27 November 2006
The politics of office working
It’s no surprise that office politics is rife in organizations. But did you know that there are six types of political animal roaming the UK workplace?
Any of these seem familiar?
A survey of British staff has led to one recruiter categorizing them
as distinct political types. Office Angels, a secretarial and office
support recruitment consultancy, asked 1,800 workers to describe their
working styles, attitudes, philosophies and goals.
From methods for dealing with office strife to attitudes towards Britain’s late-hours culture, the survey revealed that office workers fall into six groups, characterized along clearly defined “party” lines including liberal mediators, bandwagon opportunists, shop stewards, traditionalists, environmentalists and eccentrics.
It seems the average UK office has more in common with the corridors of Westminster than ever before.
From internal wrangling over promotion and strategies to curry favour with the boss, it seems the average UK office has more in common with the corridors of Westminster than ever before. See if any of your fellow workers fall into the categories listed below:
- Liberal mediators: make up a third
(31%) of employees. Firm upholders of democracy, they believe everyone
has a right to have their say. Natural arbitrators who’ll step
in to defuse collective office strife, liberal mediators' personal
goals are sometimes pushed to the sidelines due to their reluctance
to offend. As a result they can be typically found in middle-management
positions in roles that rely on diplomacy and negotiation skills.
- Bandwagon opportunists: a quarter
(21%) of those surveyed are members of this office party. They’re canny workers who spot trends in advance
and are passionate about new ideas. Predominantly natural leaders, they’re
likely to be gadget gurus and are adept at office politics, succeeding
by being fleet of foot and a friend to all. The opportunist gains popularity
by exploiting every situation to their advantage.
- Shop stewards: in at nine and out
at five on the dot – shop stewards
know their rights and fight their corner, but are a dying breed in
today’s
competitive job market when employees are increasingly expected to
work longer hours and display flexibility when it comes to the working
day. Making up a fifth (19%) of the office workforce, stewards are
typically found in office roles that require tenacity and dedication.
- Pinstriped traditionalists: these
employees don’t like change and
prefer things “how they used to be done.” Polite and conscientious,
they’re motivated by personal reward and work hard to gain the next promotion,
but can be perceived as being “old school” by younger colleagues.
Making up 16% of those surveyed, traditionalists can be relied upon
to produce work of the highest quality.
- Office environmentalists: make up
10% of the UK office. Environmentalists are the employees most likely
to empty the recycling bins, donate old stock to local charities and
advocate a “computer switch off” policy overnight.
Combining professionalism with personal passion, unlike other colleagues the
environmentalist refuses to spend £10 a week on lattes. A growing
force in the work place, this type of worker has strong ethics and
is highly trusted by colleagues.
- Office eccentrics: a small but vocal element of the workforce. Eccentrics like to do things differently and are guaranteed to be the life and soul of the office party. Making up just 3% of any office, they can sometimes be the butt of jokes but tend to be well liked. Often creative and passionate about their role, they can be relied upon to come up with new ideas and ways of thinking.
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