Office politics?

[susans]

Many times  PAs/Admins are trusted with confidential information others are not privy to. They are the eyes, ears and voice between staff and management. With all the this and more, do you think PAs and administrative professionals are more subject to office politics?   How do you handle staying out of office politics?

[gee4]

I think it all depends on your role and who you report to.

For example an employee in my company who reports to a first line manager was able to inform our CEO's PA yesterday about something she didn't know.

It really depends on the subject and if it affects you or not.  This piece of information directly affected the employee in question, but not the PA.  So as PA's we are only privy to information that has been communicated to us, either verbally, or in written format such as emails or letters which we may handle for our bosses.

In answer to the question, I don't think we are subject to office politics any more than anyone else.  

[raindance]

I stay out of office politics by simply refusing to participate in it.  I don't make my refusal obvious, but there is more than one way of conveying such a message.

I am EA to the CEO in my organization and as such am privy to all sorts of information, both from our staff and our Board of Directors.  I know that a good many people talk to me in confidence about a lot of things.  This may be because they want a "listening ear" or they want me to pass it on discreetly.  

I am not my boss's "eyes and ears", nor does she expect me to take on that role, and I wouldn't do it.  However, I do tell her things that I think she needs to know.  

My approach to my role is: to be friendly, courteous and helpful to everyone (but not a doormat), but not familiar with anyone.  

[gee4]

Rain,

For info, when I first started in my current role, I got the impression I was expected to be "eyes and ears", but to be honest, (regardless of the role) that is not in my nature.  I think it soon became apparent I was not that kind of person nor could be moulded into such.

I would rather be hired for the skills I have and for the job I can do, rather than being a mole.

[jennika]

I think I am the "eyes and ears" but not in a tattle tale way at all!   As for politics, the best way is to stay out.  Don't get involved, keep your business to your business.   I think if not careful EAs can dragged in or probed more often for information for others personal gain.  It can be a fine line but you just need to be careful and know what is your job, what are your limitations.

[itsme_calista]

I'm lucky in my office as it is just my boss (who is rarely in ) and me.  The other PA and her boss are currently moving offices.  There is another company (a customer of ours) based in this building as well and so I have very little opportunity to get involved in office politics.

My new boss isn't a gossip like my old boss, however the old boss, only told me stuff that he knew I wouldn't repeat or that I needed in order to do my job and pre-empt requests.

I do feel very isolated though as our head office is a long way from here.

[msmarieh]

I am certainly the eyes and ears for my boss and I don't apologize for being so. That doesn't mean I report back malicious baseless gossip. It does mean that I keep my boss in the loop on things he needs to know about - things that can affect the performance or morale of employees or the company. I consider that an important part of my job.

That said, I don't generally engage in office politics and I certainly know how to keep my mouth shut for what I hear.

Marie

[Atlanta Z3]

I work in a small office and we have personalities rather than politics.  Sometimes it's difficult to navigate, but most times everyone is professional.  My last company was all about politics and the SVPs positioning for the CEO position.  It was impossible not to be drawn in and usually quartered.  I am much happier in my current situation. As for keeping mum, I think it's a skill that comes with age and experience - and probably getting burned once or twice.

Raindance - you sound like one savvy admin - kudos to you!

[peaches2160]

My boss does expect me to be his eyes and ears.  However, I don't participate in the office grapevine.  As grandma always said, "a dog that brings a bone carries a bone".  However, when I do hear of something that will directly effect my boss, I let him know.  However, I am choosy about what I share since I hear alot and unless it can be validated, I don't commit it to memory.  People do confide in me and I tell them up front I will be happy to listen, but I can't share anything with you.  My group respects that.  I will offer opinions when it comes to "how would you handle this" type questions.

[jodith]

I try to strictly stay out of the office politics games, and I try not to work for a boss who plays the game.  Sometimes you get caught in the middle of it despite yourself.  When that happens, I generally brush off the resume and start job hunting.  Life is too short to be miserable at work.

However, being the eyes and ears of the boss isn't necessarily a matter of office politics.    Sometimes the boss is just too busy to hear what's going on in the front lines.  If I'm hearing things from the folks I work with that I think is important, I'm going to pass it on, especially if people have a great deal of concern about a particular topic.  It helps the boss address problems before gossip overtakes fact.  That's not office politics, that's just being a good admin.

Jodith

Edited by diamondlady on 28/02/08 01:02 PM.

[peaches2160]

I agree.  If an issue is talked about enough, there is a concern brewing which can result in a major employee relations/morale issue.  At least if the boss is aware, he can head it off.