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Stressful Working environment

I started at a new organizational unit in February. My colleagues there have a hard time opening up, and I was often left out of things — both my manager and a female colleague did this. I thought things would improve once a new colleague joined in March (the team was expanding), someone I already knew from before — let's call her GY. At first it was really good, even though the others stayed distant. Now it's July.

A few weeks ago I started noticing I'm being left out again. GY, the colleague I already knew, has become so close with one of the colleagues who was already there (let's call her N) that they even chat on Messenger outside of work. My manager (let's call her O) has also been acting strangely toward me.

For about 3 weeks now, when GY talks to the group, she looks at everyone except me. When she does talk to me, she avoids eye contact and uses an odd tone of voice. If GY, T (the 4th colleague), or O need help with something that falls under my responsibilities, they ask N to help — even though it's not her role. When I talk about things from home, like my dog, they don't react or pay attention. But when N arrives in the morning, they immediately ask about her dog. If someone asks a question, they ask N for her opinion. My opinion is never asked for. They don't wish me a good vacation when I go, and they don't ask how it was when I get back.

I feel like I'm constantly making mistakes, and that it's being talked about behind my back. This morning they barely greeted me when I came in, didn't even ask how I was. I asked if their vacation went well — my manager answered half-heartedly, and GY just muttered "It wasn't good." Then an hour later when N arrived, GY greeted her cheerfully, almost singing. O started telling N all kinds of things, including matters that fall under my job responsibilities.

While O was on vacation, something happened with one of my cases. GY, T, and N discussed it among themselves without asking me at all. I explained how it should be handled, but they didn't even listen — N said it was nonsense and not the right way to do it. In the end they decided to take it to the director because they disagreed with how we'd handled it before.

This morning I went to make coffee, and when I came back GY and O were talking but stopped and got vague as soon as I walked in. It wasn't about me — it was about a personal situation of O's that's uncomfortable for her. I don't need to know everything, and I don't even want to. But it really hurts that I'm left out of conversations, that they don't believe me, and that my opinion is never asked for. Even though they know what I used to do in my previous role, they still don't ask me to help with certain tasks — they'd rather go to the director. It's like I don't even cross their minds.

O recently had a birthday. We started organizing it, set the table, planned a surprise. Everyone finished their part before I did — I was last because I was washing my hands — but by the time I got there, GY, T, and N had already congratulated her. They didn't wait for me.

This morning I asked GY for some office supplies from the storage room. She asked me to send her an email about it later, and to also mention — kindly — the item she'd brought up for T the other day. I've now received what I asked for from her, and she gave some to N as well. Then just NOW she discussed with N that N should write her the email about this, including the item she'd given T the other day. She'd agreed on this exact same thing with me less than an hour earlier, yet now she's handling it with N instead.

Am I imagining this? Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? I'm devastated, because I didn't change jobs to end up in a much worse environment. I thought after a few months it would get better. Instead it's much worse. I'm heartbroken and don't know how to handle it. I can't just not notice these differences in behavior. On their better days they're kind, and I start to convince myself I'm being paranoid. But then something happens again and it all starts over.

What did I do that changed their behavior toward me? Was it that I don't agree with their political views? Was it that GY and I had a bad day a few weeks ago and vented our grievances to each other a bit more than usual, and after that she changed and turned completely in a different direction? I'm sad.

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User Profile: Amanda84
Amanda84 July 28th

@reservedAcai5282

😔

Keep being you 💛

Don't overdo analyse everything you've ever said.

Keep saying hello and being friendly and I hope in time they do the same and are more welcoming because it's not nice being excluded 😔💛

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2 replies
User Profile: reservedAcai5282
reservedAcai5282 OP July 28th

@Amanda84
Thank you very much for you kind words. It means a lot. 💛

1 reply
User Profile: Amanda84
Amanda84 July 28th

@reservedAcai5282

A pleasure 💜 

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@reservedAcai5282

You do a great job of self evaluation. For sure, differing political views can destroy any relationship. There are so many different listeners here for you. I think you will have a lot of new friends and conversations at 7 cups  to help you through this difficult situation. 

1 reply
User Profile: reservedAcai5282
reservedAcai5282 OP July 30th

@caringShoulder1357

Thank you for your kind words. I try not to get it to heart but sometimes it is hard. I try my best though. :) 

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@reservedAcai5282

I understand what you are going through.  It is a little different then my situation, but the pain of being excluded is the same.  I am not sure what you are going to be able to do about it, seems like you tried.  My situation involves coworkers that have become very clicky over the years and don't seem to realize it.  I tried to explain my point of view, but they don't or want to seem to understand my point of view.  It makes it uncomfortable for me to the point I am not able to work well.  I have the luxury of being able to work from home most of the week if I choose, so that helps.  I also have one coworker that agrees with me, and she feels the same, but has tougher skin then me.  If I am to continue to work there, I am going to request a new seat and or work from home the majority of the time.  I am still not back to normal yet, but am slowly getting there.  Hope you will find peace soon too.

4 replies
User Profile: reservedAcai5282
reservedAcai5282 OP July 30th

@impartialPlace428

I'm sorry to hear that. :( I understand your situation. It feels very sad and bitter to be excluded just because of different point of view.

It's okay that you don't have tougher skin — we're not all the same. But I don't think that's a weakness, I think it's more empathy toward others. I'm glad you have an ally you can share your thoughts with, someone who directly understands and feels the problem. That can mean so much, having someone to lean on sometimes. Unfortunately the person I had is now on the other side, so I can't really count on anyone anymore.

I'm glad you have a plan and can request a new seat or work from home. It surely helps a lot if you can work from home. Unfortunately I can't — there's no home office option here because HQ doesn't allow it, but I wish I could. I love being at home. I'm happy that your situation is improving and that you'll be able to step out of this negative environment.

My plan is to start my own business, and once that happens, I'll be able to leave office work behind for good. But that's still at least 2-3 years away, until it's viable enough to live off of. So I need to pull myself together and not take these "little things" personally, and let them go, so I can get through these next 2-3 years here. I am the one who needs to grow thicker skin now. :)

Thank you for writing, and I wish you all the best! 💛

3 replies

@reservedAcai5282

Through all of this, you can find the light at the end of the tunnel. You determination is so inspiring; you are a success story!

@reservedAcai5282

Thank you for the note.  I just want to point out in my case there was no point of view that was in disagreement.....I would invite them to events and they came, but when it was time to reciprocate I would be left out most of the time.  It didn't make any sense and it is so childish.  I almost don't think they meant anything mean by it, but that they are more clueless adults.  I pointed this out to them and all I would want is an apology of some kind, but I am still waiting.

I am so happy that you have a goal of starting your own business.  That is very exciting and should motivate you to do your best every day!  Just think of the future, be a kind person, and good things will come to you.  

1 reply
User Profile: reservedAcai5282
reservedAcai5282 OP August 25th

@impartialPlace428

Thank you for sharing what happened on your side too — I understand how confusing and unfair it can feel when you can't even tell whether it's intentional or just cluelessness. That uncertainty alone can be exhausting, maybe even harder to let go of than if the reason were clear.

Thank you also for the encouragement about my business — it means a lot. I'm trying to focus on the future, and you're right, kindness and persistence pay off in the long run, even if it's hard to keep that in mind right now.

I'm glad we could share our experiences with each other — it means a lot to know there are people who truly understand what I'm going through, not just imagine it.

I hope things get better for you soon, and that you finally get the acknowledgment you deserve. Take care of yourself! 💛

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I think work relationships are so hard but always remember you don’t have to be friends with your coworkers, some of my coworkers that i became really close to happened AFTER i left the job. But i feel like im a work setting having friends are hard because technically you all are each others ‘competition’ even if you don’t see it like that maybe they just see you as intimidating because you’re good at your job and personable and remember you’re new as well so you were brought in for a specific skill that they fill. So it’s hard and having friends at work definitely makes the time go by better but personally if you don’t think too much about the energy of the room and go about like nothing is wrong you may probably enjoy it more because you’re being your authentic self and not changing anything to benefit others 💛

i’m sorry this is happening but I KNOW it’ll get better it always does ✨

1 reply
User Profile: reservedAcai5282
reservedAcai5282 OP August 25th

@happyaccidents24

Thank you so much for this — honestly, the "intimidating" part never even crossed my mind until you said it. That's a completely different angle than I had considered.

And you're right, we don't HAVE to be friends. Obviously it's easier to get through the day when the relationship is good, since we're together 8 hours a day after all, but we don't HAVE to be friends. That's such a good perspective, and it's worth reconsidering how I look at things from here on.

Thank you for the kind words and encouragement — it means a lot. 💛

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