Should I say something?

[Prettypumpkin]

So 6m ago I started a new job, it's only temporary and my contract finishes March. I've got my 6m review tomorrow

I'm really not enjoying it, the work itself is okay, it's either crazy busy or dead which I do struggle with, I'd like it to be steadier but that's not the big issue

The issue i have is the people I work along side. There are various departments, all small just a few people in each in different rooms/office blocks. The women I work alongside are so bitchy. They speak awful about people and while I get that we all get gripes now and again they never speak nicely about the other people. I've not been there long and have no problems with anyone and dont join in. They can be hit and miss with me, sometimes nice other times I walk in and the conversation stops dead which makes me feel so awkward.

It's making me hate work, I've got bad anxiety from it. Which just sounds pathetic doesn't it. Theres no way I'd want to continue working there when I get to March. Should I tell the managers about this at my review or does it just make me sound bitchy? I'm reluctant because while I feel they should know obviously if a message gets relayed then they will know its come from me and I dont want an even worse atmosphere

What would you do?

The atmosphere will get worse if you say something.

If they stop the conversation dead, then chant a manta in your head to block feeling anxious. Something like 'you poor sad fucked up cunts' over and over.

If you say something, it should be in general terms, such as 'morale seems low in X department' rather than naming individuals.

Don't say you don't want to work there! This isn't just your six month review, this is the review at the end of your probation period. They may just ask you to leave.

Leave - and you should - but make sure you leave on your own timescale, not by surprise.

I had this at a job and didn't say anything, my manager noticed and took the girls into a meeting and has words. Everyone was crying as they were essentially being bully's. I appreciate we aren't going to be best friends with everyone we work with but they wouldn't even talk about work related stuff it was so miserable.
It did not solve anything though so I wouldn't say anythinf infact probably made it worse. I would start looking for another job

Thank you for the replies

I wont say anything, I just felt like I should because (sorry i didn't mention this in op) before I started someone from outside who has dealings with the business was shocked I was going to work there and told me that it's a viper nest. The managers are so lovely and I feel sorry that the reputation reflects badly on them

Tbh my husband and I have agreed if they give me any kind of get out tomorrow I'll take it. I'd rather push and finish properly but its given me so much stress

I wouldn't tell them that you don't want to carry on working there at the end of your contract, because you've no idea what could happen over the next six months.

However, I do think you could raise the issue of the culture of the office. A review is there for you talk about the positives but also to address anything you're finding difficult, and office culture is part of that. I would say what you said about the work coming in peaks and troughs rather than being steady and that you've been learning to adjust to that, and then I do think I would also say something like 'The atmosphere in the office generally has been something I've found quite different from previous jobs - there's a quite a lot of talking about other colleagues and letting off steam about them in a way that's sometimes a bit derogatory, and while I understand everyone needs to get things off their chest at stressful times, I do find that quite demoralising at times. I think the office culture is perhaps a bit different to what I'm used to.' You don't have to name anyone specifically at all.

This isn't just your six month review, this is the review at the end of your probation period.

Not necessarily - probation where I work is three months, not six.

By the way - I also worked somewhere a bit like this, and when I left I cited it as a reason for leaving in my exit interview. My boss at the time, who I'm still friends with, said she was really grateful that I did mention it because it made it easier for her to address the issue at a higher level.

I'm the same at my work, I just go in and get on with it. My colleagues are awful people. They're everything wrong with society in one room and I'm trapped with them for 40 hours a week, so you have my sympathies! It drains me.

I feel like I'd be being a bit pathetic resigning. Part of me thinks I should suck it up for 6m so I dont leave them in the shit. Its maternity cover and the woman on leave is definitely coming back so I'd feel bad if they had to hire and train someone for 4/5 months work. I'm also being silly and worrying about what people will think of me if I leave