for blowing my managers.. so i'm faced with the 'if you cant beat them, join them' idea.

Even if your company is the best place on the plaent for opportunities, that doesn't work for you if they pass you up. When you think it's about time you were ready and should be given a new opportunity, seek it externally if its not on offer to _you_ at your current company.

Lifes all about the company of ergonomics, remember that.

This is true, however i will never encounter the calibre of clients we receive. I'm getting some valuable experience, meeting valuable contacts and working on some impressive projects. I constantly look for opportunities elsewhere, but the further down the foodchain, the less opportunity for high profile clients, and ironically, the less managerial bull id get, and more money..!