The term "manage up" is new to me but not the experience of working for a manager who treats those under them one way and treats those above them another way. I think what a lot of people don't seem to get is that you can't just go to HR and make a complaint about somone when the only concrete thing you have is your feelings. HR needs concrete examples. And even if they try to talk to other people about what they may have witnessed, there's a trend to down play and sadly blame the victirm because of the fear of retribution.
I imagine in Hollywood, it's probably even worse. Look at how many actresses get stuck with the "difficult" label, whether fairly or unfairly, it has a negative impact on their careers. Look at two so-called difficult actresses: Shannon Doherty and Katherine Heigl. While I am not a fan of either, it's hard to avoid how the press has referred to both of them as difficult. If you look at Heigl's wikipedia page, there's discussion about the two incidents that got her stuck with the label. Producers, directors and studios can punish actors and others by calling them difficult when they make allegations of inappropriate behaviour on a set. And being stuck with that label can often ruin a younger person's career. It goes from being between you, the boss and HR to being made public. Even the first reports about Ray Fisher came out, the studio was trying to label him in terms of being difficult.
And then add in social media, it makes it even worse. Not knowing the full story, fans tend to focus on what rumors/gossip we know and conflate it into something it's not.
It's becoming clearer and clearer that Whedon should not be in a position of a direct boss. Does that mean he should never be allowed to create something for TV Or film again? No, I don't think it does. DOes that mean he should never be allowed to produce or direct something? Not necessarily. I think what the larger picture is that Hollywood seems to be rife with situations that allow for toxic work places to grow and flourish and that perhaps the industry should review their processes to prevent it from happening. I find in too many industries, people are promoted to leadership roles but with no proper guidance on how to be an actual leader. Some people are great at it, while others aren't. I think that a huge part of the problem is that companies, regardless of the industry, are more willing to allow a toxic boss to continue as long as they produce results.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2021-02-28 06:36 pm (UTC)I imagine in Hollywood, it's probably even worse. Look at how many actresses get stuck with the "difficult" label, whether fairly or unfairly, it has a negative impact on their careers. Look at two so-called difficult actresses: Shannon Doherty and Katherine Heigl. While I am not a fan of either, it's hard to avoid how the press has referred to both of them as difficult. If you look at Heigl's wikipedia page, there's discussion about the two incidents that got her stuck with the label. Producers, directors and studios can punish actors and others by calling them difficult when they make allegations of inappropriate behaviour on a set. And being stuck with that label can often ruin a younger person's career. It goes from being between you, the boss and HR to being made public. Even the first reports about Ray Fisher came out, the studio was trying to label him in terms of being difficult.
And then add in social media, it makes it even worse. Not knowing the full story, fans tend to focus on what rumors/gossip we know and conflate it into something it's not.
It's becoming clearer and clearer that Whedon should not be in a position of a direct boss. Does that mean he should never be allowed to create something for TV Or film again? No, I don't think it does. DOes that mean he should never be allowed to produce or direct something? Not necessarily. I think what the larger picture is that Hollywood seems to be rife with situations that allow for toxic work places to grow and flourish and that perhaps the industry should review their processes to prevent it from happening. I find in too many industries, people are promoted to leadership roles but with no proper guidance on how to be an actual leader. Some people are great at it, while others aren't. I think that a huge part of the problem is that companies, regardless of the industry, are more willing to allow a toxic boss to continue as long as they produce results.