Conflict At Work?

Question

We haven't gotten a pay raise in three years. Our boss keeps telling us that there's no money and he's working on getting funds. On top of that, my co-workers are very unsatisfied with their work environment (they're saying that they're being given too much work with no reward), although I think that the work the extra work they give us takes two seconds and it's pretty much part of our job.

I hate conflicts and I believe that instead of bitching non-stop about how much you hate your job, how about looking for a new one? My co-workers are saying that my neutral stance on the situation is immature and that if there's a conflict, I should take a stance. Since we work as a team, I'm hurting their argument by acting like things are ok. Is it so wrong that I don't want to be involved in drama? I just want to do my work, go home and get my check at the end of the week. Especially since I know that we have no influence on our boss (after three years of trying).

Answer 1

You should NEVER let other people, especially your co-workers, dictate your stance on your job and it's duties. If you like what you do and feel that the pay, workload etc is allright, then just kick back, do your job and let them be miserable. If it really begins to get to you, find another gig. But most folks are all about themselves...you would be a fool to think anyone cares about you and your well being except yourself.

Answer 2

If everybody at work is miserable because they're overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated, the manager needs to start managing better before everybody starts leaving for another company where the manager will manage. You need to take a stance because their bad attitude creates a corrosive work environment, but that stance doesn't have to be their's. Instead, someone, preferably you if you're less emotional about it, needs to talk with the manager about how this environment is hurting productivity, and positive things they can do to correct it. The bottom line is that things in your team aren't OK, and it's the managers responsibility to motivate the team and fix the problem. If your boss remains a bad manager, you may need to escalate things up, and if that doesn't work, you may need to find a better company.

If that doesn't work, you're right, if the job is so bad, quit. And if you're a talented worker, that's the best way to get a raise.

Answer 3

I don't blame you. I don't like drama at work either. I too believe that if you don't like your work conditions you should move on. It has been my experience that these kinds of things are usually started by one person. If that person leaves the problems will usually stop. I've seen it time and time again that the old saying is true that one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. I've also noticed that most people in a work environment are not even close to working to their capacity and little extra work should be taken in stride. I would be concerned, however, about a future with a company that cannot afford raises for it's employees for over three years. Wouldn't it be nice to find out who the sh*t stirrer is though and find a way to get him gone?

Answer 4

If you are satisfied with your working conditions and pay, then you should behave as you are doing and refuse to get involved.

I'm with you, if people are dissastisfied and have tried to make changes to no avail, they are better off changing jobs. Half of the questions on this board could be resolved by the answer "find a new job."

Answer 5

that guy has a good point, I'll think about your raise.chow.