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Co worker is so negative

10 replies

Vickytick · 01/05/2024 06:12

So I’ve just started a new job (p/t 2 days a week). Haven’t worked for over 12 years except some admin bits for my husband’s financial business. I used to work in the City in a quite senior role. I job share but the problem is the woman I work with on my two days - it’s only us. She is so negative about everyone. Constantly slagging them off, even commented on the person I job share with children the other day. Nice to their face then bitches . I went to lunch in the staff room then she asked me when I got back if I enjoyed my lunch with X as she hates X. So childish for a woman nearly 60. She has no home life - son abroad and no husband so the job is everything.

I’ve only been there 6 weeks and hate it. I don’t have to work it’s a choice because I was bored at home but I’m not sure I can carry on. She won’t teach me it all as she wants to make sure I know it first in stages. I used to run multi million pound settlement teams in investment banking. She constantly questions what I’m doing and hands me work. She even checked a simple spreadsheet before I sent it the other day. Treats me like a child and it triggers me as my mum was very controlling even as an adult.

there is no manager at the moment as she left with immediate notice and the temporary one floats between sites - never spoken to anyone not even on my first day. It’s a small office with about 15 or so staff.

OP posts:
decionsdecisions62 · 01/05/2024 06:16

I would just get another job tbh. Life is too short. You sound like you have lots of experience an employer would want. Sometimes in low level jobs you end up having to deal with low energy people.

PotatoPudding · 01/05/2024 06:21

She’ll shit her pants if you call her out on it. I did it years ago. I just told the person she should only say things behind people’s backs that she’d be willing to say to their faces and that I wasn’t interested in the negative things she had to say.

IglesiasPiggl · 01/05/2024 06:26

It sounds like a crap place to work. In a role like you describe, I would just move on and find something different. I would add, though, that if you're taking a much more junior role than you have had previously, it will be very different, and people won't necessarily value your previous experience if it isn't relevant to the role.

BlastedPimples · 01/05/2024 06:27

Sounds really draining. No wonder you're miserable.

It also sounds like you could get another more interesting role pretty easily.

There is no harm in looking in the meantime.

froggirl · 01/05/2024 06:32

Unfortunately there are often people like this in the workplace.
Part of being an employee is that you can't really control the environment and you are lumped with whoever else was employed by that organisation
That can be nice when they are nice people, but it's hard when it's people like this.
I guess your options are stick it out, quit, and/ or look for another job (but you might have a similar situation wherever you work really!)

Passthepickle · 01/05/2024 06:47

You don’t need to work so have fun.
Ask her why she is so mean, be friendly to the others and say her mean comments back at her in tones of amazement- then where they are just petty say them loudly out loud.

when she is inappropriately patronising make sure you mention it but also be nice. Surprise her with some biscuits - smile at her patronisingly as she checks your work - enjoy not giving a shit!

LynetteScavo · 01/05/2024 06:49

If you don't need to work why would
you spend 1 days a week in this workplace? Life is too short. Wouldn't you rather find a job where you at least enjoyed yourself?

Sparrowonablinddate · 01/05/2024 08:32

Call her out on it miserable toad. I work with someone like this and she’s a coward as I know she’d shit herself if she was called out on it or cry and call in sick.

determinedtomakethiswork · 01/05/2024 08:44

She is going to stay there until she has to retire so if you don't want to work with her, and who would, then you're either going to have to move somewhere else in the organisation or go somewhere else.

Vickytick · 07/05/2024 11:43

Thanks all. I know you are right. I just feel bad for leaving a role after only a couple of months - guess that’s due to the childhood drilling of the 70’s where you sucked it up. I’ve asked for a call with HR now as the temp lead even suggested this woman did my probation but she’s not management, same level as me and only been in the role a year. Starting to think I need to look for a different type of job. I do appreciate all the comments

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