It is often difficult for a new candidate to join the workforce, especially if he is a fresher with no experience. After joining then it is a real challenge for him to adjust in a new place where there is blame culture at work.
Mostly an employer will not burden the new candidate hired initially with heavy work. But mistakes done by them will not be accepted and tolerated.
Sometimes they get targeted with getting blamed for the mistake not done by them, so therefore in such situation, an employee has to be very smart and should have the patience to tackle such situation with maturity. In this article, we discussed how to protect yourself from blame culture in the workplace.
What is Blame Culture:
Sometimes an employee who is working for a long time also becomes a target of getting blamed for everything for no reason. Lack of knowledge, Lack of confidence etc are the reasons of getting targeted for getting blamed for the mistake which is not even done by that employee. Office politics and gossips are also the main reasons for such occurrence in the office.
Here are some points that are given to improvise and tackle such situation with smartness and patience and how to overcome blame culture in your work area:
Blame Culture at Work:
It is always known and taught for every individual that they need to always take responsibility for the actions they commit and accept that they have done a mistake. But unfortunately in the workplace, the concept of ‘blame culture‘ is far too common in most of the offices which lead to wastage of time, less productivity and bad feelings are created amongst the fellow employees.
There are many reasons due to which a blame culture arises in the office and it can be fixed by managing them properly and by efficient thinking. Here are some of the reasons.
1. Arguments:
Arguments in the workplace mainly arises due to the responsibilities that are given to others. If there is an argument or discussion in the office towards which individual has been given the responsibility for certain tasks to employees at the same level, a blame culture could come into existence in the workplace.
Employees are always fighting for getting responsibility as most of them have a selfish attitude and deny working together as a single unit towards attaining a common objective.
2. E-mails sent to managers:
Whenever there are signs of a healthy workplace it is because all the employees are working together and are discussing among themselves, how they can improve the quality of work without mentioning any negative qualities to their superiors.
But at times in negative workplaces, certain employees send emails to their superiors which are done in private so as to complain about their own fellow employees which sound an indication of blame culture in the workplace.
3. Blaming of Mistakes by Employees:
Often in the workplace where negativity is filled around, a weak individual is always targeted by the other individuals so as to blame any or take the fall for anything bad that happens in the firm which is not a good attitude towards that fellow employee. As also sometimes there isn’t any analysis done on the situation in front, the manager also just goes along with it and makes an example out of it in front of all the people.
So in the workplace, if such a situation is identified by the manager, the ability to work together in unity should be encouraged by the manager rather than division among the employees. The manager should also take responsibility for any action committed by them.
The manager must lead by example rather than blaming someone else which shows true leadership skills. The manager should think outside the box to solve such problems and also build employee relationships among one another.
Boss Blaming the Employees for his Mistakes:
It is often seen in many offices that there are some mistakes committed by the boss, these mistakes are hidden and covered by the boss and the blame is put on the employees. If such a situation arises and the person wishes to battle the boss it is always very risky which may lead to losing the job.
So at this moment it necessary for the employee to not let the emotions and pride get in the way and not even cause any problem for their future in the company.
1. When one should take the blame:
It depends on how the current situation the office is at the moment and how low the stakes are in favor of the employee. If they are low, then the best way would be to accept the blame even though no part of it involves the employee.
If the boss is acting in an irrational way towards the employee, then a means of protecting would be considered as a way of attacking the boss which may lead to losing the job.
If the employee accepts the blame, the boss may realize that control is with him and may look to find a solution to the problem and if the employee finds a good solution then it lays a good impression on the boss.
2. Career at Risk:
At times, the mistake done by the boss is so huge that if the employee accepts the blame for it, it could highly put their career at a great risk and they may also lose anyway to legally fight for it and so it isn’t advisable to accept the blame and take the guilt. But it also should be kept in mind that the employee shouldn’t blame or point a finger at the boss as the boss may react in a very different way.
Instead, gather all the facts, come to know the feelings that the boss is giving a move towards finding and appropriate solution. Also, ask the boss and employees help so that they realize the quality of teamwork but eventually the employee isn’t accepting the blame in this situation.
3. Coping Up:
There is always a feeling among the employees if they know the nature of the boss is always blaming others for their mistakes, they might be even willing to quit on some level. But it isn’t the right decision financially sometimes.
At this moment the employee should try to find similar interests as the boss such as looking towards the welfare of the company and focusing on the goal.
Talk to the boss about certain concerns, make the boss realize the value of the employee in the office and achieve certain accomplishments which are worthy of gaining recognition in the eyes of the boss and give the boss importance in the office.
4. Errors being pointed out:
The employee should always know that they shouldn’t point out any error to the boss directly, but it should be done in a diplomatic way. Don’t accuse the boss or point any finger at the boss.
But instead, stick to all the facts known and make the message known in an indirect way in the office. Ask the boss if the situation has been noticed or let him know that the employee wants to provide him some information regarding a certain situation.
At this moment the boss realizes that control is still in their hands. The main objective isn’t to catch the boss about the committed mistake but to provide a valid solution to him.
Being Unfairly Blamed at Work:
1. Targeted by the superiors and co-workers:
When a candidate applies for the job and if the co-workers don’t like that person for some reason or if the new candidate does a wonderful job it creates jealousy among the employees and the co-workers because of the praises that person is getting for the task delegated perfectly.
Therefore, the co-workers start blaming that particular employee and start de-motivating the enthusiastic and hard work nature in that candidate.
2. Racism:
All over the country, the government has made sure that the citizen of that particular doesn’t suffer the racism which is practiced by the racist. But even though the implementation of the new laws and awareness about racism the differences are still shown during work because of the color differences, cultural background and etc.
This leads to rage among the co-workers which result into blaming and harassment of the employee.
3. Jealousy:
The root of evil in such a situation is jealousy. If the co-workers can’t digest the success of that particular candidate who is doing excellent work so they start blaming that employee for no reason so that the reputation of the employee gets down day by day. The superiors also get into such influence sometimes and may also get involved in de-motivating that employee.
Blamed for other Mistakes at Work:
1. The co-workers who find themselves in trouble of the mistake they did because of the negligence and bad attitude often find ways to escape the situation by putting the blame on someone else instead of facing the situation and consequences. They basically are cowards who don’t have any guts to come front and rectify their mistake but instead find someone who will take the blame.
2. The co-worker when thinks of putting or dumping the blame on someone else they always find a person who is very innocent who won’t be bold to proof themselves that they are innocent. They are like hungry wolves waiting for the sheep to trap them and at last kill them at the end which also, in reality, occurs with humans.
3. The co-workers often do it because of the pressure and the fear of the superior and their boss. So with that, they don’t think much about other people and they think more of themselves such individuals are coward and have low self-integrity.
4. Therefore to overcome such situation the candidate should be self confident to make a reputation in the office so that even if that candidate is getting blamed for the mistake which is not done by him, the superiors will be ready to hear him out and give a chance to prove himself.
Surviving Workplace Mobbing or Bullying:
1. Be calm and patience:
When such situation occurs an individual is always needed to be positive over such situation. Challenges are what make a man strong and powerful. At a start, while joining the work it is better to be friendly with everyone and when the co-workers see the friendly quality they won’t try to put the blame and instead would help during difficulties.
2. Give all your best:
When the candidate gives the best performance during work it lays an impression on people that the candidate is a very hardworking and punctual worker so automatically the respect towards the candidate increases and then they won’t try to interfere the workflow.
Prioritize work and schedule the time in such a way that the co-workers and people present around should get impressed so that no one tries to point the finger on that candidate.
3. Treat everyone equally:
If the candidate treats others with no respect and talks rudely with the co-workers that candidate may find more enemies than the allies who can help in a difficult situation or during the need. Therefore it is advisable that the attitude towards other shouldn’t be partial and should be polite with everyone.
4. Helping Hand:
Helping co-workers will increase more respect among all the employees in the organization. During free time if offered someone help to complete the task may help in getting a future favor which will help in having allies and witnesses during a difficult situation in the office.
5. Always have a strong story:
During such situation, the candidate should have a strong story back up to show or proof innocence of mistake not done by the candidate but by one of his co-workers. If the story is good and strong it will be difficult for anyone to just blame anyone for no reason at all. Therefore, it is necessary to be ready in such situation and be self confident.
Such situation arises in every institution, organization, company or firm. The candidate should keep in mind the following points which explained earlier. The confidence, Punctuality, Politeness is an aid to creating a happy and healthy environment among the co-workers and employees.
Therefore the candidate should have leadership qualities so that the candidate can overcome this blame culture at work.
