Agency dynamics

In an industry as collaborative as media, the dynamics of one's workplace can be the cause of great frustration or one of the most enjoyable parts of the job. Unfortunately, you can't choose your cubicle mate, nor your boss, but you can certainly work at making the best of the hand you were dealt. After all, you spend almost as much time with your co-workers as your family.

Media Life wants to know what you think. What's your pet peeve at work? When is it okay to speak up to a superior about a co-worker's bad habits? How would you describe your boss?

We will publish the results of the survey in the coming days.

1. How long have you worked at your agency?

How long have you worked at your agency? Less than one year

One to two years

Three to five years

Six to 10 years

11 to 15 years

16 to 20 years

20 years or more

2. I would describe my co-workers as:

I would describe my co-workers as: My constant companions. We go out together all the time.

My second family. We grate on each others' nerves occasionally, but in the end we're all on the same team.

A mild annoyance. Some of them are competent, but others I wonder how they ever got a job.

A source of never-ending pain and sorrow. They are clueless and I get stuck with their work.

People I give very little thought to one way or another.

Other (please specify)

3. My boss is:

My boss is: My mentor. I have learned so much from him/her.

A smart, competent person, though we have no strong personal bonds.

A prime example of failing upward.

The office suck-up.

A good person who has poor management skills.

Very capable but difficult to deal with.

Other (please specify)

4. Would you say that your department is one in which good work gets proper credit, or it is one of those places where it seems the wrong people are always claiming credit for the hard work of others?

Would you say that your department is one in which good work gets proper credit, or it is one of those places where it seems the wrong people are always claiming credit for the hard work of others? Management is very astute about knowing who's carrying the load and rewarding them for the good work they do.

Sometimes they get it right, but most of the time it seems random as to who they give raises to and promote.

The is an old boys' (or old girls') network here. If you're not part of the chosen few, you are not noticed.

5. Describe the management style at work in your department.

Describe the management style at work in your department. Nuts. We're just plain disorganized.

Informal in appearance, but structured. Efforts to instill creative thinking come off as stilted and insincere.

Highly structured and formal. Direction flows from top down, as do most of the ideas.

Loosey-goosey. Laid back, with no apparent hierarchy. People team up to get the job done. Ideas flow up, down, and every which direction.

6. Do you have a lot of conflict in the office?

Do you have a lot of conflict in the office? Nope. Everyone gets along just fine.

No more or less than any other office, I imagine. We agree to disagree and usually end things amicably.

Yep. We can't even agree on where to order lunch.

Other (please specify)

7. Say you are working on a collaborative project with several other people in the office. One team member is not pulling his weight. What do you do?

Say you are working on a collaborative project with several other people in the office. One team member is not pulling his weight. What do you do? Give the person a firm talking to and threaten to tell the boss if he does not shape up.

Ignore him. His laziness will catch up to him down the line.

Go straight to the boss. Lazybones should not get credit for your hard work.

Do not address the behavior directly, but spread embarrassing rumors about him behind his back. That should teach him.

Other

8. Say two people in the office are engaging in World War III, which is really sapping the morale of an already depleted staff. How do you handle it?

Say two people in the office are engaging in World War III, which is really sapping the morale of an already depleted staff. How do you handle it? Go straight to the boss. Be sure she is aware off their toddler-like behavior, then wash your hands of it.

Take them aside and berate them. They should know better.

Confront each of them separately and make it clear that your next step is going to management.

Do nothing. It is not your problem.

Other (please specify)

9. What is your pet peeve in the workplace? Do you ever see it getting fixed?

What is your pet peeve in the workplace? Do you ever see it getting fixed?

10. Do you have any questions for Media Life's career columnist, Rachel, about your workplace?

Do you have any questions for Media Life's career columnist, Rachel, about your workplace?