I work in manufacturing. I love the actual work that I do, it's hands on, different every day, satisfying, and I've gotten good at it. But I can't fucking stand the politics at work and all the company red tape.
My team consist of 10 guys with a lead and an middle manager. The guys I work with are all pretty great except for my lead and my boss.
My lead is a dick, a two-face, and in general, a really difficult person to work with. It's his way or the highway and he will gladly throw anyone else under the bus to get ahead. He also sucks up to management.
My boss is incompetent, lazy, and doesn't know anything about what we do, so much so in fact that the lead has to babysit her meetings all day. She is practically useless but got the job because of her connections.
The problem with this arriangement is that it is rather toxic to the rest of the team. Only the lead is allowed to train the newer employees and make certain decisions when problems arise, but he's never around because she drags him away to do her job, and then when he steps out of line and does something uncalled for, she doesn't address it and let's it slide because she relies on him.
I made a comment in a recent meeting sorta related to my leads lack of availability and I got the impression my boss didn't like it. HR was also there but I doubt they will do anything, two complaints were filed in the past about my leads temper and nothing was done.
I feel like trying to change the current system is a waste of time and potentially makes me a target for retaliation.
How do you guys deal with workplace politics?