Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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

Will I be seen as trouble maker in new job?

33 replies

tippararyshamrock · 12/02/2023 10:47

I really enjoy the work and most of the people are very nice and supportive.

However, unfortunately I have been put sitting next to 2 really nasty pieces of work. The way they talk about certain colleague and managers is abhorrent.

When I walk in they carry on talking and don't even say good morning. They socialise and are best friends with the line managers. They shout out things about my work to try to shame me (I am not fully trained yet) and are really unhelpful.

Another colleague complained to a higher up manager about one of these line managers for singling her out. Since this happened that line manager has started singling me out and making comments about wanting to throw something at someone (this was after she had obviously found out that a complaint had been made against her.

That day she seemed to single me out too and kept going off for chats with these other two problematic colleagues. They talk incessantly all day and I just cannot concentrate on my work at all. I went to make a coffee and as soon as I got back the line manager and one colleague pounced on me about my work.

The minute one colleague got up to go home they made an absolutely disgusting comment about her and her body and the line manager didn't even correct her, just laughed too.

I really don't want to look like a trouble-maker in my new job but I really want to go to a higher manager. I don't want to have to work with this bully as she is on my team and I can't concentrate with the constant loud chat and the horrible comments and obvious way they talk behind people's back sets off my anxiety.

Please how should I handle this?

OP posts:
Original poster
tippararyshamrock · 12/02/2023 10:52

These people are the type to sabotage your work. It is very easily done there.

OP posts:
SuperSange · 12/02/2023 11:00

You can't compete with that. I'd leave.

Original poster
tippararyshamrock · 12/02/2023 11:05

I literally can't leave. I will never find what I have here and I really enjoy the work.

Why do these toxics type always make people have to leave?

OP posts:
daisychain01 · 12/02/2023 11:07

Any workplace with a toxic environment like you've described, with backbiting and line management failing to address poor staff behaviour is a can of worms that you aren't paid enough to fix.

I would keep you head down, don't attract attention and meanwhile be working like the clappers to find a new job away from that shitshow.

if you haven't worked there more than a few weeks, don't even include it on your CV or include it as a temporary assignment.

Stuffynosetime · 12/02/2023 11:12

I think you’re incredibly naive to think that you will be the first person to do so, or that by going higher, they will believe you over the managers.

in a fair world sure, the senior manager will sort it. In the real world, they will hate you even more.

so I’d leave and I’d tell them on exit why. If you can’t and wish to stay you will need to find a way to deal with it.

Original poster
tippararyshamrock · 12/02/2023 11:13

The higher up manager has booked a meeting with my other colleague to hear her concerns.

I really want to fight this as I am so fed up with having to move on if colleagues are toxic.

I have great pay and contract and I'm willing to take this all the way to the top if I have to.

Should I ask the higher up manager to move tables and teams at least? Everyone else seems so nice.

OP posts:
Original poster
tippararyshamrock · 12/02/2023 11:20

Would you not at least ask to move seats and change teams? Life there would be better then. Can't they get in trouble for not making adjustments for people with a disability?

OP posts:
Original poster
tippararyshamrock · 12/02/2023 11:22

Do you mean the senior manager would hate me or the toxic colleagues? If it's the latter I don't care.

OP posts:
JustAGirlInACountrySong · 12/02/2023 11:28

I think it's worth a shot op

Also, document all the work you do...the sabotage element is an issue I'd worry about more!

WomensLandArmy · 12/02/2023 11:33

Any chance you could record some of this nonsense?

Original poster
tippararyshamrock · 12/02/2023 11:37

I think there is a clause saying you can't record colleagues in the contract.

OP posts:
Original poster
tippararyshamrock · 12/02/2023 11:39

Yes @JustAGirlInACountrySong I have thought of a ways that I can prevent this. Tbh I think it's already happened to me.

OP posts:
category12 · 12/02/2023 11:40

You might as well complain as they will make your life a misery until you're forced out by stress or get ill at this rate.

Quveas · 12/02/2023 11:41

I have my doubts it'll make any difference because I doubt you have anything to say that hasn't been said before. But if you like the work and terms, you have nothing to lose by speaking up, because one way or another you'll be looking for a new job if that doesn't work out.

SweetBlues · 12/02/2023 11:42

Keep a journal

record: dates, times, parties involved and verbatim words. Whether it impacts you or not.

also start to record your work - a daily spreadsheet of what you’re doing, what you have been trained on and what you are being left to self learn or figure out.

caramac04 · 12/02/2023 11:42

If you can’t change teams then look for something else whilst keeping your head down.
Keep a record of their behaviour, what they actually say and do, put it in writing and give to the highest manager when you leave.
if you can change teams tell the highest manager once you’ve moved.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 12/02/2023 11:42

Any workplace with a toxic environment like you've described, with backbiting and line management failing to address poor staff behaviour is a can of worms that you aren't paid enough to fix

I would have to agree with this. I left exjob without another job to go to because of concerns about a toxic environment that I knew simply weren't going to be addressed, and it was beginning to affect my MH - as it will your's, OP, knowing what you're going to have to deal with. I'd already tried to address one of the issues pre-pandemic, and had it turned back on me, so I was pretty sure my card was marked anyway. Your management isn't addressing the issue because a) it doesn't want to or b) it doesn't know how to. Both of those are red flags.

Only you know what you can tolerate, but you're new and you already have concerns. In your place I'd be job hunting like mad. I know you say you won't find anything like it, but is it really worth it in the long run? (FTR exjob was the best paid job I'd had for years, but I didn't allow that to influence my decision).

Can you sign up to an agency and temp for a bit?

Original poster
tippararyshamrock · 12/02/2023 11:50

SweetBlues · 12/02/2023 11:42

Keep a journal

record: dates, times, parties involved and verbatim words. Whether it impacts you or not.

also start to record your work - a daily spreadsheet of what you’re doing, what you have been trained on and what you are being left to self learn or figure out.

Oh yes I have been met with impatience when asking a question about how to finish a work flow, as we have only been trained to do certain parts.

I will include this if I complain.

OP posts:
Dirtyslippers · 12/02/2023 11:57

Make sure you document everything
Comments made about colleagues, bitching about your work etc
Date/times/who was involved

Not just for evidence but for yourself. When you doubt yourself and wonder if it's as bad as you think it is you can read it back and it will remind you.

It sounds terrible, can you wear noise cancelling headphones?

Original poster
tippararyshamrock · 12/02/2023 11:59

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 12/02/2023 11:42

Any workplace with a toxic environment like you've described, with backbiting and line management failing to address poor staff behaviour is a can of worms that you aren't paid enough to fix

I would have to agree with this. I left exjob without another job to go to because of concerns about a toxic environment that I knew simply weren't going to be addressed, and it was beginning to affect my MH - as it will your's, OP, knowing what you're going to have to deal with. I'd already tried to address one of the issues pre-pandemic, and had it turned back on me, so I was pretty sure my card was marked anyway. Your management isn't addressing the issue because a) it doesn't want to or b) it doesn't know how to. Both of those are red flags.

Only you know what you can tolerate, but you're new and you already have concerns. In your place I'd be job hunting like mad. I know you say you won't find anything like it, but is it really worth it in the long run? (FTR exjob was the best paid job I'd had for years, but I didn't allow that to influence my decision).

Can you sign up to an agency and temp for a bit?

I know exactly what you mean, but these types are literally in every workplace. When do you finally say enough is enough and not make toxic people win all the time?

I've left jobs before because of toxic people, when really I should have stayed as the managers were helpful and agreed that certain people were toxic. I didn't like them jobs anyway, so I left.

Now here I am and this is one Id rather stay in. I think I am going to say I literally can't concentrate.

Even the HR are getting annoyed at the constant noise, so maybe I could get support there.

OP posts:
Original poster
tippararyshamrock · 12/02/2023 12:06

@Dirtyslippers I have put on headphones to help, but I can't put them too loud and I can still hear them, then they are leaning over to talk to each other and constantly up and down - it is so distracting. To be fair I am seeking a diagnosis for ADHD but I think anyone would find this environment distracting.

Then they seem to keep asking me and just one other colleague that has been singled out how much work have you done today? They seem to talk and call people cunts etc but be able to work too!

OP posts:
MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 12/02/2023 12:13

You say these types of people are in every workplace and that you've left jobs before because the people were toxic. Do you go into every job expecting people to be toxic? because that might be affecting your outlook. I temped for years and I met a lot of different people in a lot of different industries. Perhaps it was different because I was temping and knew I could get out with a week's notice, but until my last job I never met a person or a situation I'd label as toxic. Exasperating, yes. Deeply annoying, sometimes. Assholes, definitely. But also some lovely people.

Original poster
tippararyshamrock · 12/02/2023 13:27

Lucky you!

No, not at all! I think everyone else is very nice and supportive.

These people are definitely toxic and no please don't gaslight me into thinking it is me, I know it isn't. I don't call manger's babies cunts amongst other horrific behaviour.

OP posts:
MathsIsFab · 12/02/2023 13:38

Head down @tippararyshamrock

are they actually interfering with your day to day tasks or just because they’re sitting near you?
Do you actually need them to approve anything you’re doing etc?

if not, and if you really want to stay there then headphones on, fixed smile, no opinions , positive outlook and head down

I am a consultant so I move a lot and get these crap from time to time ; unless the toxic person is my manager then I’m not affected but I follow what I suggested above

good luck x

Original poster
tippararyshamrock · 12/02/2023 14:01

Thank you for replying. The problem is yes, I will have to work closely with one of the toxic colleagues. She was already being very difficult with me the other day and had obviously said something to the horrible line manager, as they literally pounced on me once I'd got back to my seat. I can't do things I haven't been trained to do and they were belittling me and being really impatient. It was horrible.

It is so obvious they are already talking negatively and will start reporting me to the senior manager. I think I should get in their first. She is also only asking me and the other colleague who reported her how we are finding it, but none of the other new people.

This has really got me down.

OP posts: