Horrible work situation

Lunni

I hope someone can give me some advice about a horrible situation at work.

Basically, I've been working at this place (an English language school - I'm a TEFL teacher) since last September and have never been happy there due to the colleagues. There are only 4 of us plus the boss and 2 of them are really bitter, b*tchy middle-aged women who complain about EVERYTHING. The gut feeling when I started was to leave and find another job, but the money was OK so I decided to stick it out despite the negative atmosphere.

It all came to a head on Friday when I realised I could no longer teach my Friday class. They are uncontrollable kids and I just couldn't take it anymore. I have a health issue and get tired easily and also because of this health issue, I need quite a few Fridays off anyway for hospital appointments. I told the boss I really didn't want to teach this class again - I put in a whole term's worth of effort and tears but nothing ever worked with them and I had to admit defeat. He took me seriously and today told me that he'd get another teacher in for the Friday class and that he'd dock my wages for that class. No problem, right?

Well, now all the other teachers are moaning that I have Friday off and they don't. I have been totally ostracised and the atmosphere is horrific. The implication is that I just wanted to be off on Fridays (I don't particularly!) and that I exaggerated how bad the class was to get out of it. I unfortunately took the bait this evening, after an entire day of jibes and comments, and told them that my days off are none of their business and that I thought it was extremely petty that they now all want this day off just because I have it (for a reason). There have been plenty of things that haven't been 'fair', such as me working more hours for the same pay, but I never said anything. I understand they want Friday off, but it's NOT my fault that they don't have it. It's not as if I took it off so I can go away every weekend. I'm sure I've totally blown it now by losing my temper, but is there any way this situation can be fixed? Or should I try to find a new job? The thought of going in every day and everyone being nasty makes me feel sick.

ABajaninCork

You've marked their cards. I'd leave it for now. If they continue with the nasty remarks, I'd take it up with my supervisor.

Meanwhile - find something else and LEAVE!!

Paranoid Mandroid

If they have a problem with it, that's their problem. If it was me, I'd speak to them individually and tell them the jibs are getting to you. Usually people that gang up like that and feed off each other, are cowards on their own.

Lunni

It's crap because I'm halfway through an academic year contract which runs until June. If I leave now, I get a crap reference/no reference. If I was going to leave, I should've done it sooner. The whole thing is so awful.

debabyjesus

Lunni wrote: »

It's crap because I'm halfway through an academic year contract which runs until June. If I leave now, I get a crap reference/no reference. If I was going to leave, I should've done it sooner. The whole thing is so awful.

Your health is worth more than some reference... Leave and quote medical reasons if you ever get asked about it in future interviews. If you were a good teacher they will have to give you a good reference even if you leave due to medical reasons

R.D. aka MR.D

Lunni wrote: »

It's crap because I'm halfway through an academic year contract which runs until June. If I leave now, I get a crap reference/no reference. If I was going to leave, I should've done it sooner. The whole thing is so awful.

Just go in and listen to music on headphones while doing your planning and teach your classes and do your best to ignore them.

If anyone makes a comment to you about getting Friday off then just tell them that you've had your wages cut too and then walk away or turn around to your desk and listen to your music.

Diziet

It's good that you stood up to them. It's a job, for money. They are not your friends. Just ignore them (ok, easier said than done but try), look for something else and leave at the end of the year, or before if a sufficiently good opportunity comes up.

It is hard to put it in perspective, because the daily unpleasantness is wearing. But think; what is the worst than can happen? They may get grumpy and throw some nasty comments around. They will not poison your coffee! Your boss seems to be supportive, so he/she is probably relieved you are still there!

Lunni

Thanks for the advice.

It's just so awful that I finally got rid of a horrible class, but now my life is 10 times worse and more stressful. I just can't believe how petty some 'adults' can be. I'm actually sitting here almost shaking with anger.

The truth is, if they had been that bothered about working on Fridays, they'd have told the boss by now. They're jealous and resentful that I had the balls to ask and now they want the same. It's all just so, so childish and petty. I mean, it's not as if I'm getting paid - I will be losing 100 euros a month on an already low paycheck!

midnight_train

Hi OP,

That sounds really hard - in all of my teaching experience, I've only worked at one place where the other teachers were like the colleagues you've described, and it really does make the job awful. I totally get that.

If you intend to stay at the job, I would speak to your boss again and explain the situation.

However - although I am not at all excusing what sounds like very unkind behaviour on your colleagues' part - it can be very difficult to work with a teacher who has persistent health problems and regularly takes off sick, because the rest of the staff have to cover. I'm not saying that to be unkind or unsympathetic, but I do think that people who tend to be sickly maybe are not best suited to teaching jobs where you have to be there every day (however, it sounds like you have taken this into account by not teaching on Fridays, esp if those are the days you have hospital appointments).

Sorry to hear about your trouble and I hope it is resolved soon.

Chucky the tree

Lunni wrote: »

Thanks for the advice.

It's just so awful that I finally got rid of a horrible class, but now my life is 10 times worse and more stressful. I just can't believe how petty some 'adults' can be. I'm actually sitting here almost shaking with anger.

The truth is, if they had been that bothered about working on Fridays, they'd have told the boss by now. They're jealous and resentful that I had the balls to ask and now they want the same. It's all just so, so childish and petty. I mean, it's not as if I'm getting paid - I will be losing 100 euros a month on an already low paycheck!

Everyone is bother about working fridays, most people are bothered about having to work everyday but suck it up because they have to do it. Maybe instead of being jealous and resentful they are more angry at having to cover for a colleague who can't do her job properly? Will the other teachers get paid extra for covering your class?

looksee

The OP has said that s/he will be losing money for not working Fridays and another teacher has been employed. The whole thing does not impact on the other teachers at all.

Lunni

looksee wrote: »

The OP has said that s/he will be losing money for not working Fridays and another teacher has been employed. The whole thing does not impact on the other teachers at all.

Exactly. That's the entire point. None of these teachers cover for me when I'm off, the boss gets another teacher in to do it. So it doesn't affect them in any way whatsoever. They just don't want me to have Fridays off when they don't.

As I said, it's not about me not wanting to 'work Fridays', which is how the other have taken it. This is what I find petty and mean. If this class were on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, I still would have asked to stop teaching it. I have explained this and they clearly don't believe me. They think I want Fridays off just to have Fridays off, because that's what they want. They know full well that I'll be in hospital on a lot of Fridays, but they still feel entitled to have it off as well to go on holiday. I've pointed out that hospital is not the same as a holiday but they don't get it. They're very selfish people, IMO.

CaraMay

Why do you get involved with them? Stay in your classroom during the day and avoid them like the plague if its upsetting you so much.

To be fair your boss has been more than accommodating as most would expect you are physically able to do the work if you take the job. Avoid them and don't get into any more petty arguments at work as its very unprofessional.

Dark Phoenix

Go in do your job and go home and just leave the rest of them to it. If they make any comments just tell them to go and discuss with the boss. After all as you have said - you are now earning less money due to being off Fridays so its not like you are doing less work for the same pay!

Who knows maybe there is another day they could have off instead. At the end of the day you had an issue and came to a compromise with your boss. if they have an issue its up to them to go and reach their own agreement

Lunni

CaraMay wrote: »

Why do you get involved with them? Stay in your classroom during the day and avoid them like the plague if its upsetting you so much.

To be fair your boss has been more than accommodating as most would expect you are physically able to do the work if you take the job. Avoid them and don't get into any more petty arguments at work as its very unprofessional.

I have to take the metro home with them, so I really can't help it. It's hard to avoid them as we work in a small village outside a city and we're the only ones on the platform/train into the city at that time. If it were a matter of avoiding them at work, none of this would be an issue.

I know my boss has been accommodating but I don't see what that has to do with my colleagues. He took me on knowing my health wasn't the best and has kept me on because I'm a good teacher. It's none of my colleagues' business how many days off I have - I'm not being paid for them and they're not covering for me.

It just seems unbelievably petty to me to equate sick leave with going off on a nice weekend away but perhaps it's just me. I've worked with people who needed loads of time off because of medical conditions and I've never begrudged them anything, I was just glad to be healthy (at the time) and not need the time off. In fairness, there's not really ANY career where taking days off to go to the hospital is fine. Teaching is the most flexible job for me because I can usually fit in my appointments in the mornings before work. I only need a whole day off every 8 weeks or so when I have to travel to a specialist hospital.

What am I supposed to do in fairness? Give up work and go on the dole for the rest of my life? I'm 27.

gugleguy

I was in a situation like that 12 years ago (although a co ordinator, not a teacher). When I was 28. I left without a reference. In a different role now, slightly different area - there is no teaching or co ordinating trainees however. I shall say no more.

Maura74

Say to your selfish co- workers that you would gladly change places with them on Fridays, if they have a way of transferring your ill health conditions to them in order for them Fridays off for hospital appointments.

Lunni

Got a fresh load of abuse today.

Apparently I'm rude and ignorant because I don't seek out my colleagues on the metro platform on the way to work (this platform is central and very busy) to sit next to them. They all know I study on the train and nobody has said anything until now.

Basically, they've all been talking about me and bitching about me since day one and now think I'M the rude one. Never mind asking me to my face why I don't sit next to them, no just assume the very worst.

Is this just what every job is like? People scrutinising you, talking you to find stuff out and running back to others to pick you apart, begrudging you for time off? Do I just not understand people?

I generally assume the best of people and potter along thinking everything is grand... what a nasty wake up call.

ABajaninCork

Oh just ignore them. You're probably getting underhand stick as you've marked their cards already. They don't dare say anything to your face now, so that's why they're switching tactics. They're just a bunch of bitter, sad sacks who obviously have no life.

Why on earth would you want to go and sit with such rude, nasty, ignorant people? I wouldn't even bother to validate their nonsense with a response. What you do, and where you sit on the train is your business, and yours alone.

Next one to actually SAY something to your face, (not that they will - they ain't that brave), tell them to fcuk off and mind their own business!

Lunni

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Oh just ignore them. You're probably getting underhand stick as you've marked their cards already. They don't dare say anything to your face now, so that's why they're switching tactics. They're just a bunch of bitter, sad sacks who obviously have no life.

Why on earth would you want to go and sit with such rude, nasty, ignorant people? I wouldn't even bother to validate their nonsense with a response. What you do, and where you sit on the train is your business, and yours alone.

Next one to actually SAY something to your face, (not that they will - they ain't that brave), tell them to fcuk off and mind their own business!

SO AWKWARD though, walking to the metro and having to keep twenty paces behind them, making a point of sitting at the other end of the train. This isn't how I wanted to live my life. I came here to Spain for a BETTER quality of life and less stress, not to have to put up with toxic individuals like these people.

To give you an idea, one of these women turned around to me the other day and told me she thought our boss was 'funny with children' because he'd smiled at one of the kids in the school! I mean, who the hell thinks it's OK to go around calling people paedophiles on a whim? And she thinks I'm the lunatic?

Maura74

Lunni wrote: »

SO AWKWARD though, walking to the metro and having to keep twenty paces behind them, making a point of sitting at the other end of the train. This isn't how I wanted to live my life. I came here to Spain for a BETTER quality of life and less stress, not to have to put up with toxic individuals like these people.

To give you an idea, one of these women turned around to me the other day and told me she thought our boss was 'funny with children' because he'd smiled at one of the kids in the school! I mean, who the hell thinks it's OK to go around calling people paedophiles on a whim? And she thinks I'm the lunatic?

You do not have to love people to work with them, just ignore them, they will soon get fed up and start on some one else. Concentrate on your work and forget about them. Do not let them take up anymore of your time.

Lunni

Maura74 wrote: »

You do not have to love people to work with them, just ignore them, they will soon get fed up and start on some one else. Concentrate on your work and forget about them. Do not let them take up anymore of your time.

I just don't see how to do that. I'm so shocked, hurt and appalled to be on the receiving end of such a torrent of abuse, almost all of it completely unwarranted. Something similar happened to me when I lived in Dublin and did an office job a few years back. I'm starting to think, is it me?

I consider myself a nice person, not overly friendly and in your face but always polite and pleasant, keep my head down, don't gossip, do the job..why is it so hard?

R.D. aka MR.D

Lunni wrote: »

I just don't see how to do that. I'm so shocked, hurt and appalled to be on the receiving end of such a torrent of abuse, almost all of it completely unwarranted. Something similar happened to me when I lived in Dublin and did an office job a few years back. I'm starting to think, is it me?

I consider myself a nice person, not overly friendly and in your face but always polite and pleasant, keep my head down, don't gossip, do the job..why is it so hard?

Unfortunately OP sometimes when people are just polite and keep their head down right from the beginning they can seem like they are not friendly.

Even if I am in a work place and I don't particularly like the people I will always make the effort to ask how they are and make the effort to ask follow up questions about stuff we had talked about previously. Coworkers are not friends BUT it is important to maintain a good working relationship.
As others have mentioned it may also be because they view you as not doing your job in the way that you should. As a teacher myself, nothing is more annoying than some one complaining that they cannot control a class.

You have to realise that you are getting special treatment from your boss. That rubs people up the wrong way especially if you have not made a big effort to get along with them.

The damage is done now and I only posted the above because you mentioned that you thought it might be you. I think you're already half way there if you can see that yes, it might be you and how you interact with people.

You don't HAVE to walk with them to the train. Why don't you stay in the office an extra 10mins to 'lesson plan'. Then you can get the train home alone.

CaraMay

Lunni wrote: »

I just don't see how to do that. I'm so shocked, hurt and appalled to be on the receiving end of such a torrent of abuse, almost all of it completely unwarranted.

What torrent of abuse?

Lunni

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

Unfortunately OP sometimes when people are just polite and keep their head down right from the beginning they can seem like they are not friendly.

Even if I am in a work place and I don't particularly like the people I will always make the effort to ask how they are and make the effort to ask follow up questions about stuff we had talked about previously. Coworkers are not friends BUT it is important to maintain a good working relationship.
As others have mentioned it may also be because they view you as not doing your job in the way that you should. As a teacher myself, nothing is more annoying than some one complaining that they cannot control a class.

You have to realise that you are getting special treatment from your boss. That rubs people up the wrong way especially if you have not made a big effort to get along with them.

The damage is done now and I only posted the above because you mentioned that you thought it might be you. I think you're already half way there if you can see that yes, it might be you and how you interact with people.

You don't HAVE to walk with them to the train. Why don't you stay in the office an extra 10mins to 'lesson plan'. Then you can get the train home alone.

Thanks for the alternative viewpoint, but I HAVE made a huge effort with them. Always offered to get coffee for everyone, always popped into the different classrooms to say hi during the breaks, offered to share my resources. I was in a difficult position because these 2 women have been negative and mean since the beginning. I could either get drawn into the bitching, which I did sometimes, or just ignore them and be seen as snotty.

Your point about controlling the class would be valid except for the fact that 2 other teachers have already given up classes that were uncontrollable. The kids here are very spoiled and don't respect us at all. Sometimes you can work through that and sometimes you just can't. The boss is well aware of this and has been very flexible about sorting it out. We sat down every week to go through solutions for my class - the final straw came last Friday when a student who had previously been excluded threw something at my face and caused an injury. The ONLY reason the colleagues are bothered is that this class happened to be on a Friday and they're all convinced I wanted Fridays off, because they do. Hand on heart, I've never been bothered about working on the Friday. It was only 2 hours anyway and my boyfriend works that day, so it's not as if I'd be going away for the weekend. No chance of them understanding that.

CaraMay wrote: »

What torrent of abuse?

Sorry, post didn't seem to have gone through. One of them was waiting for the metro when I got there and did me the 'favour' of explaining why she didn't like me. She thought I was rude because I didn't walk in with her (we get on different carriages - I prefer the back because it's not crowded and I study on the train and she seemed happy enough to do her own thing - who cares anyway???) I explained that I thought we were both grand with walking in at our own pace and that if she had an issue with it, I would have expected her to tell me before now, but she wouldn't let me speak. She accused me of 'twisting' things by saying this was a misunderstanding on both sides and insisting that I'm just rude. As if she's perfect and that's that.

She thinks I'm calculating and manipulative and that I engineered Friday off. No amount of saying otherwise was going to change her mind. She is just incapable of understanding anything from anyone else's point of view in general.

The best of all was when she said I was negative all the time and brought her down - as I said earlier, she's the most negative, moany person I've ever met and you get drawn into it. So when I did moan about something, she thought it was annoying but was oblivious to the fact she did the same and much worse. Completely oblivious. She's so bad that once I left her talking to my boyfriend at a pub (we ran into her randomly) while I popped out to sort something out and my boyfriend texted me saying 'please come back and rescue me, can't take it anymore'. He's the most easygoing guy in the world! He said she just talked at him over and over about the same subject for half an hour and hadn't asked him a thing about himself.

I just can't get over how little self-awareness this woman has. I actually think she is deluded and completely detached from reality. She said 'well one of us needs to see a psychiatrist', insinuating it's me! The concept of two people just not getting along doesn't seem to exist for her. She clearly hates me but has spent 3 months trying to be 'friends', while I've been civil to her and treated her like a colleague and no more.

I have issues understanding people and their games and office politics. I'm very straightforward. I don't pretend to be friends with people and bitch behind their backs. Life is too short for all that rubbish.

looksee

Hang on, take a breath Lunni, you say you are living in Spain and have just gone there. Presumably you are Irish? Are your colleagues Spanish or of mixed nationalities? You do realise that what Spanish people consider normal interaction might come across to you as aggression and abuse? You may be trying to 'read' them as an Irish person, and that is where the issue lies.

You are in a different country, you have to accept that there are different customs and practises, that does not make either of you 'right' or 'wrong', but you may have to adjust your ideas of what 'normal' interaction is.

Lunni

looksee wrote: »

Hang on, take a breath Lunni, you say you are living in Spain and have just gone there. Presumably you are Irish? Are your colleagues Spanish or of mixed nationalities? You do realise that what Spanish people consider normal interaction might come across to you as aggression and abuse? You may be trying to 'read' them as an Irish person, and that is where the issue lies.

You are in a different country, you have to accept that there are different customs and practises, that does not make either of you 'right' or 'wrong', but you may have to adjust your ideas of what 'normal' interaction is.

I'm part-Irish, part-Spanish, part-English and part various other things. My colleagues are all English. I don't have any problem interacting with Spanish people, I get along with them very well. The only Spanish people at work are the students and the receptionists and they're all lovely.

One of the issues I have with this woman is the way she treats Spanish people. It's like watching some sitcom - she shouts at them in English when they don't understand, moans that nobody can speak English in cafes and bars, complains about their manners and culture and hasn't learned more than about 3 words of Spanish since she got here. She's exactly the type of person the rest of us go out of our way to avoid. I've been in cafes with her and been embarrassed by the way she treats the staff, shouting and gesturing as if they're thick. They all think she's a lunatic but she just can't see it.

ABajaninCork

I've told you before. These people are Loony Tunes. Just carry on as you are...

ViveLaVie

Lunni,

Try to detach yourself from this entirely. I know it's hard but this colleague sounds bonkers and you won't do yourself any favours getting into argument with her. Switch off if she starts hassling you.

One of the reasons she may think you engineered getting Fridays off is possibly that she has no concept of the seriousness of your illness and thinks Friday is just another day for you. It's unfortunate but sometimes I find that certain people can be very dismissive of those with serious medical issues if it isn't obvious or visible.
If this is a reason for her attitude, it's her ignorance. Try not to take it to heart. You really don't need to add to your stress levels any further so try not to engage with this woman's behaviour as it will only end up hurting you even more.

Best of luck!

Lunni

They are loons but at the same time, I can't carry on like this until June. I can stay a bit late and get a later train, blank the colleagues, but it's no way to live when you've come somewhere to have a break from the stress. Perhaps I'm just a weak person, but right now, this is affecting my whole life. I'm thinking of quitting in the next month or so and getting by on private classes and concentrating on improving my Spanish. I don't want to lose my wage, nor lose my lovely students, but this is making me ill.

What do I tell the boss when I quit? That the atmosphere is too much? That I just have bad health?

looksee

OP, sorry I picked it up wrong. I think we have all had to deal with that kind of person, and it isn't easy. She does sound like an unpleasant specimen, and as a teacher, while most of my experiences were great, the odd one can really create a very unpleasant atmosphere just when you want to relax over lunch.

After all though, you spend most of the day with your students, and you could always take a book and sit on your own for lunch. I know its not ideal but you only have a few months, its really not a good idea to give up your job over her.

Really, none of what she thinks should concern you. She evidently is not entirely rational, and yet she is rational enough to hold down a job, so she has some social responsibilities. Feel free to get any train you like, if she approaches you to be obnoxious just don't engage. Read your book. If necessary tell her you find her attitude difficult to understand and you would rather not discuss it with her. If she is rude to you you are perfectly entitled to be short with her. You don't have to descend to her level of rudeness, but you can make it clear that you would rather choose your friends.

Don't give in and leave though. You cannot allow her to control your life decisions. Its not as though she is your boss and you have to engage with her, you don't. You don't even have to think about her. Do your own thing and keep control of your own life.

Lunni

It doesn't seem like a good idea to spend the rest of my time here in that situation, either. Something I forgot to mention is that I'll need to go back home for over a week for an operation around Easter. Obviously this is way less than ideal for the boss and me. I'm thinking of just not going back after that. There are things I can do from home - I want to start my own translation business and website for Skype English lessons...it would make me 1000 times happier to do that stuff, broke or not. I live with my boyfriend and he's happy to pay my share of the rent for 3 months rather than see me like this. In return, I'd do all the cleaning and cooking. The rent is cheap here and so is food.

My only concern from a selfish perspective would be the reference and from a not-selfish perspective, it's not very fair for my boss or my students. I'm sure I'm probably coming across as a nutter, but my health is my main concern and the recent death of my best friend has taught me that life is too short to be in a situation that makes you this unhappy. I could be working on my languages, building my website, building up translation clients, doing some private classes at home or I could be travelling an hour a day to this grim school with no windows, having to wait 15 minutes after class every day to walk to the metro alone at 10pm though a quiet village and putting up with some of the most horrific people I've ever met.

looksee

When you put it like that it does seem like a better decision!

Lunni

I took the advice given here and today went for the later metro home. Bit of a pain having to hang around, especially since they shut the school 5 mins after the end of class. Hanging around is really awkward. But it was so nice walking to the metro in peace, listening to my headphones and reading my Kindle on the way back. So nice. Not sure how to proceed from here. Keep taking the later metro or get the same one as the others and ignore them.

The thing that annoys me is they'll see this as me being a coward and me 'admitting' that I'm rude/a liar/calculating. I hate people having such a false impression of me. But I think you're all right - why should I care what they think? They're not nice people. I don't want them as friends.

I know I'm in the right here, but I need to work on dealing with people who are unreasonable/crazy/bitch/mean. I can't just avoid them forever...

looksee

No, out of sight, out of mind. They will find someone else to carp about.

Lunni

looksee wrote: »

No, out of sight, out of mind. They will find someone else to carp about.

There isn't anyone else...

Roisy7

Believe me people like them always do.

Stay strong Lunni, I don't see why you should be forced out of anything because of the projecting actions of a person like that.

Lunni

Roisy7 wrote: »

Believe me people like them always do.

Stay strong Lunni, I don't see why you should be forced out of anything because of the projecting actions of a person like that.

Projecting is the word. Everything she said to me, I was listening in disbelief, thinking 'that's what YOU do!'

I'll stay put for now, but feeling miserable about the whole situation. Why can't people just be NICE?

CaraMay

How much time do you need to spend with them each day?

Lunni

CaraMay wrote: »

How much time do you need to spend with them each day?

At work, almost no time. I can stay in my classroom as much as possible. It's the 15 minute walk to the metro and the 15 minute metro ride that make it difficult. I've been getting around that by getting the later train, but I can't do that forever.

Roisy7

Lunni wrote: »

Projecting is the word. Everything she said to me, I was listening in disbelief, thinking 'that's what YOU do!'

I'll stay put for now, but feeling miserable about the whole situation. Why can't people just be NICE?

I know Lunni, I remember your other thread and you seem like a really lovely person who's had it tough. I've had my brushes with people like this and there is no point wondering at their motivation, they just are. And you need to protect yourself and not wonder about them and waste your time thinking about them. Best explanation was in the Simpsons :pac:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoAiyUduyrY

Lunni wrote: »

At work, almost no time. I can stay in my classroom as much as possible. It's the 15 minute walk to the metro and the 15 minute metro ride that make it difficult. I've been getting around that by getting the later train, but I can't do that forever.

I'm the type of person who could be classified as anti-social on transport. For example in school we had the 53 seater bus and I was on my own by choice :pac: I always use buses, trains etc as an escape into my own little world, and I recommend you do the same. Load up an ipod with fantastic music, bring a book, mark homework, read a Kindle, just stay away from them. Don't get the later train. Why should you be the one to compromise? I often find that only the most persistent annoyances talk to you when you've earphones in. Music on, world off.

All the best Lunni

Lunni

Just an update: I've handed in my notice. I just don't want to work in such a toxic environment anymore. The salary from this month should cover my rent up until I leave Spain, so not too many worries there. I'm going to try to get into freelance writing -I guess what I can take from this experience is that life is too short to waste time putting up with people who make you feel like crap. Perhaps this was the push I needed to finally bite the bullet and give writing a go. If it doesn't work out, that's grand, but at least I'll have tried.

I'm sad that I'm going to have to leave some of my lovely kids, but deep down, I know I'm worth more than this. I'm going to need to work out how to deal with people like my colleagues, because they seem to be everywhere, but I'll make a separate thread about that in due course.