There’s a Hyena in My Office!

Have you ever been a target of aggressive behaviour in the office?

In every endeavour and especially the work place, there is at least one person who is often perceived as a threat to the career progression of their colleagues or the institution in general. This person may often be very intelligent, principled, organized, assertive, Union member, seeks to show a lot of career promise, affable, sometimes has strong personality presence, or worse yet, one who has victimization complex or low self esteem. This is usually NOT the boss!

These striking attributes suddenly irritate colleagues/bosses and they either get into unnecessary competition by desperately seeking to even out somewhat, initially dropping subtle hints of their discomfort with the target of victimization.

In the beginning the ‘prey’ may be quite unaware of these recurrent reprehensible behaviours like disrespect, unnecessary arguments, petty gossips and very soon becomes apparent and then gets worrying.

I worked in a non-Ghanaian insurance company where as a principle, I determined to practise my profession ethically and would NOT report or trade false figures. Incidentally my personal values sharply contrasted that of this firm’s and I suddenly became a threat who had to be dealt with.

This is the point where the hyena shows up.  A hyena is a carnivore. The hyena in my superiors will pick on me needlessly in every aggressive and offensive manner.  Here is what the CEO will do:

He makes an announcement in an antagonistic fashion as follows:

·         ‘It is an offense not to be part of the compulsory morning devotion which starts @ 7.15am. If you are not here by 7.05am you better not use the front door…’ (What happened to the labour law? Discrimination on religious grounds… what if I am not a Christian? - musing…

The CEO appeared to have connived with his colleague nationals in the firm, to bully other people, especially the assertive ones while he feebly looked on.

Other forms of Victimization

Relevant official information and documentation will be withheld so ‘preys’ are unable to execute their tasks.

Resources are unevenly and inequitably distributed in the workplace so that the ‘prey’ is sure not to get what is due them to be able to work efficiently.

There is obvious disregard for hierarchy and wanton display of power, to the point where the ‘prey’ gets frustrated and leaves the organization.

The CEO knows there is absolutely no basis to terminate the ‘prey’s’ appointment and so they bring out the hyena to terrorize and frustrate.

People, Victimization in the work place is illegal. The LABOUR ACT of Ghana, 2003, clearly and specifically abhors Victimization; and here is what it says in Part XVII Section 127:

Discrimination

127.  (1) A person who discriminates against any person with respect to the employment or conditions of employment--------- is guilty of unfair labour practice.

         (2)  A person who seeks by intimidation, dismissal, threat of dismissal, or by any kind of threat or by imposition of a penalty, or giving or offering to give a wage increase or any other favourable alteration of terms of employment, or by any other means, seeks to induce a worker to refrain from becoming or continuing to be a member or officer of a trade union is guilty of unfair labour practice.

Under no circumstance should you continue to be anguished on the job for no just cause.

Here is what you can do:

• Ensure foremost, that you are in no way engaged in any work place malfeasance - like ineptitude, disrespect, stealing, gossip and so forth. This way your hands stay clean to pursue your case and seek equitable redress.
• Petition the LABOUR COMMISSION to call your case for fair hearing.
• Keep documentation and a log of your official communication about the victimization practices and your possible attempt of grievance resolution at the workplace.
• Refrain from issuing empty threats like: ‘I will sue this company’; I will leave; I will report and so on.
• Stay focused on your job, difficult as it may be, under the circumstances.
• Stay calm and do not talk too much to implicate yourself.
• Be conscious of your environment, work station, working tools, who you send, what you eat and drink.
• Finally, for your own sanity, resign honourably.

Fascinatingly victimization often comes your way, when you are doing something right and colleagues are averse to your style and striking attributes. The hyena in them will want to diminish you so they can emerge.

Be careful. Do not play along. Strategize like the serpent. Be wise, but remain humble like the sheep.