Does this happen everywhere in the teaching profession?

[Brownie79]

I work in a school and am fairly new to the profession.
As my time in school has progressed I've started to notice how bitchy most people are.
Everyone seems to be calling people who arent in their little group or in some cases people who are !
It makes me uncomfortable if I'm honest and I'm not sure how to best handle it .
It's already tough working in our profession at the moment, so don't want to make a fuss or fall out with anyone However dont want it to look like Im joining in either.
Has anyone been in a similar position ?

[TinnedPearsForPudding]

I agree that it sadly maybe a feature of predominantly female environments. Nursing can be the same

[StoorieHoose]

I'm the only female in an IT Team. The men can spend HOURS bitching about other staff. Not just females bitch and not just teachers.

[cheesecurdsandgravy]

[FrameByFrame]

Love the irony of a bitchy post about bitchiness!

[NameChange84]

I haven’t experienced it as “bitchiness”. Maybe some competition to get the best results or be the most liked teacher. We do sometimes let off steam about challenging pupils but not in a personal way (“Joe was driving me up the wall with his backchat today” rather than “Wtf is going on with Tiffany’s eyebrows? They look like slugs!”).


From what I gather, friends have often complained about “bitchiness” in offices and at times when I’ve considered quitting and getting an office job (I’m very skilled in IT) they’ve dissuaded me and said it can be extremely nasty.

I do have some colleagues that I see as having a bad attitude or personality issues but I just get on with my job and remain professional.

I had “bitchy” social circles of both sexes in my twenties that I distanced myself from. I think I learned the drama only worked when I engaged in it. I’d often say “oh please can we not be nasty about people?” and “I really don’t like bitchiness” etc and it didn’t help! If anything it just made me a target. I just let those little comments go over my head now, I don’t think they even register anymore! I’ve got so used to giving the blank expression and subject change I don’t even notice these days.

[flumposie]

Nope. 23 years of teaching over 4 schools and can't say I've experienced this. Not the best place or time for this thread .

[SweetPetrichor]

My parents were both teachers and bitching about colleagues didn't really happen, but about pupils and parents, yes...cause they are the source of most irritation. Less so for my dad cause he was a secondary school teacher and parents are less of a pain at that point but for my mum in primary teaching it was a constant nightmare.

[toastedcrumpetsforme]

Not my experience. I work with a lovely bunch of people. Of course I get on with some better than others (more in common etc), but I wouldn't describe any of them as bitchy.

The only unpleasantness that I have seen is from some rather stubborn members of staff (usually the very long serving) being awkward towards the senior leadership team. Occasionally this can be petty, but usually it's just professional disagreements about new approaches.

[Pomegranateseeds]

No, my experiences (in 3 different schools) have been mainly of caring, kind people. Of course in any workplace you get some bitchiness from certain people, but that is more about what humans are like...

[Lemonpancake]

Not in my experience either. I teach on an all female staff and honestly have never worked with a more lovely supportive group.

[SodaSloth]

Happens in my school and we all got told not to gossip by the head Teacher 😂😂😂😂 whoops.

[BiggerBoat1]

This is not my experience, but I suppose all workplaces differ.

Helpful post OP. Thanks

[nettie434]

I'm not a teacher and have never heard a staffroom conversation but I have worked for a long time and definitely agree that it's more about an individual workplace culture than teaching as a profession. What I would say is that the negative talk might be a bit like gallows humour in A&E departments. You have to maintain a professional profile in front of students and parents, so it can be tempting to let off steam when you can. I wonder what the head teacher is like. Being a good leader and role model makes a big difference.

[jellyfrizz]

The men can spend HOURS bitching about other staff.

Working from home has certainly opened my eyes as to what a bitch my husband is during the working day.

[jellyfrizz]

He's not a teacher btw.

[Frlrlrubert]

My school are is a very supportive work environment. There's sometimes an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with SLT because they're a bit slapdash, but generally we're nice about each other. I have one colleague in my department who is a bit of a 'mood hoover', one of those whose first reaction to everything is to find the negatives, but you get those in every profession.

I think like any workplace that separates people into small teams and constantly assesses their progress against each other, it can get a bit competitive which can bring about bitchiness, but I've not experienced it (only been a teacher 2 years) - now, my last career, the bitching was really something else.

The only colleague I have who 'bitches' about pupils is a TA. I find it really unprofessional to state a dislike of a pupil personally rather than comment on their behaviour professionally, and I think most teachers and TAs would agree.

DH used to do networks for schools and he says one of the ones he worked at was really bad for little in-groups and bitching. I do think it's more workplace culture than schools in general, though being around teenagers all day can make some adults regress a bit!

[PicsInRed]

It's not because they're women ffs.
Some of the most verbally vicious cunts in any office are men. The cruel things some of them say to each other.

[RubyViolet]

Maybe some self reflection is needed.
Look deep into yourself OP. Have an open heart, open mind and positive outlook. Start the day with a smile, sing a happy song.
Try to find positivity, it will radiate from you and reflect back at you.

[VashtaNerada]

Not experienced this at all! Very supportive atmosphere in my school. I think a lot comes down to the Head and the kind of place they want the school to be. I’ve worked in some nasty offices though and it’s horrible. Never worth staying somewhere that makes you feel bad.

[RufustheLanglovingreindeer]

The cruel things some of them say to each other. hmm

Thats bantz though

(I know its not bantz...nobody yell at me)

[echt]

I work in a school and am fairly new to the profession. As my time in school has progressed I've started to notice how bitchy most people are. Everyone seems to be calling people who arent in their little group or in some cases people who are !It makes me uncomfortable if I'm honest and I'm not sure how to best handle it .It's already tough working in our profession at the moment, so don't want to make a fuss or fall out with anyone However dont want it to look like Im joining in either.Has anyone been in a similar position ?

Teachers are vile. As any fule kno.

[Confusedbutheyho]

Stop bashing teachers and insinuating this.

[mineofuselessinformation]

[MrsPworkingmummy]

This has been a huge problem in every school I've worked in