Office attitudes

LegacyUser

I started a new job in April. I really like the work, the job itself is brilliant experience and very competitive to get into (process took almost 12 weeks, multiple interviews and tests etc), and I like my team (just 6 of us) and managers. I didn't post this in 'work problems' because I think the whole thing is having more of an effect on me 'personally' in my own life.

There's another group of people in the office (another team, 5 people) who are known for their 'attitude' about work (and life in general). I hate even admitting it but they are really dragging the job down for me, and I feel like I'm reaching the end of my tether with ignoring the comments and remarks. My team, their team and a third team of 3 people work unsociable hours so they are often the only people I see for nights at a time and I think this is part of why it's getting to me so much.

2 months ago I was asked to be a sort of 'go between' between my team and theirs basically either taking work from them that we can do, or passing work to them that we can't do. It's a whole ordeal whenever I have anything for them - today I passed something over just before the lunch break and was told 'come back after my hour off, I don't know why you're not aware but I'm going on break soon'. The whole team then sat in silence and started at me, and then all sniggered as I walked away with the report and said 'f'ing jog on' between themselves. The document only had to sit on the desk until after lunch if they didn't want to start it beforehand but it was handed back to me and the person turned away from facing me without looking at my face.

They will lie about their processes so that we will start their work for them, which ends up then being passed to their partner teams in different time zones at the end of the shift (basically so they don't have to do the work). Since I started just a few months ago they have had at least 4 meetings that I know about where they were given out to for slacking and attitude by managers. The first one I witnessed (my second day) ended up with one of the team members shouting at a manager and calling her obscene names, and the manager telling him to leave and not come back. The team member then roared back that they wouldn't be getting rid of him 'because of the way the company culture is' and he'd be straight back in.. he was right, he got a day off and was back like nothing had happened.

I feel stuck and I'm wary about being 'cheeky' or snarky back because I'm still 'new' and a few years younger than them all. I really feel like they push the newer people to just embarrass them or show authority.

I don't think there's any point in saying anything to a manager because they seem to let them off with everything, and I don't want to be a pot stirrer either, but the job is being ruined for me. I am making more money than I could ever dream of making anywhere else and money is VERY important to me for my family right now. At the same time I'm not particularly happy in this city and the things going on at work are just pushing me further and further to want to leave but I can't.

Basically I have a lot happening personally and am taking all the hours I can because extended family need the funds. It's horrible being so stressed about money at 23, but it's all I think about and there's nothing I can do to escape it right now. I just want to come to work and be able to brush it off/be left alone but it's getting harder to do. I know I've only given one example but hopefully people understand what I mean about constant commenting and remarks. I need to toughen up but don't know how.

BuboBubo

Seems like you work in an absolutely horrible environment. You're there since April and it's not getting any better...

Management team seems unprofessional and bully-ish. Get out, get another job and go! The rest of the staff don't seem happy either do they? Content and happy staff don't act in this way towards each other.

As you seem to be working as a "go between" for different sections - you're not going to be taken very seriously (unfortunately they are treating you like a go-for/boy-friday, which doesn't gain you any respect). Move on, chalk it down to experience, never look back.

Best of luck, there are better jobs - go get one!

Fakediamond

What a horrible crew! Something must have happened in the past to make them so bitter, or one person on that team is dictating the atmosphere for all of them and demanding loyalty. Tell your manager that you don’t want to be the go-between. I’d say they gave it to you as no-one else would do it which is not fair, given how toxic the work relationships are and you being the newest. If the company is unwilling to sort it out, you will have to leave, but only do it when you’re ready.

In the meantime, try and focus on your own goals, taking care of family etc.

Teyla Emmagan

deflated1234 wrote:

It's a whole ordeal whenever I have anything for them - today I passed something over just before the lunch break and was told 'come back after my hour off, I don't know why you're not aware but I'm going on break soon'. The whole team then sat in silence and started at me, and then all sniggered as I walked away with the report and said 'f'ing jog on' between themselves. The document only had to sit on the desk until after lunch if they didn't want to start it beforehand but it was handed back to me and the person turned away from facing me without looking at my face.

That's the absolute height of ignorance. It is hard to believe anyone in a professional working environment would behave like that. That person should be ashamed of themselves. They don't deserve a job.

You have got to speak to your manager and tell them you can't do this 'go between' role anymore. Ask them to appoint someone else. It is clearly not in your original job description so it's not what you signed up for. No one should be treated like that in work. Tell them you can't do it anymore and tell them why. Write it all down if necessary. The problem is for management to sort out, it's not on you to have to take the fall out of what is clearly a poor culture/management issue. That's a disgrace.

Wanderer2010

Ive seen this kind of culture before, it often starts with managers who used to be regular employees and when they are promoted they have trouble putting a line between them and their former buddies so they get away with bad attitudes, poor work ethics etc, or else the management are just wimps and cant deal with certain people, hence the toxic environment continues to destroy the place.

OP, get out of there, you cant change this culture, not a chance, it sounds like it would take years to change. There are lots of jobs around right now, stay in this one and keep interviewing then when you have something else, get out. Your mental health is much more important than lots of money, trust me.

splinter65

Get your cv out there first thing in the morning and look for something else.
There’s nothing that you can do to change the culture at work.
In the meantime just try to realize that these are people who don’t have the qualifications references or experience or are otherwise too stupid to actually leave this workplace that they despise so clearly and go somewhere less toxic.
I hope you do know that they are utterly miserable in that office too but you are young enough and fresh enough to actually escape and they are not.
Try to view them with pity for that alone rather then fear and resentment and it might make your work life a bit easier while you wait for the next job opportunity.

dellas1979

Just to throw something else in there, that could stand to you in time.

You could reframe this as 1. How not to be at work (their bad behaviour) and 2. How to deal with ****ty colleagues (there, and believe me they are everywhere).

Am not going to say "toughen up" - noone should have to do that. Snarky will not help you either, as I am sure this is not who you want to be in a work place. Humour/cheekiness can help (depends how comfortable you are).

Its a reflection on each one of them how they are.

What I suggest you do is not go down to their level. Take pride in this. If someone make a ****ty comment, reply should be as you'd talk to someone you like "Ok, Thanks-see you later!" Stay your nice self. That's all youve contol over (not their behaviour). You'll soon not even hear what's being said. I bet at some stage you'll even have a giggle at how ridiculous some of these ejits are.

BrokenArrows

Sounds like management need a kick in the ass and to stop being push overs.

I couldnt imagine a staff member abusing a manager and being allowed to stay nevermind just given 1 day off work and immediately back. That would be classified as gross misconduct.