The resurgence of office politics in workplaces following return-to-office mandates is creating a less favorable environment that is characterized by backdoor maneuvers and subtle takedowns aimed at career advancement. Research indicates that while Gen Z and millennials are frequently implicated, these actions are not restricted to any one group and include even those in supervisory roles.
As employees have transitioned from virtual spaces back to physical offices, they are encountering unpleasant aspects of office life, such as backstabbing, which has accompanied the return of in-person interactions. According to a study conducted by Resume Now, 61% of employees reported being undermined at work, with nearly a third witnessing such actions weekly.
This data reveals that, while no generation is exempt, Gen Z and millennials are often perceived to be more involved in these tactics than baby boomers and Gen X. A survey of over 1,000 American workers found that peers are frequently blamed for hindering others’ career success, and managers themselves are not above engaging in unethical behavior, with one in four employees saying their manager has set them up to fail.
Career ambitions and self-preservation are the main drivers behind these toxic behaviors, as suggested by the survey, with 40% of respondents admitting to undermining a colleague to advance their own careers. Common sabotage tactics include blaming others for mistakes, sharing negative information about colleagues with leadership, withholding crucial information, and deliberately setting colleagues up to fail.
The report emphasizes the need for employees to cultivate a culture of accountability and support, suggesting that open discussions about workplace expectations, values, and professionalism might alleviate these toxic dynamics. Keith Spencer, one of the report’s authors, advises employees to keep a record of their contributions and communicate their efforts transparently to their teams.
The resurgence of bad behavior in the workplace is further underscored by recent findings that workplace incivility has risen by 21.5%, costing companies $2.1 billion daily due to lost productivity. This surge is attributed to vigorous return-to-office mandates, which have heightened the frequency of in-person interactions—and consequently, opportunities for incivility.
Developing conflict resolution skills has become crucial in navigating these challenges effectively. Resume Now suggests that employees can manage office politics by fostering positive relationships and proactively addressing conflicts.
The perception that sabotaging colleagues is a viable way to ascend the corporate ladder is questioned by several corporate leaders. Pano Christou, CEO of Pret A Manger, cautions that backstabbing does not yield long-term success, recounting his own career progression focused on merit rather than undermining colleagues. Likewise, Neil Clifford of Kurt Geiger emphasizes the value of supporting and uplifting colleagues and supervisors to advance one’s career. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy attributes career acceleration to maintaining a positive attitude and garnering support from others.
Originally published on Fortune.com, this article examines how navigating office politics and building a culture of transparency and support can mitigate the negative impacts of those seeking to advance through unscrupulous means.
