Dealing with office politics after being off sick
Discussion
I’m currently off sick. I was previously in early August off sick for two week and went back for one week before now having been off for another two weeks due to bowel issues. I’ve not had a flare up all week and with immodium I can manage the day. To be honest, sick pay is about 85% less per week than what I earn. I work in the DWP but I’m agency staff so don’t have the benefit of six months full pay. Really causing us to struggle financially so I’m thinking of just going back on Monday.
My main issue is dealing with the horrid female coworkers. There is a small group of four in my “team” who are just big mouth bullies. I’ve already been warned by management for my behaviour back to them. When I had originally gone back after the two weeks, not one of them acknowledged I was there. Not a hello, not a word was said. I have a lovely coworker beside me who is same age as my parents and she is trying to leave due to these particular females.
My wife wants me to quit the job as I truly despise it. GP wants me to quit as she believes it is causing a large part of my health issue, parents want me to quit. There is a huge staff turnover and working in universal credit is just horrid. But it’s not having another job to go to. I feel very trapped with this.
If I go back on Monday should I kill them with niceness? Not sure how to tackle it. I can’t get another warning and I can’t be bothered dealing with office politics. Any advice would be great. I’ve spoke to management about this before but they don’t seem to care much.
My main issue is dealing with the horrid female coworkers. There is a small group of four in my “team” who are just big mouth bullies. I’ve already been warned by management for my behaviour back to them. When I had originally gone back after the two weeks, not one of them acknowledged I was there. Not a hello, not a word was said. I have a lovely coworker beside me who is same age as my parents and she is trying to leave due to these particular females.
My wife wants me to quit the job as I truly despise it. GP wants me to quit as she believes it is causing a large part of my health issue, parents want me to quit. There is a huge staff turnover and working in universal credit is just horrid. But it’s not having another job to go to. I feel very trapped with this.
If I go back on Monday should I kill them with niceness? Not sure how to tackle it. I can’t get another warning and I can’t be bothered dealing with office politics. Any advice would be great. I’ve spoke to management about this before but they don’t seem to care much.
Edited by burritoNinja on Friday 13th September 22:12
wormus said:
Speak to your HR business partner (your manager will know who that is). The department and civil service is big enough. Just ask to be transferred to a different team/part of the department.
Spoke to them several weeks ago and they were not willing to move me to a new team or position. "Office Politics" is a broad church but generally a game played by those of limited ability to position themselves more favourably within the organisation.
What you've described is bullying - you've even mentioned it.
Go back to work and document everything you consider to be bullying - ignoring greetings, snide comments, making tea and not including you....everything. Date and time them. If you can get your friendly co-worker to do the same, that would be a significant bonus. Once you have amassed a decent file of examples - which wouldn't take too long by the sounds of it - go to HR and make a formal complaint presenting the evidence you've amassed. They are then duty bound to examine and rectify.
In reality, little will change but the process for you will be cathartic and you will have succeeded in putting a blot on these group of women's records so gaining a degree of retribution.
So, at the same time, polish up your CV and start the process of seeking new employment.
HTH and good luck.
What you've described is bullying - you've even mentioned it.
Go back to work and document everything you consider to be bullying - ignoring greetings, snide comments, making tea and not including you....everything. Date and time them. If you can get your friendly co-worker to do the same, that would be a significant bonus. Once you have amassed a decent file of examples - which wouldn't take too long by the sounds of it - go to HR and make a formal complaint presenting the evidence you've amassed. They are then duty bound to examine and rectify.
In reality, little will change but the process for you will be cathartic and you will have succeeded in putting a blot on these group of women's records so gaining a degree of retribution.
So, at the same time, polish up your CV and start the process of seeking new employment.
HTH and good luck.
I stayed in a job too long. It was affecting my health and making me utterly miserable.
They offered everyone VR and I was the first to say yes apparently. It was like a breath of fresh air, a weight off me.
I stayed many years too long. Even now I see it as my "prison" years (lost time) working there.
I didn't progress or grow. I stagnated.
They offered everyone VR and I was the first to say yes apparently. It was like a breath of fresh air, a weight off me.
I stayed many years too long. Even now I see it as my "prison" years (lost time) working there.
I didn't progress or grow. I stagnated.
StevieBee said:
"Office Politics" is a broad church but generally a game played by those of limited ability to position themselves more favourably within the organisation.
What you've described is bullying - you've even mentioned it.
Go back to work and document everything you consider to be bullying - ignoring greetings, snide comments, making tea and not including you....everything. Date and time them. If you can get your friendly co-worker to do the same, that would be a significant bonus. Once you have amassed a decent file of examples - which wouldn't take too long by the sounds of it - go to HR and make a formal complaint presenting the evidence you've amassed. They are then duty bound to examine and rectify.
In reality, little will change but the process for you will be cathartic and you will have succeeded in putting a blot on these group of women's records so gaining a degree of retribution.
So, at the same time, polish up your CV and start the process of seeking new employment.
HTH and good luck.
What you've described is bullying - you've even mentioned it.
Go back to work and document everything you consider to be bullying - ignoring greetings, snide comments, making tea and not including you....everything. Date and time them. If you can get your friendly co-worker to do the same, that would be a significant bonus. Once you have amassed a decent file of examples - which wouldn't take too long by the sounds of it - go to HR and make a formal complaint presenting the evidence you've amassed. They are then duty bound to examine and rectify.
In reality, little will change but the process for you will be cathartic and you will have succeeded in putting a blot on these group of women's records so gaining a degree of retribution.
So, at the same time, polish up your CV and start the process of seeking new employment.
HTH and good luck.
ignoring greetings and not making tea for you is bullying now? grow a pair ffs.
StevieBee said:
"Office Politics" is a broad church but generally a game played by those of limited ability to position themselves more favourably within the organisation.
What you've described is bullying - you've even mentioned it.
Go back to work and document everything you consider to be bullying - ignoring greetings, snide comments, making tea and not including you....everything. Date and time them. If you can get your friendly co-worker to do the same, that would be a significant bonus. Once you have amassed a decent file of examples - which wouldn't take too long by the sounds of it - go to HR and make a formal complaint presenting the evidence you've amassed. They are then duty bound to examine and rectify.
In reality, little will change but the process for you will be cathartic and you will have succeeded in putting a blot on these group of women's records so gaining a degree of retribution.
So, at the same time, polish up your CV and start the process of seeking new employment.
HTH and good luck.
Do this. Copy in the highest person in the organisation. Also note the lack of support offered by your manager and any others. What you've described is bullying - you've even mentioned it.
Go back to work and document everything you consider to be bullying - ignoring greetings, snide comments, making tea and not including you....everything. Date and time them. If you can get your friendly co-worker to do the same, that would be a significant bonus. Once you have amassed a decent file of examples - which wouldn't take too long by the sounds of it - go to HR and make a formal complaint presenting the evidence you've amassed. They are then duty bound to examine and rectify.
In reality, little will change but the process for you will be cathartic and you will have succeeded in putting a blot on these group of women's records so gaining a degree of retribution.
So, at the same time, polish up your CV and start the process of seeking new employment.
HTH and good luck.
I've done this before. I was batted away by my manager a few times, it was not until I sent him a formal email with my evidence, including dates and times (and his behaviour over the matter) that he shat himself. 2 weeks later I was moved. In hindsight I should have copied in the CEO... heads would have rolled.
spikeyhead said:
KrazyIvan said:
FFS. It simple. You go to work, you do your job, keep you head down till 5:30 and go home. It's a job not a social club.
If I were you I would be worried at why a 15% drop in your weekly take home is causing you financial difficulties.
The op states an 85% dropIf I were you I would be worried at why a 15% drop in your weekly take home is causing you financial difficulties.
OldGermanHeaps said:
StevieBee said:
"Office Politics" is a broad church but generally a game played by those of limited ability to position themselves more favourably within the organisation.
What you've described is bullying - you've even mentioned it.
Go back to work and document everything you consider to be bullying - ignoring greetings, snide comments, making tea and not including you....everything. Date and time them. If you can get your friendly co-worker to do the same, that would be a significant bonus. Once you have amassed a decent file of examples - which wouldn't take too long by the sounds of it - go to HR and make a formal complaint presenting the evidence you've amassed. They are then duty bound to examine and rectify.
In reality, little will change but the process for you will be cathartic and you will have succeeded in putting a blot on these group of women's records so gaining a degree of retribution.
So, at the same time, polish up your CV and start the process of seeking new employment.
HTH and good luck.
What you've described is bullying - you've even mentioned it.
Go back to work and document everything you consider to be bullying - ignoring greetings, snide comments, making tea and not including you....everything. Date and time them. If you can get your friendly co-worker to do the same, that would be a significant bonus. Once you have amassed a decent file of examples - which wouldn't take too long by the sounds of it - go to HR and make a formal complaint presenting the evidence you've amassed. They are then duty bound to examine and rectify.
In reality, little will change but the process for you will be cathartic and you will have succeeded in putting a blot on these group of women's records so gaining a degree of retribution.
So, at the same time, polish up your CV and start the process of seeking new employment.
HTH and good luck.
ignoring greetings and not making tea for you is bullying now? grow a pair ffs.
As part of a wider pattern of behaviour, they most certainly are.
OldGermanHeaps said:
so put the shoe on the other foot, someone is a total and utter whiny torn faced lazy prick that you cant stand, and only tolerate because they work beside you, not making them tea is bullying?
If I got pulled up for that every cup of tea would be a special one.
If you're in a small team and one person offers to make everyone a cup of tea but not you and they do this regularly. How would that make you feel?If I got pulled up for that every cup of tea would be a special one.
If that person suggested a few drinks after work but didn't invite you, how would that make you feel?
If that person made unjustified snide comments about you behind your back, how would that make you feel?
As I mentioned previously, it's the pattern of behaviour that defines bullying rather than individual actions; the tea thing being just one example.
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