I am currently in quite an issue at work, and I’m looking for advice really.
We have had a new receptionist start, who is significantly older than me (sharing as I think this is part of the issue!) I’m in my 30s and they’re in their 60s. I think they don’t like receiving instructions from someone younger than them and this is at least part of the problem.
Since they started there have been some issues, teething problems probably, such as scanning things wrong or booking appointments wrong etc etc. If I ever try to raise this (e.g. ‘just to let you know for next time appointments should be at this time’) she gets very snappy with me and make it a very tense atmosphere. They do not take this attitude with male counterparts, who are also younger but probably closer in age (around 50s), or the older female colleagues.
I have raised with my superior that these issues continue after I have mentioned to the person involved, as I find it very uncomfortable to offer these corrections directly due to the snappiness etc.
Since doing so, things have become even worse. More and more mistakes happening, that I feel uncomfortable to mention, and a huge atmosphere of snappy words or whispering to the other receptionist when I walk past etc. I have taken to fixing things myself or just doing the tasks myself in the first place, which doesn’t feel reasonable either.
I’m really struggling with the environment and it’s making me very anxious to go into work. I want to get on with everyone, but the mistakes do need addressing as I have to fix them otherwise and I honestly don’t have time.
At this stage I have purely reported the actual errors (when I have said something) and left any kind of comment/tone out of it.
would I be unreasonable to go to someone in the department and explain how I’m being made to feel?
I think it’s even worse as she is particularly rude if I see her on my own, or when she thinks no one else is there. It’s gotten to the point that I meet a friend outside of work to enter to go past so that nothing is said, which doesn’t really feel like a practical solution or something I should have to do.
any and all advice appreciated!