Janey worked as an executive assistant to a product manager at her company: Ohio Connection. Overall, she loved her job; she was happy to work with a company that provided great benefits, and she and found enjoyment in her day-to-day work. She had the same product manager boss for years, but last year, her manager left Ohio Connection and retired. Recently her new manager has been treating her unfairly and showcasing bullying behavior.

Yesterday, Janey came into work, and her boss decided to use their power as her manager and her “superior” to demand that she stay late to cover for him, correct reports that he had made mistakes on, and would not pay her overtime. She was going to be late to pick up her son from soccer practice if she stayed late; she told him this, and he was not happy.

Over subsequent days, her boss consistently would make comments about her performance, even though she had always had good remarks on reviews, and created a very negative work environment. The next time she was asked to stay late, she complied for fear of losing her job or having other negative impacts on her job. Janey’s situation was not ideal, but she didn’t feel she had a choice.

Questions:

1. What type of power did Janey’s boss employ to get her to do the things that he wanted her to do?
2. What negative consequences are apparent in this situation and other situations where power is not balanced in the workplace?
3. What steps should Janey take do to counteract the power struggle that is occurring with her new manager?

Answer:

1. Janey's boss used his legitimate power over her to get her to do things that he wanted her to do. This power is used by people who are superior to others by the position they hold in the organization and thus keep a dictatorial behaviour towards their juniors and subordinates. He demanded things from her which were difficult for her to perform and then on her non-performance commented negatively.

2. The negative consequences of such situations where power is not balanced in the workplace can be many. It creates a negative environment as the people being suppressed by the wrong use of power tend to become unproductive gradually. With the undue force of having to do things they don't want to or facing negative comments, bullying and unfair behaviour from those in power on them, they start feeling street and unvalued. This makes them lose interest in work and thus underperform their job duties which they would be doing very well in normal situations. The person showing such power will not possess good leadership traits and without a good leader, the whole team of employees will lack direction and guidance of doing the right thing. It will become a barrier to the growth of employees personal and professional growth as well as the growth of the company.

3. To counteract the power struggle with her new manager, Janey will have deal with the situation boldly and patiently. She should handle the situation in a way that it does not effect her personal or professional life. She will have to communicate on face with the manager about the issues she is having from him as in such cases people can only follow a behaviour when they are not questioned about it. The manager should know how his legitimate behaviour is wrong and is effecting her performance and productivity adversely. She should be firm in the decisions she makes and way she acts to not allow him dictate the wrong terms on her. She should also be strong and patient not to react to the comments and bullies from him so that she is not blamed for an equally bad behaviour. She will have to be patient with him understanding his position in the organization is higher than hers and at the same time show her limits more than which he cannot pressurise her.