Why are people so rude? I’ve only been here a week at work (I’m a temp) and they’re all arranging to?

Question

go for lunch. They invited everyone except me. They just ignore me here as well. They arranged lunch when I was away from my desk and when I got back, they didn’t include me. Some of the people whom I office share, haven’t even introduced themselves to me either.

I'm either very sensitive or they're very rude.

No, they don't speak to me at all. They ignore me.

Answer 1

It sounds as if work is really cliquey...a sign of weak management. I have had that experience, I was really freindly, but people just ignored me or ridiculed me for what I said. It will hopefully give you a thicker skin like it did me...my attitude changed and I thought F*** them!!

Answer 2

Sadly, the way you are being treated is often what happens with temps.

I've temped over the years and it's fair to say that in a lot of company's you're are an invisible resource. You don't have a name - you're only known as "the temp". You don't have a brain, but you're the expert at the photocopier even though it's probably a model you've never seen or used before, and you're expected to do all the filing that the person you're standing in for couldn't be bothered to do herself!

The only time they take any real notice of you is when it's time to get your timesheet signed and they query the number of hours that you've actually worked.

I read a great fictional novel once called "The Temp" by Serena Mackesy. You should read it, because it's oh so true!

Answer 3

Im a temp too and i know exactly how you feel. I have been introduced to visitors as "just the temp" and generally looked down on since the day i got here 4 months ago. I have never once been offered a drink in the tea round and came back from a weeks holiday to find my desk and all my stationary had been given to someone else since then i have just been floating around sitting at desks of people who are on holiday etc as there is no space for me. Every piece of work i do gets given back to me for amendments on things i was never told about in the first place, its as if my supervisor doesnt even acually know what she wants me to do most of the time. Im desparate to get out of temping and into a job thats mine but it seems having a degree isnt actually worth anything

Answer 4

I guess it's like Big Brother, I can't believe I'm using Big Brother as an analogy. You're the house mate that was introduced to the house after everyone else had been in for weeks and bonded. It is rude that they didn't invite you. Maybe you should stick your hand out with a smile and introduce your self they'll probably invite you. If they don't you're temping so you won't be their forever. I've found that work colleagues behave differently at work than they do at social events, cut them some slack.

Answer 5

They are simply rude, I have seen people treat temps in this away and I always made an extra effort to get to know the temp. It makes me so annoyed that people are so rude, your the new person and even if you are the temp you should be made welcome their is no excuse for that behaviour, sometimes I think people are scared that you will be good and take over their jobs or be offered a higher position that they wanted. Just be as kind as you can to them, I know it is hard but just talk to them as if you would to anyone, smile at them and they will wonder what you are smiling at, just show that it does not bother you what they do. They might come around or not, but you can be happy in the knowledge that you have treated them with respect and kindness and are the far better person.

Answer 6

I used to spend a lot of time working as a temp, and unfortunately it seems that in many places this is just how people treat temps. I don't know why, but it is like they think temps are some sort of lower life form that needn't be bothered with. It sucks, but one day you'll be more successful than any of them.

I still remember my time as a temp and whenever we have a temp in where I work now I always make an effort to talk to them and make sure that they get included in anything that goes on in the office. I don't want to be like the people who used to be so mean to me.

Answer 7

Because some office workers forget (or don't know) that being a temp is hard work. Different offices, different staff, every day or week. Have you tried talking to them, say hey next time you go out for lunch - could I come as well. See what they say. In some offices permanent staff are under extreme pressure because of staff cuts and without realising it they can cut you out, or resent the time it takes to train you - the resentment this causes is manifested in the way they treat you.

Answer 8

Hi, hope it's not the office I work in! (we went out for lunch yesterday as a lad came back for a visit but the temp didn't know him)
We have a couple of temps, and it does take time to get to know them. You don't want to bombard them with loads of questions in case they think you being nosey and you don't know either how long they are there for.
Also, if they are a very busy office it takes longer to get to know people. If they have a room where people meet for lunch, talk to them then and get to know them. It works both ways, you need to make an effort and they need to be more welcoming.
Good luck!

Answer 9

You're not in South London or Surrey are you? People are bl*ody unfriendly there. Well, the life of a temp starts out quite lonely but then blossoms into many a friendship. I remember temping for one company years ago and it took a month before I made some good friends and had a good time socialising. Maybe they just don't like you or maybe they are ignorant unfriendly *hits as you say.

Answer 10

the working world is different to the real world - survival of the fittest is sadly the motto there. You're a temp-er, which means to them that you are inferior to any full time worker.

FCUK them, incompetent dumb-asses. Besides, you have friends outside the office i'm sure, so you don't need some sad, balding sado-masochistic accountant's nod of the head.

Answer 11

Its just downright rude. Its hard enough to start working somewhere new without people being nasty. Keep thinking to yourself that you are temping and its not forever. They all too had to fit in at some stage and see how easy they forget that they too were once the new girl. They are not worth worrying about.