I just started a new position in the admissions dept for a hospital. I have noticed that my new immediate co workers seem to treat me very disrespectfully. They were assigned to show me the ropes while the boss was on vacation. They have basically took no initiation to train me (I have had to drag information about my job out of them)and they laugh behind my back when I make mistakes. They sometimes just try ignore any questions that I may have. Some days are better than others.

I feel that maybe they are just very immature, have personal or social issues. I try not to personalize it. How do I deal with people like that? I can't just ignore them when I have to learn my job mostly through them for right now. To make matters worst we work in a very small space. Should I tell the boss? I would hate to find another job since I want to give this new job a shot. I have really tried working it out on my own for the last two weeks but just when I think the problem is solved something else happens.

What should I do? I just want to come to work and give all that I have and get along with my co-workers(team). At least have a an enviroment were people at least respect each other.

The whole situation seems strange to me! HELP!

-- Glorivee Graham (elmosfire255@cs.com), March 16, 2001

Answers

Life is short and so we're entitled to as much happiness as we can get during the brief span of our years on this planet.

It sounds to me like you're wasting your time and energy on giving this position a chance when those around you don't want to give you a chance. You could tell the boss and even if the boss were to side with you, you'd still be in the same mess, working with others who plainly don't want you there for whatever reason.

No one should have to work in a hostile environment. Find a friendlier place to work. While your co-workers will usually never be a part of your family or circle of friends, it's unreasonable to force yourself to work with others who don't have good will towards you.

You may be experiencing ageism, racism, or some other form of hate that is illegal. But, just b/c something is illegal doesn't prevent it from occurring.

Bottom Line: Leave and find a more cordial workplace. You deserve that much.

-- WebGrrl (iam4webwork@hotmail.com), April 29, 2001.

I myself have worked in a small satelite office of a larger LA based Firm for 4 years now and my boss is verbally abusive, both to me and to my co-workers. He yells and curses at us on a regular basis, sometimes until we cry. Not only does this make me dread going to work each day, it has effected my self-esteem. Many people have left the firm already. It seems that there are no laws under "hostile work environment" that protect employees from this type of abuse, unless it has to do with sex, race, gender and the like. This situation has become unbearable, causing me to make the decision to resign. I have to agree with Glorivee and say that quality of life is much more important. I think we owe it to ourselves to find a better place to work. Good luck!

-- Suzanne Voss (sueqvoss@yahoo.com), June 20, 2001.