Is everyone out to get me?
I work with a group of guys around my age. We all seem to get along but certain topics they talk about gets really boring and I tend to walk away and work on my own or take breaks on my own. Since I have had a rough past with crappy friends and being back stabbed I feel like when I walk away from these guys they probably talk about me. 2 of the guys are cool but they seem to talk crap on a lot of people when there not around. They act like my friend but I feel like they are snakes in the grass. Deep down I kind of dread going to work because I feel like if I don't try to fit in and talk about politics all day then they will turn against me. I love the job and hopefully I can ride it out till I can retire in 20 years or so. It's a life long career to me. And it's a life long job for most the people there. Any suggestions on my situation?
Hey there, go you for reaching out. It is great that you get to work along a group of people around your age and that you seem to get along overall, however it appears that there are some things that stick out to you.
It is important to remind ourselves that we dont have to get along all the time, but being respectful of each other is important. It seems that you have ground to believe that some of your co-workers talk about you when you are not there, how would you feel if this was true? How do you feel when they talk about other people? Do you have ground to believe that they will turn against you?
It is great that you have a job that you love. I hope that you can find a way to continue working and feel comfortable doing so.
@Frank88
Like you I also work in a toxic work environment and thought about leaving many times but sometimes waiting it out can definitely help. I can't give you advice but I can tell you what I did, I stuck it out and eventually things got better because a lot of times people don't have the energy to keep doing something for a very long time. If it got worse and didn't stop I probabaly would've left because staying in a toxic work environment is not worth it for a person's overall health and mental well being.
