TRYING TO LOOK BAD AT WORK - METHODS AND MOTIVES FOR MANAGING POOR IMPRESSIONS IN ORGANIZATIONS

Intentionally looking bad at work is a type of impression management i n which employees purposefully attempt to convey unfavorable impressio ns. Drawing on the employment experiences of 162 individuals, we docum ented five forms of such behavior: decreasing performance, not working to potential, withdrawal, displaying a bad attitude, and broadcasting limitations. Motives for managing poor impressions were also document ed. The management of poor impressions was discriminable from the mana gement of favorable impressions and self-handicapping. We provide a pr eliminary framework for understanding the management of poor impressio ns.