Latest news with #officePolitics
Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Workplace Gossip For Your Entertainment, in Books and TV
Workplace Gossip in Books and TV We spend much of our adult lives working. And that comes with workplace politics and managing challenging personalities, all while diplomatically trying to hold back what we really want to say. Despite the huge investment it takes to cultivate these relationships, most of us had little choice in selecting these constant companions. Therefore, managing these relationships takes a suite of communication skills, including influence, persuasion, emotional intelligence, and gossip. For those without formal power, such as a titled leadership position, managing horizontally and up can be an important communication skill to master. Without executive power that comes with formal leadership, employees need to rely on another source of power. That's where gossip comes in. Gossip gets a bad name and can, indeed, often be toxic in workplaces. But dig deeper, and evolutionary psychologists argue that gossip developed and has continually evolved to police morality in communities by letting people know what is permissible, applauded, or tolerated. Those who violate these moral norms will face reputation damage, exclusion, or even expulsion from the community. The most challenging workplace dramas can also be a source of entertainment and humor, as we, as humans, try to process and grapple with the great stressors in our lives. The TV show, The Office, masterfully turned cringeworthy office politics into comedy that so many of us could relate to. As an example of policing moral norms, in the episode called 'The Secret', Michael overhears Stanley and Jim talking about having feelings for someone, which Michael interprets as Stanley having an affair. But, in fact, what Michael overheard was Jim sharing his feelings for Pam. Michael then spends the episode dropping hints to others in the office about Stanley's infidelity, and gossip whips through the workplace through whispers and speculations behind Stanley's back. In a style classic to The Office, the truth was messily revealed in an office meeting, but the damage was done, in terms of Stanley's feelings of frustration and isolation caused by Michael's use of gossip to police what he saw as wrong. This example shows an effective use of gossip to police moral norms, mixed with toxic side of gossip, exacerbated by the fact that it was based on a miscomputation, which is all too common with this source of behind-the-scenes power. Some outstanding books about gossip include, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, depicting the spread of gossip through a community of school parents, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, about how a career can be shaped through gossip, and a recent one by Canadian author Natalie Sue with the clever title for a book about office communication: I Hope This Finds You Well. Imagine an IT mistake that allows you access to the private emails and direct messages of all your colleagues. You can know what people are saying about each other (and you) behind their backs, read their elicit communications with romantic partners, and keep abreast of all the gossip and scheming about looming job cuts. That's the basic plot of I Hope This Finds You Well, and Sue artfully makes the reader grapple the protagonist's dilemma to report the IT error or to use this source of information to her advantage. Check this one out if you can relate to the burnout and disengagement felt by Millennials in dead-end jobs and if you're not too squeamish about witnessing the slow build and inevitable trainwreck that culminates in this office gossip drama.
Telegraph
7 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Getting upset by a work mug going missing is ‘out of proportion'
Getting upset at your work mug going missing is 'out of proportion' and likely to cause colleagues to feel 'resentment' towards you, an employment tribunal has ruled. A judge has decided that implying that a missing cup has been stolen could be seen as 'confrontational'. The tribunal weighed in on the office politics surrounding work mugs in the case of a Currys worker who sued for racism after his went missing. Adeel Habib claimed he was discriminated against when colleagues 'cold-shouldered' him after he got 'greatly upset' by someone else taking his cup. The employment tribunal heard his reaction – in which he implied fellow staff were guilty of theft – seemed 'out of proportion'. His racism claim against the electrical retail giant was dismissed with the panel finding any 'resentment' towards him was caused by his 'confrontational' attitude to the mug going missing. 'Ill-equipped' to handle The hearing, held in Southampton, Hampshire, was told Mr Habib began working for Currys as a credit support associate in January 2023 at their office in Poole, Dorset, but he lasted under four months on the job. A co-worker explained to a 'greatly upset' Mr Habib that if he had left the mug in the kitchen then someone else had probably used it as those cups were seen as communal. She then offered to go around the office with Mr Habib and ask colleagues if they had seen the mug. The associate – who is of Pakistani background – said that after this incident he was 'cold-shouldered' by his colleagues and claimed at the tribunal that this amounted to racial discrimination. Employment Judge David Hughes said Mr Habib probably 'caused some resentment' because of his 'confrontational behaviour' in the search for the mug, adding it had nothing to do with his race. He said the associate was 'ill-equipped' to manage the nuances of social interaction in the workplace which could have 'eased tensions'. 'Probably very upset' Judge Hughes said: 'We find that Mr Habib was probably very upset about his mug. Just how upset he was probably seemed to his colleagues to be out of proportion to the loss of a mug.' He ruled that Mr Habib probably gave his co-workers reason to believe 'he viewed the loss of the mug as stealing', causing resentment. 'Sad though it is to have to say this, it seems to us to be likely that Mr Habib is, unfortunately, ill-equipped to cope with the nuances of social interaction in the workplace, and lacks the sort of social skills that might have eased tensions that arose around the mug incident,' he added. Mr Habib also tried to claim that his manager denying him five weeks annual leave to go back to Pakistan for a series of weddings, which he requested just a month into his employment, was racial discrimination. The tribunal found that the rejection of his holiday request was not discrimination but merely his manager following Currys' standard policy.
Forbes
23-05-2025
- Forbes
How To Reframe Negative Talk In The Workplace
Stephanie Dillon is Chief Ideator at Stephanie Dillon Art. getty I've done it. You've probably done it. Whether we whisper it in the back room or broadcast it on a group text, the pattern is always the same: When we hate, we recruit. We gather the evidence. We retell the story. We embellish it just enough for dramatic tension. We say, 'Can you believe she…' And then we wait for the head nod, the 'Oh my God, yes' or the 'She's the worst.' Because outrage is lonelier when you're the only one carrying it. It took me years and a few painful reckonings to admit this impulse in myself. The truth is that thinking about someone negatively in isolation rarely satisfies us. So we invite others in. Not because we want justice. But because we want backup. Because it's easier to stay angry when someone else is angry with you. But here's where this gets dangerous: When we recruit others into our dislike, into our vendettas, our office politics or our silent treatments, we're not just hating. We're building a team—a team against someone else. And suddenly, it's not about what happened; it's about the power we now feel together. I've done this in business. I've bristled when someone's success outpaced mine. I've painted someone unkindly to make my version feel more justified. And I've invited others to paint alongside me. Why? Because, in the moment, it felt righteous. It felt bonding. It felt…easier. But really, it was fear. Fear that maybe I wasn't good enough. Fear that someone else's shine meant mine was dimming. Fear that if I didn't unite others behind me, I might be left standing alone with a feeling I couldn't fully explain. In business, we justify this behavior as 'building culture.' We call it 'protecting the team.' We say, 'I'm just being honest.' But when honesty becomes a smear campaign, when culture becomes cliquey and when vulnerability turns into weaponized gossip, we're no longer leading. We're manipulating. So, how do we stop? How do we break the cycle when hating together feels better than healing alone? Here's what I practice now: Ask a key question: Is this true—or just true to me? Most hate starts with a feeling, not a fact. Get curious about the gap. If I need to vent, I write it down—in a note or a journal. Voice memos work, too. Just don't vent in the group chat. Is it betrayal? Jealousy? Grief? Rejection? Call it what it is. Hate is usually the mask. You don't have to rewrite the narrative. You can just step out of it. Even if it's small. Especially if it's hard. The moment I do this, something in me unclenches. Because everything we co-sign and every "huddle of hate" we join shapes our reputation more than the person we're talking about. The truth is, none of us are immune to gossip. Not in business. Not in friendship. Not in families. We are wired for tribalism. But we are also wired for growth. For accountability. For radical empathy. So, today, I choose to stop recruiting. I choose to stop winking at cruelty. I choose to deal with my discomfort in the mirror, not through a megaphone. Because while it might feel good to be part of the takedown, it feels even better to be someone who doesn't need one. And that, to me, is the kind of leadership we desperately need more of: not the kind that weaponizes emotion, but the kind that knows the difference between connection and collusion. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Geek Vibes Nation
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Love Crime' (2010) Blu-Ray Review - A Sultry And Engaging Swan Song For Alain Corneau
The final film from director Alain Corneau (SERIE NOIRE, TOUS LES MATINS DU MONDE), LOVE CRIME pits the fiery talents of Ludivine Sagnier (A GIRL CUT IN TWO) and Oscar-nominee Kristin Scott Thomas (THE ENGLISH PATIENT) against each other in a deliciously twisted tale of office politics that turn, literally, cut-throat. When Christine, a powerful executive (Scott Thomas), brings on a naive young ingénue, Isabelle (Sagnier), as her assistant, she delights in toying with her naïveté and teaching her hard lessons in a ruthless professional philosophy. But when the protege's ideas become tempting enough for Christine to pass one as her own, she underestimates Isabelle's ambition and cunning– and the ground is set for all out war. In this devilish, propulsive thriller, Corneau sets up a the scenery expertly and his actors devour it. For thoughts on Love Crime, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required: Video Quality Love Crime debuts on Blu-Ray domestically with a 1080p presentation that represents the 35mm source with great care. The filmic look is retained which allows the transfer to harness the most detail out of every scene. The frame provides notable depth to the various interiors, as you would expect from an accomplished filmmaker such as Alain Corneau. The production design and key clothing fabrics provide impeccable textural details. Black levels are mostly deep and detailed with no unacceptable digital noise and only a touch of raised blacks. The image is clear of damage with the vibrant color palette saturating the screen. The flesh tones are natural with an inviting amount of detail in close-ups. This Blu-Ray is a lovely representation of the movie. Audio Quality This Blu-Ray comes with a consistent DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track in the original mixture of English and French with forced English subtitles for non-English dialogue. Biting dialogue is one of the driving forces of the narrative, and it always comes through clearly in terms of accuracy to the source. None of the exchanges are overshadowed by any competing sounds. There is almost nothing in the way of action-packed moments, but a few heightened moments wake up the surround speakers in an effective way. Ambient details expand the setting when called upon. The score emanates with premium fidelity on this disc. Sound effects engage the low end of the track in a way that provides vital texture to the proceedings. The audio track is a winner. Special Features Audio Commentary: Film critic Travis Woods provides a commentary track that analyzes the film through its place in Alain Corneau's filmography, the stylistic conventions of the cinematography, the background of the performers, and more that is worth a listen. Video Essay by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas: A new nearly 17-minute video essay by film critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas that explores the concept of doubles, the filmography of Alain Corneau, the pedigree of the performers, the themes of the film, and more. Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring the essay 'Auteur-On-Auteur Violence: The Elusive Whys and Slippery Hows of Love Crime and Passion' by Katie Rife is provided that offers a deeper analysis and history of director Alain Corneau that is very valuable. Final Thoughts Love Crime is a strong swan song for legendary French auteur Alain Corneau. The film is sultry and engaging as you see two women who are fixated on one another quietly escalate their interactions until one of them reaches a breaking point. The film is anchored by two excellent performances, and the editing keeps you locked into all of the twists and turns with breathless anticipation. If you love a good mystery thriller, give this one a whirl. IFC Films has released a Blu-Ray featuring a favorable A/V presentation and a welcome selection of supplemental features. Recommended Love Crime is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: IFC Films and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
