Office politics is a sad reality that many workers encounter but are not prepared for. Our years in school have taught us to do our work well and on time and we will reap the rewards. The closest we get to being exposed to group dynamics is when we are assigned to group work. However, when we enter the workplace, we are beset with unwritten rules that govern office behavior as well as their accompanying rewards and sanctions.

Office newbies, fresh from college life’s merit-based rewards system, get stymied when faced with what they view as questionable career advancements in their workplace.

“I once worked with someone who was caught essentially stealing from the company,” shares Joan, a telesales agent in a service company. “Plus, this person has a bad disposition towards other people – peers and superiors alike!  Instead of being fired, all this person got was a slap on the wrist.  Now I hear this person is being promoted.  It makes me sad to think that kissing up to the bosses got her there.  Why do undeserving people get all the breaks?”

In this week’s Career Coach discussions, our experts share advice on dealing with this situation.

“What I can suggest to anyone is to personally discuss whatever reservation you may have directly to the HR manager or to your immediate supervisor,” says Beth Miranda of Sandstone Technology. “There maybe reason – valid or not – why this is happening within the company. Now if the reason given seems not valid and unfair to the general public then you can either escalate your cause to the next level to get your sentiment heard. If despite all courses of action you have made and the situation still persists, then maybe it is time to move on, rather than stay in a company that you don’t believe in anymore.”

Bong Austero of Philippine National Bank, advises looking at the situation from another perspective. “When you have a bad taste in your mouth, everything is bitter,” he says. “If you have a negative view of someone, there is nothing that person can do that would look good in your eyes.  It is possible that you are seeing this person from a totally negative light while the others, particularly the bosses, see that same individual from a more flattering light.  Like anything in this world, performance and potentials are multi-dimensional concepts – it is possible that what you are seeing is just one facet or dimension of the person. It is possible that the bosses see a more comprehensive picture – the one where the positives and the good points far outweigh the negatives that you see.  The view is quite different from the top compared to the view from below or from the same level.  So, you can choose to see it from a different perspective – perhaps a more positive one where you give people – the employee and your bosses the benefit of the doubt. "