Work Colleagues' Behaviour

[Princesspollyyy]

I started working at a new place just over a year ago and really love it. It's a really nice team of people and I feel I get on with everyone well. I have become close friends with two others, and we have been out a few times socially.

However, I have noticed that when my two new friends are working on the same day, they will quite often start bitching about our other colleagues. This has really disappointed me, as I didn't think they were like this. The things they are saying are petty and don't affect them or their work.

I get on with everyone that works there, and want to keep it that way. When my two friends start bitching, I just make an excuse and start doing something else so that I am not involved. It does make me wonder if they talk about me when I am not there.....

The whole point to my post is, am I unreasonable to feel disappointed in their behaviour? I thought I had made two lovely friends, but I don't like what they say about our other colleagues.

They're not lovely, are they? Obviously you stay out of it, but what's stopping you from telling them that you find it uncomfortable?

I should tell them, but I don’t want to isolate myself, as we are a small-ish team. Plus I don’t think it would go down too well if I told them that I find it uncomfortable when they bitch about others.

If they are talking about others, they are probably talking about you too. Just try and stay out of it if they get you to join in in the gossiping.

It is a tough situation but best not to get involved.

I don't think I'd want anything further to do with them, other than necessary communication. As you quite reasonably pointed out, you don't know what they're saying about you behind your back.