Advice for dealing with gossip, favoritism and the office politics

Office politics exist in every workplace. Whether you work at a small design agency or a major financial corporation, internal power struggles arise. Following are three common political problems in the workplace and tips for handling each situation.

Q: I would like to avoid the office rumor mill, but people always try roping me into gossipy conversations. How should I handle this?

A: Water cooler chatter can be both helpful and harmful. The trick is recognizing when to listen and when to cut and run. Walk away when the gossip involves non-business-related topics or mean-spirited mudslinging.

Q: I'm a loyal employee and a hard worker, but my boss plays favorites and always gives the plum assignments to a particular co-worker. What can I do?

A: Before crying foul, make sure you communicate to your supervisor your interest in taking on additional responsibility. Your manager might simply be waiting for you to step up and show initiative.

Q: One of my colleagues seems like she's out to get me. Whenever possible, she does something to make me look bad. How should I respond?

A:If someone's purposely undermining your efforts, you can respond in several ways.
One option is to pull the person aside and ask her about her troubling actions. Focus on the facts and don't let your emotions get the best of you.

If you feel confronting your co-worker is futile, document her behavior, collecting concrete evidence supporting your claims and making note of how your performance was adversely affected. Then, bring the matter to your manager's attention in an objective, professional manner. Your goal is not to complain or vent but to apprise your manager of the situation, emphasizing how your co-worker's actions are impeding productivity.