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 ?

This is stressing you during lockdown?
No not a troll at all

I'm not a teacher. Fairly even mix of men and women everywhere I've worked.

Some people are bitchy, some aren't. Bitchiness at work is unprofessional approach imo. Bitchiness at home unpleasant.

Yabu for making a sweeping generalisation about teachers and for underlying misogyny.

Interesting responses on here some relevant some clearly who cannot read and are making the post about sexism ?
So to clear up;
Never once suggested it was just one gender or age range bitching.
Not bashing teachers, just because I haven't said what I do,doesnt mean I'm not a teacher .
Didnt say all teachers are bitches , lazy or overpaid .
Not a troll or unaffected by lockdown.

I was just genuinely worried about whether this is just my experience or a lot of people have experienced it.

Depends entirely on the school and mix of staff in my experience.

My first school- couldn’t believe how childish and immature most of the staff were. The playground really rubbed off. It was definitely a reaction to the terrible, terrible management.

Next one- quite nice team, but a bit cliquey as a result of weak management and poor communication.

Current one- lovely people who have each other’s backs. Excellent management and communication.

Sensing a theme here??

Honestly, what did you expect? It's like that everywhere

I think it happens everywhere, not specifically in the teaching profession.

@managedmis clearly not judging by the varied responses I've received .

Like others have said I think it happens in all professions not just teaching.
It does depend alot on management I agree.

I find the office staff worse!
They have to deal with parents though, so maybe this is why? .. parents are very demanding and the front line is often the office staff rather than a teacher to start with.
Everyone is on the defensive these days and it can make things tricky plus so much red tape to do anything can't help either.

So you’re not a teacher then OP?

Ive seen more bullying and bitching in schools than any other places I've worked - I was really shocked when I first started working in education. The school I'm in currently is lovely, but I've seen absolutely shocking behaviour from adults in every other school I've worked in.

Not in my experience. I’ve been a secondary school teacher for 16 (or is it 17?) years, and I’ve found my colleagues to be supportive and generous.

It can be bitchy wherever you work. I used to work in a nursery with mostly young and all female staff and thought it could be quite bitchy. Then I moved in to retail and my gosh they were worse. Men, women, older, younger all of them so bitchy and in their own little groups.
So it's not limited to teaching and I'm sure not all teachers are like this. I have worked in some lovely places too, I've only noticed it in the last 2 jobs I've had.

It’s sadly human nature, happens in every sphere of humanity.
My suggestion is to try and represent yourself in a positive way.
Radiate warm and positive thoughts, don’t let negativity overwhelm you.
Focus on yourself .
I find you get back what you put out there often.

I think it’s partly perception though.

You expect teachers to be perfect Mary Sunshines because that’s the face they presented to you when you were a child at school. What with it being, you know, their actual jobs.

When you see them with their adult faces on its quite a surprise. They are actually quite normal but the clash of expectations and reality makes them seem terrible.

Do you know what, @Brownie79, this probably WASN’T the day to post this, actually.

And I have a feeling that if you really did work in a school, you’d know this.

Your perception of staff behaviour probably also depends on what role you play in the school I think. If you can relate to and with them then you'd maybe just let it pass over you as you would be aware of the behaviours they have to put up with.
Are you newly qualified? Support staff? Is this your first job?
In lockdown I would have thought you'd experience it less as not everyone is in at the same time at the moment

Yes, we’re all fucking vile and constantly bitch about each other behind closed doors. Ms Hopps from Science is always flirting with Mr Rigby from Maths. Slag.

You've chosen the wrong school. Most I've worked in are fabulous but like every workplace you can get clusters of bitchy people. I don't think it's anything to do with a school environment

Bitch is typically a derogatory term used to describe women. So yes, I assumed you were referring to women.

Congratulations, Brownie.
As if there aren't enough "teachers are awful" threads on MN at the moment, and you see fit to pick an argument about people who you probably haven't even in close contact with for nigh on 2 months.
Well done you.

I'm not sure why you think bitchiness in the workplace is more prevalent in schools. This happens absolutely everywhere. Just keep out of it and maintain your professionalism.

I still lived with my parents when I was in my first year of teaching. I came home and moaned about spending all day being hassled by Jane and Ellie who had fallen out and wanted me to mediate. "The girls in your Year 7 form?" my dad asked. No, it was the maths teacher and the DT teacher...
There are bitchy people in every environment, but I think it is worse in schools. Perhaps it is something to do with everyone being forced into the same rigid routine.