I think most of us in the IT industry have encountered very challenging environments to work in (to put it diplomatically) and I myself have had my fair share without a doubt. However, it is my humble opinion that it is *never* acceptable to retaliate, take revenge, or damage the property of others, whether they are individuals or corporate entities, no matter what justifications there may well be in support of such actions. It is simply unacceptable behavior period.
I believe that there is still such things as personal work ethic and pride that should govern our decisions, actions, and words at work and sadly I feel that these attributes seem to be a rarity in today's work environment. Too many so called "professionals" insist on performing the absolute minimum to just barely meet their employment contract requirements so that they can draw a pay check. Too many of these "aggressionals" seem to take the position that the world owes them something; they seem to feel entitled to the "power" and the respect when in reality their own conduct rarely, if ever, shows the respect that they so crave to those around them. This "if I can't win I will make sure you won't either" approach is just so short sighted, unproductive, and destructive to all parties involved. I am very vocal about the common shortcomings and inadequacies of management in today's work environment also, so I am by no means biased to employers' points of view, but creating a stable, respectful, and productive working environment has to come from both sides and if the employee is not investing a willingness to create real value within that relationship then it does not matter that the employer is not either because it is already a lost cause - it takes two to tango, and the willingness to do so might as well start with you the employee.
If the situation cannot be amicably resolved through respectful communication and reason, then it is time to respectfully move on; not because you want a favorable reference for your next job, but because you are a professional and hold your conduct to a higher, personal standard than the rest of the stampeding masses out there. So I can only say to all the so called "professionals" out there: prove your professionalism in deed and not just in word, the embroidered cert badges on your bags, or the credentials at the end of your sig lines; show your value as an employee by how you deal with the tough stuff, and invest into work relationships by creating value. Simply demanding it from the ether and then throwing a tantrum, damaging property, stealing data, or whatever it is that you think you can do to "stick it to the man", if you don't get what you want says more about who you are as an individual than what it says about your employer's shortcomings and inadequacies, however real they may be.
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I think most of us in the IT industry have encountered very challenging environments to work in (to put it diplomatically) and I myself have had my fair share without a doubt. However, it is my humble opinion that it is *never* acceptable to retaliate, take revenge, or damage the property of others, whether they are individuals or corporate entities, no matter what justifications there may well be in support of such actions. It is simply unacceptable behavior period. I believe that there is still such things as personal work ethic and pride that should govern our decisions, actions, and words at work and sadly I feel that these attributes seem to be a rarity in today's work environment. Too many so called "professionals" insist on performing the absolute minimum to just barely meet their employment contract requirements so that they can draw a pay check. Too many of these "aggressionals" seem to take the position that the world owes them something; they seem to feel entitled to the "power" and the respect when in reality their own conduct rarely, if ever, shows the respect that they so crave to those around them. This "if I can't win I will make sure you won't either" approach is just so short sighted, unproductive, and destructive to all parties involved. I am very vocal about the common shortcomings and inadequacies of management in today's work environment also, so I am by no means biased to employers' points of view, but creating a stable, respectful, and productive working environment has to come from both sides and if the employee is not investing a willingness to create real value within that relationship then it does not matter that the employer is not either because it is already a lost cause - it takes two to tango, and the willingness to do so might as well start with you the employee. If the situation cannot be amicably resolved through respectful communication and reason, then it is time to respectfully move on; not because you want a favorable reference for your next job, but because you are a professional and hold your conduct to a higher, personal standard than the rest of the stampeding masses out there. So I can only say to all the so called "professionals" out there: prove your professionalism in deed and not just in word, the embroidered cert badges on your bags, or the credentials at the end of your sig lines; show your value as an employee by how you deal with the tough stuff, and invest into work relationships by creating value. Simply demanding it from the ether and then throwing a tantrum, damaging property, stealing data, or whatever it is that you think you can do to "stick it to the man", if you don't get what you want says more about who you are as an individual than what it says about your employer's shortcomings and inadequacies, however real they may be.