Bad buzz at work

LegacyUser

Hi there,

I recently got my first office job - my field, well paid with both HR and head of dept saying the position I have is more than likely to grow. I am not an expert on the work I do and I feel like I am annoying my direct line manager by asking him really silly questions. I am also working on a project that I just cannot get my head around - I've had a one-on-one with my manager about it and even had a training day but for the life of me have no idea what I'm doing...

I also noticed that my area in the office is a bit of a bitchy area. Everyone seems to roll their eyes anytime anyone leaves their corner... I've heard comments from my manager and head of dept about other employees about their quality of work and eagerness to get stuck in (which they see as sucking up). I don't comment on any of it and refuse to (hate to think they're doing it about me behind my back so why give them more reason...). I also feel like I just can't get on with anyone (inside and out of my area). No one is making the effort to get to know me personally even though I try and have the small talk chats and go to their social events and just kinda can't get passed the initial 'where you from?' 'what exactly is your role?' 'do you like the job?' etc.

I'm only in my second month and I guess I should give it time... I'm not long out of college and just feel really stupid about things like how to ask for a day off for a wedding, asking about pensions, cycle to work etc. etc. It's just a bit daunting. I know HR is there for that, though... I've had jobs before but this is just fairly 'professional'??

I dunno, guess I'm not really looking for advice as such, just a bit unhappy!

Sarah

InReality

everybody has to start by asking questions so keep that in mind when you feel your asking them. + keep an eye out for one mate you could go for coffee/tea with.

IlmoNT4

ok you need to chill the beans here Sarah, your only in the place 2 months , it take time for people to get to know you. Dont try and force it, just head out with people for pints (if they go) and just let it happen naturally. People in offices arent really going to take the time out to get to know you and most people in offices have zero interest in getting to know you personally. I know that is going to sound harsh, but this is the world of work. You might make some friends but honestly, office friendships are just that..... once you move on, or they move on, you'll never cross paths again. Just one of those life lessons. Work is not like college....

Re the bitching....stay well away from this. Just go into work, do you job and try not to cross anyone. The bitching is unprofessional.

Its totally ok to ask things at the start of a new job, everyone, even older people with more experience ask questions when they start a new job. You dont know the culture or the procedures. Ask HR if they have an employee handbook. Otherwise put all your questions into an email or ask the HR person for an informal catch up so you can run through bike to work, booking time off, pay day etc etc....no biggie, thats what they are there for.

Your real problem is your project. It doesnt matter that you have had training. You are not annoying your direct manager. Its more professional to stick your hand up and say, I dont understand what I'm doing, can you please show me again or whatever....You direct manager is going to be more pissed with you if you pretend to know what you are doing. It takes confidence to say I dont get it, but thats what needs to happen. So what if you have had training....the training wasnt enough and its the responsibility of your direct manager to make sure you understand what you are suppose to be doing and he/she cannot do this, if you dont tell them.

Any manager worth their salt will totally understand that someone whos only been in the organisation for 2 months is going to need adjustment time and extra help and support. It take people usually about 6 months before they are full up to speed. You need to ask all the questions, keep asking them until you are clear.

Good luck

zuhuraswa

I totally agree with Lou.

I was just also like you on my first professional job. I felt like I was asking the simplest and most stupid stuff that I thought was general knowledge. It got to a point where I'd just not ask and I always felt like I had no clue what everyone was talking about all the time. It took just about six months for things to start clicking/me kind of even having a clue of what in the world I was doing!

I was also not socializing as much, as there were these already established 'cliques'. I went through a period of never really having friends/acquaintances at work. This remained the case throughout my whole employment there. Luckily it was a 9 month maternity cover. The job ended and I got a new job in a new town.

I thought it was time to learn from my experience and not repeat the same mistakes. With this new job, I was at least more familiar with the field, but still quite a novice in the grand scheme of things as its quite a broad field. I was also lucky this time too as I had a really great supervisor who never made me feel like I was asking silly questions. Anytime I felt I didn't know something, I tried and googled it first and if I still didn't get it, I just asked. Its better to ask once and be thought a fool than always wondering what the heck people are talking about all the time at meetings (learnt this the hard way!).

Also on the social front I realised that I don't have to be BFFs with work people, but it was definitely good to make some small chat (even when not reciprocated) just so you are not seen as a snob. I also realised these are just workmates and while some people meet and become great friends just from work, it might not be for everyone. And that's just fine too. However it is good to be polite and cordial (knowing how somebody's day is/weekend is/just general small talk). This also makes the work atmosphere easy to be in/to tolerate. Also yes, do keep away from the gossip/bad mouthing people at all cost!

Sorry for my long post, but your post quite reminded me of myself just 2 short years ago, so just hang on things will get better

Rubberchikken

Two months is nothing so go easy on yourself.
Be friendly, stay out of the bitching and ask questions when you need to.
You got the job so someone knows you're capable but you're still learning so hang in there.

Good luck

average hero

To be honest OP - you're doing everything right! The only stupid question is the one not asked. Any manager with any real leadership skills will appreciate your questions. You're not bitching - perfect. You're just settling into the job, give it time to adapt to the culture in an office environment, that company and those staff. In another 4 months time you'll be looking back smiling on this.

tenifan

Don't worry too much about not being good at the job. It's your first job so just keep your head down and gain experience. Be reliable and flexible but don't try too hard to impress.

There's no reason you should become best friends with your workmates, and from the sounds of it you're best to keep a professional distance. Small talk is fine. Make friends outside work.

Usually pensions don't kick in until after your probation. No rush but phone HR about it.
Cycle to work is usually advertised if your company is doing it. Once again, HR is your friend.
For a day off you'd usually ask the manager you report to.

Chattastrophe!

I'm the go-to person for all things HR/Finance/Payroll where I work, and I can honestly say I'd have absolutely no problem whatsoever with new employees coming to me with a massive list of questions. Sure how else are they ever going to figure it out? Procedures and policies are different in every organisation, I'd always prefer for them to come and ask me than just make assumptions about how things work.

Having said that, I always issue new employees with an Employee Handbook, annual leave sheets, etc, along with other documentation - if they failed to give you that sort of thing, then they obviously need to look at their induction process. So generally I find there aren't too many questions. But the thing is, it's not your fault that you weren't given this information, so it's completely acceptable and understandable for you to look for it.

I would advise you to go straight to HR with your questions, rather than asking fellow employees - firstly, it could come across as a bit annoying, if they happen to be busy at the time (and feel that it's not their job to tell you these things.) Secondly, you may well end up being unintentionally misinformed - better to get information, in e-mail/written format, straight from HR - rather than by word-of-mouth from colleagues.

As for any bitchiness or lack of personal interest in you ... it happens in lots of work environments, I'm not sure I really have any advice to offer to you, other than that you should continue to make an effort. Maybe it's somewhere with a high employee turnover, and they're not bothered getting to know you in case you're out the door again in a few weeks?

If I were you I'd keep at it for now, until you've been there long enough to get good experience and a decent reference. Don't be afraid to ask your manager work-related questions - that's what they're there for, if they're not comfortable with being asked questions, it's their failing, not yours. If the job is done badly or incorrectly, it reflects badly on you - so make sure you ask lots of questions, and make sure you know what you're supposed to be doing. If it comes to it, go to the manager above them, if you feel you're not getting the appropriate support from your manager.