Is Office Politics Killing Your Company? How to Detoxify Your Workplace
"Uncover the Hidden Costs of Organizational Politics and Build a Fairer, More Productive SME"
Organizational politics, the unspoken games and power struggles within a workplace, have long been a subject of academic and practical interest. While the concept itself isn't new, serious scholarly inquiry into its impact on organizations has only recently emerged as a robust field of study. These studies highlight that politics are an almost inevitable part of organizational life, demanding closer attention and empirical examination to understand and manage their effects.
The consequences of unchecked organizational politics can be severe, particularly concerning employee well-being and overall productivity. Research consistently demonstrates that a politically charged atmosphere fosters perceptions of inequity, diminishes organizational commitment, and ultimately drives employees to seek opportunities elsewhere. This turnover is costly, with expenses far exceeding the investment required to retain valuable staff.
While research into organizational politics is growing, there's a significant gap in our understanding. The focus has largely been on large corporations, neglecting the unique dynamics within small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Given that SMEs are vital engines of economic growth and job creation, especially in developing countries, it's critical to address this oversight. The characteristics of large sized firms and the SMEs are different and the findings might be expected to be different.
The High Cost of Unfairness: How Workplace Politics Fuels Turnover
Justice judgment theory suggests that employees are deeply concerned about fairness. When they perceive fair treatment, they report greater satisfaction in their social relationships at work. A proliferation of studies in organizational justice suggests that Justice Judgment theory assumes that an individual's perception of fairness is based on justice rules. Justice rule is defined as an individual's belief that a distribution of outcome, or procedure for distribution of outcomes, is fair and appropriate when it satisfies certain criteria.
- Reduced Productivity: Employees disengage when they feel unheard or undervalued.
- Damaged Morale: A toxic environment breeds resentment and distrust.
- Loss of Talent: High turnover disrupts team dynamics and institutional knowledge.
Turning the Tide: Practical Steps to Detoxify Your Workplace
Addressing organizational politics requires a multifaceted approach. SME owners and managers should prioritize strategies that promote transparency, fairness, and open communication. By fostering a culture where employees feel valued and respected, businesses can mitigate the negative effects of political maneuvering and cultivate a more engaged, productive workforce. Some of these measures might include instituting a strict code of conduct at the workplace and ensuring that the code of conduct is understood, observed and enforced. Managers are also encouraged to reward desired behaviors that follow the code of conduct while punishing undesirable behaviors that promote negative organizational politicking at the workplace.