The most visible exploitation in any organization is the exploitation of workers. A less visible, but equally destructive, exploitation is that practiced by workers.

I am not referring to stealing, whether in the form of unnecessary sick-leave, private calls, internet shopping, or taking home office supplies. I’m talking about those workers who stick to the letter, and ignore the spirit, of the contract between workers and management.

Strictly speaking, there is nothing wrong with doing exactly what the boss demands (a practice known as malicious compliance). Nor is there anything wrong with not reporting something important; nor with knowingly allowing something to go wrong; nor with swamping a boss, who wants to know everything, with details, documents and reports.

Obviously, there is nothing right about it, either, and it leaves me wondering who is really being exploited.

About the Author

James Henry McIntosh is a Chief Nonsense Officer. He advises executives on dealing with nonsense at work in the hope that this will make them, their teams and their organizations more effective. When this gets the better of him, he retreats to writing and public speaking until his confidence returns. He has been repeating this cycle for more than 20 years without seriously hurting anyone. Sign up for free newsletter on http://www.nonsenseatwork.com