Organizational Power and Politics Some employees believe that politics and power in the workplace are a game played by the company and management. However, games usually have rules to follow, a referee or judge, and an ending with a winner. Even if politics has a winner, this game never ends, the rules are always subject to change and there is no referee or spokesperson. Corporate traditions determine much of the biased political game that is played at the organizational level. Unfortunately, politics and power are a game that most employees in an organization must learn to play. Organizational Politics Part of organizational politics includes manipulating an individual to get other employees to perform or act as the manipulator desires. The other part of the organizational political game is negotiation, cooperation, or resistance to the manipulator (Clarke, 1990). Politics can help or hurt an employee, depending on their decision to play along. Employees must understand that politics is a game of power patterns combined with other power patterns. Some things are achieved by following organizational procedures, while others are achieved politically. Once employees recognize and accept that politics is everywhere and do not judge them, they can begin to work with them to advance their careers (Grimm, 2004). Political behaviors are activities that are not required as part of a formal employee activity. role in the organization. These behaviors influence, or attempt to influence, the distribution of advantages or disadvantages within the organization. Politics is a fact of life in all organizations. Politics will always be part of an organization, as long as people are involved. Organizational policies decrease job satisfaction, increase turnover, and reduce workforce productivity. Politics in the world of work can be anything from gender politics, to discrimination against women who have children, to the interaction between race and gender, to how a company treats its gay employees, just to name a few some. Lack of respect for one's colleagues is a very common effect of power and politics in an organization (Power and Politics, 2006). Organizational politics is something that most people recognize when they see it in action, but find difficult to define. Organizational politics can be a very competitive game. The stakes are high: if employees are successful, they may be able to keep their job or get the promotion they want. However, if the employee loses, the payment could be affected and he or she may seek a new job.