There's a clique at work who are senior staff who like to engage in gossip and make life uncomfortable for those of us who are outside their circle.
A newish staff member with a really poor attitude has just been promoted (constantly late, claimed for hours not worked, doesn't adhere to dress code, has been heavy handed with some patients and received complaints). They are well in with the clique though and flatter them. Something that I could never do.
Nobody else went for the job as the general consensus was that the clique would make your life hell if you did.
I feel the newly promoted colleague is playing them for fools. They are massively under qualified for the role but the clique are advising them. This allows the clique more control with minimal accountability.
They already earn as much as the promotion would offer without the responsibilities (old contracts) so there would be no point in taking the promotion and they can act through this other staff member anyway.
I'm really struggling to be pleasant with these people. I've seen instances where their actions have seemed like bulling and really alienated some staff. They exert some kind of social authority and it seems really toxic.
Any advice? Can I learn to be pleasant to them?
I have requested to reduce hours in order to find another job. I want to visit some other hospitals to try to get a feel for the environments there.