Lonely at work

[Towoowoo]

I've been moved into a virtual team with people from all over the country doing specialist work. They are friendly enough but only work talk allowed iyswim. Unlikely to ever meet face to face.

I do a mix of WFH and office since the pandemic.

There has just been a big recruitment drive and I don't really know anyone in my office anymore. It's is very clique. I get given the side eye if I try to get involved in the conversation. The way the office is set up also means I have to sit by myself on a block of desks.

So I either sit at home talking to no one but the hamster or I sit in the office feeling excluded. I took in cakes last week which is normally popular but no one ate them despite my prompting and I felt stupid.

I find it hard to make friends or make small talk especially when I don't even have work talk as an icebreaker.

I had to be supported to get a qualification for my new role so I can't just ask to change teams again. I don't want to get a new job because this one fits in with my life.

I also hate the actual job but I could deal with that if I wasn't so lonely and feeling isolated.

No point to this. Just feeling deflated again after an office day today.

I feel the same. WFH mostly but wonder what the point is in me being in the office on the days I'm due in. The seating plan means I'm sat away from the team, everyone is clique-y anyway.. I tried to say good morning to someone on the team a while ago and he ignored me! It's a shame because I like my job.
Even my manager doesn't really want anything to do with me. It would be nice to get some feedback on my work at least, I don't mind not being his best mate.
It's crap.

I'm sorry you're having a tough time @Namechangerr1 .

The funny thing is, WFH only started during the pandemic and I was moved into an emergency response team then (isn't as dramatic as it sounds!). The team were all purely WFH and never met face to face but I really enjoyed that team. That team was disbanded which is why I ended up in my current team. No one from that team wants to come into the office to join me though! 🤣

I'm leaving a job precisely because of this. No one talks to me, even when we have online meetings, no one puts their camera on so I'm just talking into a void. My boss never puts her camera on. We have a team meeting once a month which lasts for 15 mins (team of 11). I just feel so isolated and disjointed. I was approached by a company a few weeks back and have just accepted a job there. Am hoping for better culture this time!!

It seems such a shame to have to leave just because of the environment (I like my job) but I think it's what I'm going to have to do. I'll also likely have to take a pay cut. It's horrible being lonely at work.. (I'm also lonely outside of work so it's not great!)

I wouldn't like this. If talk you your kind manager and get them to introduce you. If it doesn't get better I'd leave.

Can't give any advice except to start job hunting. I am shocked tbh. In my last role we were all over the country but had team meetings three times a week, a social chat on Teams, and regular virtual get together. Started new role in May, mix of office and home & there's constant online chatter and calls, they do lots for wellbeing. Don't worry about them paying for the qualification, plenty of companies getting it right, you deserve better. I'm a line manager and would be so upset if any of my staff or colleagues felt isolated.