New collegues are atrocious

[LittleMamaCleo]

My little one is six months old now. I went back to work a few months after he was born because my partner is a student (we're young parents) and I am the main earner. I left my job at a supermarket a couple of weeks ago because the shift patterns were impossible to cover with childcare.

I started work as a server at a chain restaurant two weeks ago. Everyone was nice through the hiring process and on my 1st shift. I'm entirely new to the industry so need lots of training (which I made clear at the interview?) And I think I'm making good progress and only a few technical errors (as the ordering system is computerised it takes a little getting used to.)

I love the work, and the tips are fab. I definitely want to do waitressing for a while. BUUT- my colleagues. Three prominent people in particular are being downright rude and disheartening. One of the ladies is third in command so its making me feel pretty trapped. She complained about me to the other staff and started malicious rumors after my very first shift (after telling me she was impressed with my attitude to my face) which I didn't find out about until a work night out last week. Whilst outside a club surrounded by other work people she called me a tosser and accused me of calling waitressing 'the lowest job ever' and insulting council housing!!!! And obviously no one believes me when I say that its not true.

Other colleagues having been blanking me and mocking me since. I really don't know what to do! One of the other managers spoke to me the following day and apologised on the companies behalf for her acting unprofessionally. But she hasn't actually personally acknowledged her behaviour as wrong. I literally went home crying after the incident. Some of the staff members are really really nice but this picking on me as the new person is making me dread talking to my colleagues incase it turns out they're gossiping about me too. I really want to excel in this position.

Has anyone else experienced this behaviour in a new job? What do you recommend I do? People have been laughing at me, spreading rumours and ignoring me and acting like I'm stupid. Any help welcome xxx

Yes and I reported her to HR. She left shortly after. You're in no position to take shit off anyone regardless of their position within the company

What sort of person working in a restaurant would denigrate waitressing? That's weird.

If I were you, I'd try to do the job as well as possible and avoid socialising with colleagues. Stay as long as you can to get some experience and look for a different job at another restaurant.

Agree, don't socialise with them, go in do your job, go home.

When people act like this, it usually comes down to old-fashioned jealousy.

Keep doing the job, get good at it (at least a couple more months), go and work somewhere slightly more upmarket/with better tips, and then just smile sweetly as you say goodbye.

And don't socialise with your current colleagues, that way you won't know if they're talking about you and therefore won't care.

Thank you guys. The allegedly insulting waitressing thing threw me the most cause I obviously want to waitress! I've told them all I've wanted to do it for a while so this reaction is really undermining my whole positive outlook on the new job!!!

I just hate that I'm now in a kind of grin and bare it- kind of mood at work rather than excitable about the new position.

I've just never ever had to deal with this kind of thing??!? I have had unfriendly coworkers once in the past but a) it wasn't a job I liked at all anyway it was a stopgap and b) no one actually outright told me they didn't like me/ insulted me on a personal level!!!

Its just making me so sad because it's the kind of business I'd like to work my way up in.

I have no idea why there is an attitude in Britain that front of house staff are lowest of the low. It's such an important job - if I'm spending my hard-earned money eating out, I want to have a pleasant, friendly and knowledgeable person serving my food.

Did you watch the series "Service" with Michel Roux - it showed just how important the job is, and what can be achieved by those who work hard and climb the career ladder.

She will have form for this kind of thing. Don't be too sure others believe what she's saying.
Service work is pretty dog eat dog IME. Lots of hierarchies and kitchen politics and it's always a lot of ego stuff. Really try to detach, come in, do your work, adopt a cheerful attitude and try to call people directly on it if they're being shitty. If you're not sure what you're supposed to be doing do keep asking until you get answers and can do your work. This should all settle down soon, I'm sorry you've had such a bad start especially with a little one at home! It isn't you, remember.