I wanted to ask what would be a good way to deal with favouritism at work?
I teach at a college , there is this male coworker. He was hardly given any classes or other work during the whole academic year. When me and another colleague tried to bring it up with a professor we were told that he is academically weak so for it’s better for competent teachers to teach the students. IMO this was a very lame excuse but since I did not have the option of switching jobs so I grudgingly continued.
Not only is that coworker poor academically, we recently found out he has a habit of going behind people’s backs and saying nasty things about them. Since, he has basically no real work to do he has plenty of time to make rounds of professors and dean’s offices and he wheedles them and gives them the impression that he is the most hardworking person around.
Now, it’s almost the end of academic year. Our college collects student feedback at the end of every year. Mine , I was told was good, his was so so, partly due to the fact that he didn’t teach much. So, if you are not teaching you might not get a good feedback but you don’t get a bad one either since you haven’t interacted much with the students for them to know you well enough. Our professor has to send his report about the number of hours each lecturer taught. Today, my professor told me that he was going to add extra hours to his work!!! I was shocked and angry. My professor has clearly been favouring him all year but to do something in black and white was beyond me. Not only that he has also made some changes in the feedback reports to make his percentage higher.
What should I do now. The other coworker is leaving at the end of year and though she too, feels very angry at this whole business she says it’s no longer her problem. I, however do not have the option of changing jobs right now. I can’t go and talk to the dean because our professor is good friends with him.
I was in a similar situation you were in, although in a completely different field, but in essence the players were the same. I didn't have the option to really talk to HR cause I wasn't an employee but even than, there is only so much HR can do as well.
Try to switch departments or in your case professors?..not sure how your area works but their should be internal postings, I tried doing that but they denied me cause I was such an "amazing" worker, unfortunately amazing doesnt mean more pay/success at your job.
Than I just joined the club and played there political game. If you can't beat them, join them. I did less, didn't try as hard, just did the bare minimum to stay employed. While I tried looking for a new job. It took a good 2 years! to find one btw.
But your end goal has to be to look for a new position. Either at a different department or company. Cause things won't change!, unless major players go away, things to change and when I mean major players I mean the higher ups.
What should I do now. The other coworker is leaving at the end of year and though she too, feels very angry at this whole business she says it's no longer her problem. I, **however do not have the option of changing jobs right now. I can't go and talk to the dean because our professor is good friends with him. **What should I do?
You are a woman living in Pakistan (correct me if I'm wrong). You want to continue working at this job, the dean is good friends with the professor who is also your supervisor, and it doesn't sound like your position is a senior role.
You may be annoyed at the situation but right now, your professor is not doing anything to make YOUR job difficult. That could very easily change if you complain. Do you really want to put your own job and reputation at risk by complaining? Unless there is someone there who is on a higher level than the dean who you know for a fact will stand up for you, you really don't have a choice but to keep your mouth shut and continue to do your job, and get a new job as soon as possible.