There was a lot to hate about being a teenager and dealing with cliques tops the list. Except, some people don’t grow out of those cliques and many find themselves in one in the workplace. As you can probably imagine, that’s not a good thing for your company or your Paycheck.
Here’s Five Fast Facts About Workplace Cliques:
- 👎 Running Numbers - A surprising 45% of American workers say there are cliques in their workplace. Worse, nearly half of those surveyed said their boss or manager is part of a clique. That’s a bit concerning.
- 🙍 Either/Or - Before we go any further: there’s a difference between a workplace team and a workplace clique. The accounting department going to lunch as a group is not clique behavior. Three people from the accounting department openly and constantly excluding everyone else is a clique.
- 🤐 Parts of a Whole - The easiest way to spot a clique is “excessive togetherness.” This is a real problem because the clique becomes more about the group than the company itself. And that’s a real morale (and career) killer.
- 😠 The Problem - Cliques negatively impact company culture because they open the door to feelings of bullying and discrimination. If management doesn’t get a handle on things, it could spell big time legal trouble.
- ✋ Stay Safe - Put an emphasis on prioritizing your job performance over socializing. Yes, that’s easier said than done, but it’s an effective way to protect yourself.
🔥Bottom line: It’s human nature to associate with like-minded people. However, there’s a point where that association can become toxic to everyone else. Be smart about how you conduct yourself and talk to your manager or supervisor about your concerns.
Are there cliques in your workplace?
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