Can commenting be bullying

[misssyevens]

I joined a new team on a fixed term contract. It's social services so the chance of my fixed term contract not being made permanent is practically nil. If I do a decent job I will be kept on. In the last 6 years not one fixed term contract has not been made permanent and my manager is in the process of evidencing the need for me to stay.

Yes when I'm introduced two team members always make a point of making it known I'm in a fixed term contract. 'This is xxxx she's on a fixed term contract until April'. Everyone else is permanent.

I eat a hot meal for lunch. Nothing special I just heat it up in the microwave. Every single day someone comments that I 'will eat anything'. When they were discussing what diets we are on they explained that 'xxxx has her own diet called eating all day and everything she feels like'.

It's too hot in the office so I put the fan on. The guy who is supposed to sit next to me has moved saying he's too cold sat next to me.

When they asked me how I got my job I explained I chose this position but was offered three positions at the time. To which I got the rely 'good for you'!

I don't drive too which I constantly get comments about 'you need to learn to drive as the role migjt chance and you may need to go on home visits' even though my manager has repeatedly told me there is no need for a car as we are office based.

I've lost 6 stone since I was a student and some of the people there knew me when I was fat. I explained that o used to be big and one of the guys said 'I was going to be polite and say you were never fat but you were'. I agree I was but it's just a bit of a rude comment.

The two managers really like me and have been nothing but welcoming. Some other team members have also been welcoming. They sit in the office downstairs. I've never had an issue at work before. IVE always been happy and made real lasting friends.

I don't know if it's just their form of banter or they don't know what to say to me so just say things to start a conversation.

I feel very uncomfortable and like I'm not accepted for who I am. Everything I do I feel is analysed. AIBU to feel a little bullied?

They sound like arseholes.

I wouldn't say banter as some of the comments (especially the ones about eating are pretty bitchy).

It could be a case of what new starters there go through but still shit nevertheless.

Sorry, I missed one paragraph out.

'I was going to be polite and say you were never fat but you were

I would have gone fucking APE SHIT at that, actually, that's grievance worthy.

They are not making those comments to everyone, they are making them to you. They are derogatory and designed to undermine you.
Yes that bullying and I'd say something. Management should deal with it.

I was going to be polite and say you were never fat but you were

I was going to be polite and say you're not a massivevdickhead but you are!

They sound really horrible and you sound straightforward and lovely. I would be having a convo with you line manager about climate of low-level bullying. I would address this in terms of 'I would really hope for my contract to be made permanent, but equally there is an issue that would need to be resolved before I could sign up to that'.

Congratulations on your weight loss and on being a generally fab person.

The managers like me. I wonder if that's why I'm getting it!

They sound obnoxious arseholes

I get you. It might be why. There will be a dignity at work policy if it's local authority. Your colleagues' comments are contravening it. They like you, you like the job, your managers need to deal with the bullying.

Thanks everyone.

They have been friendly in the sense that if I ask them for help they always offer it and offer me help anyway. In some ways they've been friendly, always asking how I am.

So the comments are coupled with the fact they've also been friendly. Makes me wonder if it's their banter but they're only saying the comments to me.