Economy leaves some US workers stuck in bad jobs

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-27 14:58

A senior information technology analyst, who also did not want to be named, said his boss is "a workplace lawsuit waiting to happen." She flaunts employment laws and workplace rules and tries to impress superiors while berating the staff, he said.

"I was looking for another position before the recession hit and working on starting my own business, but that's been put on hold until things improve," he said. "When things do get better, I'm leaving as soon as I can."

A tight job market makes it worse, said Katherine Crowley, co-author of "Working for You Isn't Working for Me."

"One of the challenges of this climate is most employees, they're afraid to say no, they're afraid to set any kind of limits and they're afraid even to take vacation," she said.

Marc Hershon, co-author of "I Hate People: Kick Loose from the Overbearing and Underhanded Jerks at Work and Get What You Want Out of Your Job," said his advice is "minimize contact."

'LESSEN THE ANGUISH'

"The less time you spend in a situation that's going to create the opportunity for friction, the better you are," he said. "The whole goal is to figure out how to be more productive and how to lessen the anguish."

Kusy and co-author Elizabeth Holloway suggest workplaces establish standards of behavior and promote models of civility to reach what they call "respectful engagement."

Even if job moves were easier, that is rarely an answer, said Elster, adding: "You're going to take it with you."

She and Crowley advocate ways to adjust expectations, find recognition from other sources and assume some control.

Find a mentor, join a support group or start to network "so that you are not focused on the boss but you're focused on yourself and your career," Elster said.

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