d59KNYm

The Fifth Column
309
management. Read and understand these procedures carefully, and
weigh them against the abuse you have received. Some companies
have anonymous hotlines or tip lines that employees are encouraged
to call should they witness any illegal (such as stealing company
funds or lying on production records) or abusive behavior (such as
sexual harassment or bullying). Learn more about these options and
the proper way to take advantage of them should the need arise for
you to make a report.
Confidentiality is an important part of organizational life. But it
is important to understand that you may not be afforded confidentiality
should you complain about your boss or coworker. If you feel
threatened or fear retribution, you should make your report anonymously;
you can always come forward later if you choose. However,
keep in mind that some companies do not place much credence on
anonymous complaints, considering them rumors or hearsay; your
complaint may go unheard in these cases. Sometimes it takes multiple
complaints about the same boss to get any attention.
It is also important to understand that just because you complain,
the company need not take action, or the action they take may
not be what you expected. You should be prepared for the fact that
the company has put trust in the boss’s supervisory judgment. It will
take a lot to change this. If you are dealing with a psychopath, he or
she may be better entrenched than you think. Your complaint may
bring to the surface a history of your own poor performance or disloyalty,
as carefully and consistently created by your psychopathic
boss. You may end up losing your own job in the process.
6. LEAVE ON YOUR OWN TERMS
In the days of the psychological contract, employees expected to
have jobs for life, or at least until retirement. Times have changed
and so should your approach to employment. It is wise to always
have an up-to-date résumé, with a list of your completed projects,
achievements, and performance reviews on hand. It is your security