I have to work with 2 immature people at my job.One is a 59 year old thinks she knows and she is correct on a lot of subjects,Plus 21 year old girl who constantly acts like a child.
These ladies always make sarcastic remarks about everything I do.From my husband losing some weight up to how I live.I used to be good friends with them since they had decided with this critism about my life,I ignore them as much as possible.In fact the other day,I heard them snickering my name but I did not hear what they had said.
I know I could ignore the situation but this is becoming out of hand.
Telling me I should take it to human resources,I am sorry but my place of business does not really care about their employees.They are more concerned about productivity.
What can I do?
2006-09-28 02:51:03 · 9 answers · asked by wsm0628 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
Talking to them won't help as they are"favorites" among team leaders/supervisors and if this situation becomes out of hand,they would cry to the leads/supervisors about this incident and I would end up getting in trouble.I am just tired of them thinking my life is a joke.The one lady (59) used to work with my husband's father and she is taking it out on my husband and I because of a situation that had happend between her and my husbands father.My friend who is actually friends with them always tries to stick up for me however,this continues.
2006-09-28 03:04:14 · update #1
With the insults.I could plague her with comments about her 35 year old son living with her and how her son is "big".She would get defensive on me and telling me it is not my problem
2006-09-28 03:05:36 · update #2
You obviously work in a small work environment as ignoring them is just not possible.
Recoginizing they are not your friends is a great first step. I agree with the previous answer that jealousy and bitterness fuels their behavior. My guess is you are making a positive contribution to the company, which makes their bad behavior so obvious. The 59yr old is feeling "out of place" and is lashing out.
The next time they make a comment in front of you and someone else, say "excuse me, did I hear you right?"
What you are actually doing is making them repeat the nasty comment, focusing on its' negativity. Then say nothing else, perhaps glance at the other co-worker and walk away.
Everytime they get going, walk away. Do not do their job for them - if they have time to gab about you, they have time to do the job they're hired for. Keep a journal, always take it home with you and never leave it unattended.
It's time to professionally "push" them out of your path. Be very polite and very professional. And never discuss anything personal with them around, never! Act is if you are above them on the career ladder and can't be involved in petty office politics.
Good luck...
2006-09-28 03:25:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will tell you this, I work with 3 different people, various ages, 62, 32 and 56 and all of them are smart asses and think they know it all. I always have to constantly deal with them being sneaky talking to each other about me. I tend to excel at my job and when my manager acknowledges it, they hate it. I have learned that if you kill them with kindness they tend to back away from you because they know it is not getting to you. Not everyone can handle this situation very easy, because it makes for a very difficult work environment and stressful. If it tends to make you feel stressed then I suggest that you might want to seek alternative employment and leave the situation since nothing will change with them. If it gets that bad and it is affected by your job, then you will be in the same situation as quiting, but only being terminated it much worse and will add even more stress on top of a bad situation. If you find another job, then at least you can leave on good terms and they wont know why you quit and they will always wonder that and I could bother them for that..... you just never know.
2006-09-28 10:17:59 · answer #2 · answered by ~~1GR8GUY~~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After reading everything you wrote it seems you don't have much of a choice. Going to HR would only make them continue, confronting them would only make it worse, and quitting would make them feel they've "won". Answering back sarcastically or saying something about the 59 yr old's son only makes it worse as well. Just continue doing what you're doing (ignoring them as much as possible) and don't give them any ammunition to say anything else about you. Let others in the office see what a good person you are, a hard worker you are and they'll begin to realize these 2 ladies are simply jealous and won't side with them anymore.
As you said, they're acting like children..and when you don't let them "win"...they'll stop and find someone else to pick on. As one person said it....take it with a grain of salt.
How silly and stupid it is to work with people who have nothing better to do than to find someone to complain, make fun of or pick on.
One of the reasons I work from home. As a deaf person people were always snickering about me behind their backs. So now I work from home and I'm happy.
2006-09-28 10:23:26 · answer #3 · answered by BevD 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh dear! Hard situation! I agree that taking it to HR wont bring anything! They are obviously jealous and envy you a lot! Talking back is also no option since you will/can fuel them to continue! What you are doing right now is the best thing to do! Continue ignoring them and dont leave your things and computer unlocked! After a while, when you do not fuel them, they will get bored and stop it! Make friends with other colleagues from other departments and show them that you dont give a fcuk about them! Good luck!
2006-09-28 09:56:03 · answer #4 · answered by bumblebee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sticks and stones . . . You are going to have to either continue to ignore them (which will probably just goad them on);or confront them. This would most likely be best to do with a supervisor present; so you will have to go to HR - this IS their job. I hope they surprise you and really do something to help you solve your dilemma.
2006-09-28 10:03:16 · answer #5 · answered by Tina R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Work place politics are common. Just take it with a pinch of salt, and the matter will be settled in no time.
2006-09-28 09:57:25 · answer #6 · answered by JP E 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This may or may not help, but I think if I were you I would confront both of them about the problem. But, I would confront them both seperatley, so they can't gang up on you, and you will get both of their stories. Well, goodluck.
2006-09-28 09:59:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't tell them anything else about your life! if they ask just give them a one worded answer like, good, fine, its okay, things like that
2006-09-28 10:45:06 · answer #8 · answered by AFwife 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
start looking for a new job.
2006-09-28 09:58:24 · answer #9 · answered by ChemGeek 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋