To think that every workplace has office politics

[Damnthatonestakentoo]

Work is quite difficult at the moment. There are a couple of different managers who have given me directly contradictory orders. I've done my best to carry out orders but can't mention that there are contradictions as it would be seen as me being unsupportive towards the management. The last time I asked for a clarification on workplace procedure - following two contradictory orders - I was called into an emergency meeting (unfortunately no exaggeration) and told that they had serious doubts about my loyalty to the company and to my managers. I keep telling myself that workplace politics are part and parcel of every workplace and I need to just keep smiling and doing my job, but DH thinks it's a total nightmare. AIBU? Thanks

Total nightmare. Tell them shove their loyalty up their ridiculous arses.

To give a more helpful post (!) yes there are inevitably some politics in every workplace but when you're in a situation where you're being given contradictory instructions, you're trying to do your best and you're then hauled over the coals for getting clarification, it's a total lost cause.

I really wish I could on days like today!

Can you not speak to the two managers together and ask for clarification? Then if there is a difference of opinion it is between them directly instead of you getting caught in the cross fires.

At my place, there are 4 directors and each of them works in a totally different way - even down to how they file work on the company system. It took a while to work it out/negotiate when I first started here. Bonkers and inefficient but they are 'Directors' so they each think they are right.

You probably need physical proof of the contradictions, because you can then approach the relevant people and ask for clarification because you are confused. If it's there in black and white, there can be no argument, can there? Someone else will have to decide which way is the right way.
Otherwise you are just playing piggy-in-the-middle.

Thanks. There aren't many emails sent brtween colleagues as they want to create stronger interpersonal communication and a friendlier environment at work (oh the irony) but I will try to get something down in writing for the next time.

Sounds like how Hitler ran the Nazis

That is a comparison that's been made in the office in less guarded moments!

The whole situation is just ridiculous. I know it can't and won't get better. Rather than thinking that the grass is greener elsewhere though I'd like to be consoled by the idea that office politics are everywhere

Absolutely. I'd find another job if I were you, OP. I'm a manager myself and find myself in the inner circle, but I'm disgusted how my boss plays people like pawns and there is nothing much I can do about it. Office politics exists because people have different agendas and too much egos. Hence it is usually the Alphas who climb up the ladder stomping on everyone else. Please also learn to train people how to treat you. Dont let them treat you like shit. My boss favors aggressive divas and the hard working meek ones are overlooked. I'm not meek myself though I'm not a diva! and I have a feeling thats why I'm in his inner circle.

And yes always fight back with facts, facts and more facts. Even arsehole managements can't argue with you when presented with facts.

This sort of office politics is universal yes, about the only place I've not experienced it is in more working class type roles where people tend to have it out face to face. In an actual office though it's unavoidable

Ugh hideous OP. We've got loads of this going on at the moment. No advice as it drives me nuts but lots of sympathy.

Thank you! I really do need to stand up for myself more. The other day I was asked directly about a client response to a situation, I recounted exactly and dispassionately what the client had told me and then was very sharply told that I was wrong. I agreed that I must have been wrong; next time I won't. It'll either get me sacked or they'll back off.