Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Want to leave after first week! What do I do?!

21 replies

GreenBananaa · 16/03/2019 06:39

I started a new PT job this week and I'm finding it really awful.
No one has spoken a word to me for the 3 days I've been there. It seems their attitude to new people is to act like they are invisible.
I have tried breaking the ice and making conversation, or asking questions about the job but have just been met with one word answers or snappy remarks.
Management don't have time to catch up with me on the occasions I've tried so I don't really know who to talk to about it!
The atmosphere is unpleasant as well as all I have heard is bitching about other staff and management since I've started.
I also stated in interview that I am limited to how flexible I can be with my hours due to childcare and was told that's fine, I will start at a certain time and finish at a certain time but for the 3 days I've been there I have been an hour late in leaving every evening and have been told it's "tough" and "just the way it is".

I really am dreading going back next week. I'm looking for something else ASAP but I can't afford to not be in work so can't leave before I've found something new.
I'm really disappointed because on paper this job sounded great and like a good fit for me.

Don't really know what I wanted from this post, just needed to vent it all I think. Thanks for reading if you got this far!

OP posts:
Girlofgold · 16/03/2019 11:18

Who said "tough..."? The person who employed you or others? In this instance i would email the boss and reconfirm the working hours.

Ask a few people directly to go for lunch as you're new and don't know anyone.

And look for a new job.

Original poster
GreenBananaa · 16/03/2019 19:10

The management said it's tough and it's the way things work there.
I don't really feel like I can ask anyone to go for lunch with me as they are really not making themselves approachable. No one speaks to me in the staff room on lunch either.
I have spent today looking and applying for new jobs as I just don't think I can stick it out in such an unpleasant environment.

OP posts:
Whisky2014 · 16/03/2019 19:13

Stink it out. I have been in the same position and you just need to give it 3 months to really get a good idea of the work and the place. Every week you are there will get better.

Whisky2014 · 16/03/2019 19:17

Stick not Stink!

icannotremember · 16/03/2019 19:21

Leave as soon as you can. Look for another job. I've worked somewhere like that. I stayed because we desperately needed my income but it was terrible. In the time I was there 5 people left within a week of starting. Some workplaces and teams are just toxic and will grind you down if you don't escape asap.

Original poster
GreenBananaa · 16/03/2019 19:26

I would normally stick at it, I have worked in places before where the first few weeks have been hell but I've known if I push through it'll become tolerable but in this case it really doesn't feel like that. There doesn't seem to be even one person that is remotely friendly.
In the 3 days I've been there I've overheard about a high staff turn over, lots of people leaving due to the working late constantly and high work load. There are also another 2 people on their last week before moving on as well.
The only thing I'm concerned about is that I can't afford to just leave and wait until another job comes up. I can't afford to not work so I have to stick at it until I can find something else suitable.
I feel sick at the thought of going back there next week.

OP posts:
JaneEyre07 · 16/03/2019 19:29

Walk away.

If people can't show a little warmth and humanity to someone going through the stress of a new job, then they're never going to be decent.

Burlea · 16/03/2019 19:33

Look for another job asap. My Dil worked at a place buying and selling clothes etc. (Don't think I can name the company) No one spoke to her, you had to send an email for a cup of coffee. In the interview she was told her hours were 9-5 again like you for child care. But was expected to work till 6 as no one did part time. It will not get better. Leave

thesnapandfartisinfallible · 16/03/2019 19:33

Walk. This was me a year ago. It almost drove me to suicide. I'm not even exaggerating how close I came. No job is worth your mental health.

ooItsAoBeautifulDayNow · 18/03/2019 07:18

If it's the work itself I usually think best to stick it out as any new role is overwhelming for the first few months.

If it's the company culture though I would absolutely get out. It will only get worse and the longer you're there the more you'll feel you have to explain yourself and will put it off for ages.

I'd either be honest to an extent and say that you just don't feel it's the right fit for you. Or you could always say that your personal circumstances / family situation has changed and so you need to leave. It's true really - your circumstances have changed in that you're now miserable!

Good luck, I've been there and it's a horrid feeling getting the dread every evening about going in the next day.

I'd say get out!

lavenderhidcote · 18/03/2019 10:02

No surprise you are talking about a school, they can be incredibly toxic places to work in. Sorry you are going through this. I once got a jo in a school like this and lasted just one day!

Original poster
GreenBananaa · 18/03/2019 13:10

It's not the work itself, I really enjoy the work and that is what makes the day bearable, it's definitely the environment. I just don't want to waste my time in a hostile environment feeling miserable and dreading having to go there. That does nothing for my mental health or how I function outside of work.
I have gone with my gut feeling and am interviewing for a new job today.

OP posts:
funnystory · 18/03/2019 13:13

It happens sometimes and there's no point making yourself miserable by staying if you really don't think things will get better. Happened to me a number of years ago. It was truly awful and I handed in my notice after a week. Soon got something else which was so much better and was there for 10 years!

Original poster
GreenBananaa · 18/03/2019 13:17

I just don't understand why people behave like that sometimes! In all my previous jobs when a new person has started I've done my best to chat to them, be friendly and welcoming so they feel comfortable enough to ask for help etc.
Basically I follow the age old rule of treating others how you'd want to be treated. It's just a shame some people don't feel that way!!

OP posts:
Polarbearflavour · 18/03/2019 16:48

I’ve never had a new job that I disliked get better. I can always tell on the first day if it’s going to be okay or not.

shatteredandstressed · 18/03/2019 16:52

Same as polar bear. You know from the off whether it's a decent working environment.

JenniferJareau · 18/03/2019 16:55

What would happen do you think if you left on time and didn't stay late?

Singlenotsingle · 18/03/2019 16:57

Stink it out Whiskey! Grin

Walkingthedog46 · 18/03/2019 17:05

A friend knew in the first week that the job wasn’t for her. She took the bull by the horns and went to see the boss and said she wanted to leave. He was actually very understanding and said he was glad she had told him straight away rather than letting them train her up for weeks/months and then leave.

RussellSprout · 31/03/2019 21:12

I've left a job after a couple of weeks, I knew by 5 pm on the first day it had been a mistake.
That way you can wipe it off your CV, any more than a month or so and it becomes more difficult to leave it off, and you then have to explain it in interviews etc.

Can you do temping? Not sure of your field, but in mine they were crying out for temps and I got something straight away which tided me over until I found a perm job.

Alfiemoon1 · 08/04/2019 17:58

How are things op did you get a new job or stick it out

New posts on this thread. Refresh page