Unfortunately it's true; the squeaky wheel gets the grease. As it applies to the work environment, it seems that the person who complains the most, even if everybody else knows this person either does the worst or the least amount of work, gets their way and inordinate number of times. This tactic works because many of us learn from our childhood that if we badger our parents enough times will probably end up getting our way. And since many managers are also parents, and they tend to think of their employees as children, they treat them thusly, and therefore give in to these employees when what they should be doing is counseling them for their bad work performance.

This might seem like I'm generalizing, but that back for a minute and ask yourself this question; how often do you hear good workers complaining about anything? What you hear good workers do is offer suggestions on how to improve things. What you hear good workers do is complain about something not working that helps them get their job finished properly. You'd never hear a good worker complain or whine that they're not being treated fairly.

However, sometimes a good worker has to stand up for themselves. If they see that there are consistent changes in the department and every single one of them is the result of a complaint made by a bad worker, and those changes directly impact what good workers do, it's time to take a stand and say "I'm not going to take this anymore". At the same time, there are right ways and wrong ways of doing this sort of thing. Here are three right ways to take charge and protect yourself.

1. Write down your complaints. That will help you focus on exactly what your issue is with out sounding like a maniac. Being able to list specific sayings that have gotten on your nerves is to your benefit.

2. Document facts that prove your point. It doesn't do well to just go in and complain about something without being able to back it up with a result of something that happened. For instance, if you have a coworker who is always late, or always leaving early, but has complained that you are getting all the benefits, it wouldn't hurt to have some dates available. True, if you have a bad manager you're going to get that argument "why you paying attention to what someone else is doing." Your response should be "because it's affecting me and the work I'm trying to do."

3. When you present your information, do it without any emotional attachment whatsoever. Don't get angry or riled up while you're stating your case, because the reaction you'll probably get will be something like "you're just being emotional", and when that happens you've let the supervisor or manager off the hook from having to deal with the real issue.

When standing up for yourself, you have to stick to your guns and not waver from your point. And always be prepared to kick it up to the next level, letting management know you're going to do it. You might think that's a risky move, but it's probably one of the best moves you could ever make. Not only does the law protect you, but often it's the only way to let a manager know that you're serious about your complaint.