Very toxic work enviroment - but on the way to a promotion

[suckered]

I am struggling with a decision to leave or stay in my current job. I started this job a year ago, slightly too junior for the role and just had an excellent performance review. It was so good that I was told I will get a promotion. It will take 3-6 months for it to be public. By all metrics, I am performing very well. This promotion comes with many financial perks and would look really good on my CV.

 

The problem is that my team is very toxic. There is daily stress, drama, gossip, jealousy and backstabbing. My manager is someone that is a lovely person but not experienced enough in managing people to keep this in check. He also tends to gossip about his other direct reports to me (and 100% does it about me to others). This is just feeding the drama. I don't think that there have ever been few days without some kind of escalation this year. Today, I was called into my manager's office to be told off for gossip. Apparently, the only person that I considered a friend in that place back-stabbed me. The ground just keeps shifting. It also doesn't help that everyone is super competitive and knows that there is a promotion in offering. Still, my manager re-assured me that I am getting it (despite this gossip report).

 

Just for reference in my last job, I had this kind of situation maybe once a year or less. I was also in a more junior position. There is no chance to change teams but who knows what the future holds? Maybe the main gossip creator will leave. Maybe managers will change. Maybe this is the norm for senior roles?

 

I have looked at other employment. The problem is, none offer a solid career path. If I don't won't to move (and I don't) - the best I can do is much lower payed and lower status role. I have worked hard to get here. I have worked harder than I ever did for this promotion. Whenever I make peace with all this drama, something out of the left field happens to knock me down again.

 

Stay or leave?

[MetallicHue]

It’s easier to leave with a job in hand. I would say get the promotion and start ramping up the job search. Regardless I’ve dealt with toxic environments the majority of my career with bs feedback a lot of the time. Some would think it’s just part of life.

[d0nnivain]

Stay. Change the environment. If you assume a leadership role you will have more opportunity make it a pleasant place to work. Be the agent of change. You have a positive Attitude. You foster peace & stop the bickering. Find ways to streamline the processes to make things more efficient & less stressful.

[suckered]

I am not sure what is the right leadership approach in this situation.

 

My manager has good intentions but he engages too much. If someone reports gossip to him, he will speak to all parties and try to get to the bottom of who said what, when and why with all the details. Then he will usually have all people in the room together. At the end of this process everyone feels betrayed and exhausted. I think someone with power needs to step up and say: "I don't care who said what. You are all adults, you don't have to be best friends but you are here to work. Now get on with it!". Then stop all the reporting for gossip nonsense. Now people are just using it as a tool to play each other and create general sense of paranoia.

[anika99]

Your manager is the root of the problem. Not only does he not know how to handle the situation you say he participates by gossiping himself. He is not a good a manager or leader. When you get the promotion will he still be your manager? Also do you have any guarantee that this promotion is really going to happen or is it just a carrot being dangled in front of you?

[Mr. Lucky]

Apparently, the only person that I considered a friend in that place back-stabbed me.

 

So, you're part of the gossip problem also ?

 

I'm with d0nnivain. Accept the promotion and put your own values in place. Part of that involves coaching your team to tune out the noise found in every workplace. This effort and step in your development probably more important to your career than any addition to your CV...

 

Mr. Lucky

[Rayce]

I agree with the others. Stick it out and learn from it. Office politics are just like schoolyard drama. IMO You will find that type of toxicity in just about every big corporation so it's best to learn healthy strategies to deal with it. One thing that helped me to manage a toxic work environment was to organize a walking group for my breaks. Going out to lunch everyday when I could afford it. Good luck! Wishing you success!