Temping - whinging whiney office

[BreezyCat]

I have taken an assignment, quite enjoy the job and was hoping it might be extended.

However in the team, there are 2 that sit next to me and constantly complain about anything and everything, bitch about management, moan about the work, whine if asked to do things differently, even the canteen food, whispering about colleagues, honestly it is so bloody draining that is has really started to effect me and I dread going in when I know they will be there.

its a fair size office so the rest of the team don’t hear them, or maybe asked to be moved, I have no idea as I have not shared how I feel.

i really need the job and mindful I could be waiting ages from the agency, should I speak to the line manager or just suck it up……

Because you like the job I would probably just hold your nerve, smile politely and just keep quietly getting on with the work. Are you allowed to wear headphones at your desk? If so I’d stick them in and block the nonsense out.

No sadly, I asked about the headphones

No don’t speak to your line manager. Speak to your agency. They need to be managing these issues for you. They have a joint responsibility with the client (where you work) for issues such as this. It doesn’t sound like it’s falling under harassment or bullying (but could be). Don’t suffer in silence. 🤗💐

Oh that’s a shame about no headphones. You could always ask to be moved, but say it’s because of the air con or too close to the toilets etc, without mentioning the energy vampires. If that’s not possible and they try to engage you just say that you haven’t experienced any of that and you are enjoying it. If it is too distracting you could just tell your boss that you’re finding it hard to concentrate where you’re sat.

Yes I think I’d make an excuse to ask to be moved. The light, the temperature, or the noise. People like that are so awful.

Thanks, I must admit I was waving about the line manager as I get the feel she is friends with one of them, and is ultimately responsible whether my assignment gets extended. I have spoken to the agency and they were not that helpful and said I could leave immediately but that means waiting for another assignment

I’d go for making an excuse to move, like the lighting gives you a headache. Agencies are useless in situations like this, their attitude is like it or lump it. All they want to do is stay on the good side of the client and replace you quickly if you leave.

I was in a similar situation many years ago and decided to leave, telling the agency what the two women were like. The agency said they had had previous issues with the role, and asked me to stay the week so they could replace me (wish I’d just walked out immediately, in hindsight). There is no way they would have intervened, although the women were actively unpleasant to me, not just energy drains.

If you can wear headphones could you wear loops ear phones to at least filter out of their complaining?!

Horrible is'nt it, I know the agency will just say I can leave immediately(but i need the money) and the rest of the office ok.
I think I will say I can't concentrate and ask to move(not mentioning the whinging and the constant negative conversation)

Trouble is i need to interact and need to be able to hear clearly

Thanks all for the sound advice, as tempting as it is to speak to the line manager and say what a couple of negative soul-sapping creatures there are....... I won't as hoping for an extension.
I will say I can't concentrate and ask to be moved to a quieter part of the office.

So they expect you to sit there and try to do a decent days work while listening to people whinge and whine all day. Ridiculous.

That’s a shame about your agency. Asking to move somewhere else in the office sounds like the best option for now. And keep an eye out for other options. Maybe join some more agencies and you might get lucky with another place. 🤞