To hate working as part of a team

[evangeline1989]

I'm not an anti-social person. I'm quite extrovert actually and enjoy making and spending time with friends.

I'm a social worker. When I first qualified I had a job where we hot desked. I enjoyed that I could walk in for the day, grab a desk and get on with my work. I could work from home quite a bit and my manager was only in contact for monthly supervision. I booked annual leave, training sessions, meetings online. If I wanted to chat I could do so in the communal staff room and I could catch up with my work colleagues there.

I moved to be nearer family and got a new job. I actually much prefer the actual work in my new job. I have a passion for the role and enjoy the lower caseload and interaction with the clients I work with. However I have come to the conclusion that working as part of a team is not for me where you have a designated desk and a 9-5 at your desk culture. I seem to be unaware of a ridiculous number of unwritten rules of the office and end up doing the wrong thing. Nothing major but things like not knowing it's rude to make a drink for yourself and not offer anyone else one.

I hate making small talk, listening to people gossiping. The office politics. Having to check with my manager before I book annual leave, make day to day decisions, book training. I feel like I'm back at school!
I'm rather socially awkward as it is so I've no hope if I am stuck in one room with 10 people all day every day. I thought I enjoyed working as part of a team but I have realised that actually, I hate it. I much prefer working independently even if I am officially part of a team. I like a manager who is supportive but who does not oversee everything you do and I like being able to manage my own timetable and work flexible hours.

I've been on annual leave and I'm dreading going in. While I have always wanted to work in this field, I really cannot see myself working in a team like this.

AIBU to hate working as part of a team and prefer working independently? Give me an office in the back of my garden, all on my own and I'd be in heaven! Problem is you have to be sociable as otherwise you're quickly seen as not being a team player.

Anyone else the same and hates team/office working as much as me?

I don't think it's working in a team you don't like, it's the rules, which I can understand. Flexi time is so usual now that it must be difficult to go back to the old way afterwards. It's one of the reasons why I wouldn't go self-employed, because having to go back to having a boss afterwards would be too difficult.

The cup of tea thing is just something you get used to. People do things slightly differently in every office as well. Where I work now we all go to the kitchen together and have a chat. In another place, when I followed someone into the kitchen they reacted as if I'd followed them into the toilet.

I would hate hot desking though. I need to have my stuff in the drawers under my desk.

Most corporates are like that, it's getting worst over the years, it's hard to progress without social skills to be honest. People won't remember you for working your socks off for covering 2 persons job but the guy who order pizzas for free company lunch will be remembered because he made it a big deal. Communication is everything.

I agree with you. I would prefer it if someone just gave me a pile of work and a timescale to complete it, then I could work through it at my own pace.

I understand your gripes but I think it's the working in the office 9-5 that doesn't suit you.
I work in a team but we all work remotely , meet in office regularly for meetings but organise our own workload and meetings. I would also hate to work in the office 9-5.

I could have written your post. Different job & setting but I find having to check in with several other people before any decision can be made stifling.
I also don't want to socialise at work. YANBU

I would look for another job OP where you are autonomous .