I have been working at a pharmacy as part time sales assistant for a few years and I have seen a fair share of interpersonal conflicts that arise between some of my colleagues and the pharmacist. Since Sunday is an off day for the pharmacist, I never really get to work with her but almost every colleague that I worked with, often complained of the ill treatment they experienced.
The most brought up issue was the blatant favouritism shown towards some of the staff, who complained of having their every action closely monitored by the pharmacist as though they were incompetent and distrustful. Other staffs who are clearly in good terms with pharmacist however, do not share the same problem which consequently prompted gossips that they have been trying to win favours through unscrupulous methods. Personally, I cannot solely judge her based on my colleagues’ grievances as I did not see the incidents myself. The pharmacist probably did so to ensure that mistakes are avoided although her method is left to be desired.
The only thing I can do is to console my colleagues and advised them to do their job honestly in the hope of gaining the pharmacist’s trust. Eventually, some could no longer put up with the micro managing and aired their discontent which often ended in a heated argument resulting in either having their complaints dismissed or being transferred to another outlet. Therefore, without having to resort to these outcomes, what can be done by both parties so as to maintain a harmonious working environment?
This sort of conflict that your colleagues are having with the pharmacist is perhaps a tricky one to resolve because it’s like a cold war. The tensions are there but no one is airing anything in the open. Simply put, this is office politics.
ReplyDeleteUnder normal circumstances I’d say outsmart the others and stab them in the back! But, this isn’t a normal circumstance and perhaps the right thing to advice your colleagues is having them to find an opportunity to talk to the pharmacist while putting aside the negative connotations they already have of her. The correct application of effective communication with the addition of a simple EQ check and the resolve would probably solve itself.
Of course, this would take time and effort on your colleagues’ part but it is inevitably the most sensible thing to do. Waiting out this cold war will only freeze everyone over.
Dear fahmi,
ReplyDeleteI like how you do not judge the situation or her character before seeing it for yourself. For all you know, the problem might actually be due to your collegues themselves, not the pharmacist.
Office politics are inevitable, that's why having a good EQ in the working environment is utmost important. I do not think that sucking up to our bosses are right, but I do believe we should act accoding to circumstances, and be sharp and vigilant all the time.
Nicholas
Hi Fahmi,
ReplyDeleteYou are very rational as I can see that you are not easily influenced by one's biased viewpoint and could analyse the whole situation in a neutral platform. You actually practice one of the quality of good EQ of empathy by putting yourself in the shoes of various characters involved in the situation.
I think perhaps your colleague should try to practice more self awareness, be confident such that in any situation they perform they job duly. Once they established the trust with the pharmacist, he/she might not monitor their actions so closely.
As for the pharmacist, he/she should practice empathy, to put himself in the shoes of the others and more communication with your colleagues should be done in order to resolve misunderstanding. Simple questions like " How is everything today? " helps to foster some connection.