Bitchy colleagues

[Ashleyupnorth]

How do I react to this? I have changed teams and working alongside a colleague I haven't worked with before. My colleague worked with another colleague who has also changed teams. My new colleague told me she had much more of a laugh, banter and relaxed work day with my other colleague. Apparently I am too professional and not chilled enough 🙃!

This may be true but I am there to get my head down as I know these colleagues bitch about others and its not something I want to be involved in. For what it's worth people get on with me, I am friendly, positive and motivated just don't slack or bitch behind others backs.

How do I navigate this behaviour from my colleague and how do you cope with bitchy colleagues? my old colleague and new colleague are still in touch and I suspect they're enjoying having a bitch about me.

you can have it all … not bitching, having a laugh and grafting.

@SwishSwashSwooshSwersh agree but I don't necessarily have the same humour and their having a laugh is usually at the expense of another. No thanks.

Just use your own humour. Have fun, it’s possible to carry others along with a positive vibe. Ignore any bitching. Some people get sucked into bitching habits when in fact they just feel a bit rubbish in themselves.

Just be yourself. You sound like a lovely, good employee. Unfortunately this is everywhere and there is nothing you can do about it. If you find the answers let me know!

It may be telling that these two colleagues are no longer working together - do you think management deliberately moved one to lessen the bitching? Or in fact the other colleague requested the move to escape the bitching?

I actually had the nickname "Bitch" at a place I worked at years ago. It was more a reflection of them than me for sure, I'm not a bitch at all, they just didn't know how to have a nice time and work. I've get on well with most people in general. Some people want to be seen as fun but they aren't really, they want to be in control of the fun. Have their cake and eat it too kind of thing. Just ignore it.

Sounds to me like your colleague is complaining that they can’t be bitchy with you, but is trying to spin it as the problem being you in that you’re not fun. Stick to what you’re doing, you sound a much nicer person.