AIBU most workplaces are awful?

[IWorkInDilbertsOffice]

Really fed up with work at the moment. I've been working for 20 years. In that time I've worked at several places, and apart from a few exceptions they have all been horrible places to work. Bitchy colleagues, bullies, psychopathic bosses, unfair practices etc. Aibu to think most workplaces are awful?

I'm not saying work should be constant fun and everyone has to be lovely all the time. I'm a good employee and get on well with people. I simply want to go to work, do a good job, maintain good working relationships with colleagues and go home. Talking to friends, a lot of them are also having similar problems at work,

Hopefully I'm being unreasonable and my experience is the exception. Rant over!

Four years ago, I would have agreed with you, OP. Boss was a sadistic bully with a nasty streak and horrible temper. I found another job and quit because my mental and physical health had deteriorated significantly since working for that man.

It’s been four years since I jumped off the Crazy Train and I’m healthy again. I haven’t needed to take a sick day. This company has many company functions and a great benefits package, and encourages a healthy work-life balance. My bosses and coworkers are so nice and NORMAL.

It’s like the Powers That Be figured I’d suffered enough and gave me a break and a great situation for once. I feel like I lucked out.

I don't think the OP is being unreasonable. Fate makes our bosses and work colleagues, choice makes our friends.

The team I work in is thankfully an exception to the generality. Not people I would ever call friends, but we are able to be pleasant, work together and get things done without causing each other more hassle and stress than the job naturally brings.

I think your experience at work depends on how you get along with your colleagues. I’ve had a job I hated due to a bitchy manager but the majority have been ok. I enjoy the job I have now and my colleagues are wonderful and my boss is considerate to everyone’s needs out of work (ie family, children).

As for working in general. If I didn’t need to do it for money I would prefer to stay home and work on getting novels published.

For those who believe I'm the problem, please could you advise on where I could be going wrong, taking into account the points I made in my OP about what I'm doing and not doing.

Noooo, I love my job and the ppl I work with are amazing!! We have a great laugh at lunch!! 😂🙌💕

Realised I didn't include those points in my OP, so:

I turn up on time or early
I don't take much time off sick, probably only a few days a year
I shower every day, wear deodorant and don't wear strong perfume, brush teeth, don't smoke etc etc
Get my work done, don't make many mistakes
Smartly dressed
Polite and friendly to colleagues
Don't bitch or moan
Don't drop people in it etc.

I'm not saying I'm Sandra Dee, but I'm not that bad.

That's really good to hear Youngandfree

I am working class but started as a trainee in a firmly middle class profession. I expected the people around me to be far 'better' than me but ......no. My two bosses used to punch each other in the face regularly.
I have worked in the same field for 40 years almost and I hadn't realised that that first experience was tame compared with what was to come. It has varied from the hilarious to the criminal and dangerous.

There are a couple of bad eggs, who bitch, they have made me paranoid in the past, but the office has been rearranged and so one of whom I have less to do with, and it is much better.

op - dont be paranoid, look for the best in people.

That sounds like a good outcome Eleanor. I think that would work in my current situation actually.

just try and do your job accurately, note anything that makes you feel paranoid, you may get bored with it!
find some friendships but realise they may not be real friends, just friendly colleagues

Dont give them any headspace op