To be so sick of office politics?

[Sockstealer]

I've worked in offices my entire working life.

I've always found offices to be quite bitchy and petty environments to work in at times. I've often felt as though I was doing things that were a waste of time, because someone comes along sooner or later and changes everything.

It's always been who's sleeping with who, who's off sick all the time, who wants to windows open/closed, who takes too many fag breaks and so on.

But I've always just got in with it and always worked with people I could get on with.

But a while ago my department had a massive pointless reshuffle, I can't say too much as it would completely out me, but since then I've been utterly miserable.

The atmosphere in the office is horrible, there is so much two faced gossip, people moaning over the smell of people's food, fans, desk space. There is a lot of bullying which has resulted in people leaving.

Any complaints or suggestions about work are met with threats of being sent to a different department in another town.

I wish I'd sorted myself out with a better career while I had the chance, but now I feel stuck. I work locally and my hours fit in with school. I'm also pregnant so no hope of getting out of there anytime soon.

[MillionToOneChances]

it actually 'corrected' childminder to ^ that!

[mum9876]

The only solution is to get a skill. Then do it quietly from home.

There are downsides - you speak to nobody all day. But I've personally found it better on the whole.

[umbongoumbongo]

I'm so glad my morning job is just me and one other guy. I work in an entirely male dominated industry and it is so much easier and more fun than working with other women to be honest as although there is a bit of sexist banter sometimes there is no backstabbing or politics of co workers shagging each other!

[JoanHickson]

People are generally horrible because they are bored and unhappy. Find a happy and engaged office, school or whatever and the staff won't be nasty.

[GiddyUp99]

In my experience the men are worse, the constant battle of egos. I far prefer the women at work than the in fighting from the men. I have to work alot with these men and am one of only 3 women at a certain level, compared to dozens of men, and all 3 of us feel it.

[Notbythehaironmychinnychinchin]

GiddyUp99
In my experience the men are worse, the constant battle of egos

YY to that. The majority of the disciplinary/grievances I've handled regarding bullying have been men. Funnily enough, it's almost always men who are pushing themselves forwards to the staff panel too, arguing why they deserve a payrise (despite a company-wide pay freeze) and essentially taking individual credit for their team's performance.