First, thank you all for the warm welcome. I hope my entries are entertaining enough that I will have regular readers. I know I look forward to your postings.
Happy Tuesday and another day at work survived. It was hard to return to work after being off for 10 days. I was so tired this morning that I forgot half my lunch and ended going for fast food. I did remember breakfast so there's at least that.
A few of you have asked about work and suggested that you all could offer advice. So I am going to take you up on it.
I have been with the same company for 29 years with most of those years in a position that required frequent travel. At age 51, and the kids getting older, I decided to get off the road. I applied for a new position and while I wanted a promotion, I was offered a lateral transfer because I "would be receiving other benefits in form of bonus pay." Well that didn't happen. I am now working on a 6 person team and I am the only female. I am also the longest tenured but most junior in the team. Over the last several years, I have worked with 3 of the 5 men and always enjoyed the time. Now, I am odd person out. I am not included in lunch outings and not asked if I want to go "grab some coffee." When they have to show me around the new systems, it is as if it is a big imposition. I sit in my cubical with little interaction while they all talk about their weekends and home improvement projects. I have interjected into the conversation but silence is returned or they turn back to their computers. Others on other teams have noticed the cold treatment and and I have followed their advice but there has been no change.
I am at a loss. I have a countdown going to my earliest retirement point. I remind myself that I am home for dinner with the family every night. I remind myself that I shouldn't care that they don't like me, that I like me and I will continue to do my job to the best of my ability. But it's sad and lonely. I am slowly making friends with others in the office. That will help eventually.
So going full circle, when I forgot my lunch, I walked over to the food court to pick up a chicken sandwich. I ended up walking by the guys eating their lunch. I just smiled, waved and went on.
While I had an unplanned expenditure, I kept the cost down by only getting the sandwich and having water to drink. It was healthier than doing a meal with fries and a soda. 😄
Any suggestions on improving workplace stress would be greatly appreciated.
Day Two (& back at work)
January 3rd, 2017 at 11:41 pm
January 3rd, 2017 at 11:50 pm 1483487436
January 4th, 2017 at 12:11 am 1483488708
January 4th, 2017 at 03:29 am 1483500594
If it helps...You are not alone. The behaviour exhibited by the group does not reflect on you in any way. There have been endless studies on this issue because it is extremely difficult for an individual to become accepted into a long standing, well established group. Any group... It is important to be cordial but professional. Do your job as well as you can, interacting when necessary. I hope you can organize your activities to be eligible for the next bonus available. Focus on the work itself. What is the criteria for bonuses? Is there any information in your job description? Can your supervisor or others, not affiliated with the group of five offer details? You handled the lunch walk-by beautifully. If weather allows, go for a walk at lunch, good for health and digestion. Take you job satisfaction points where you can find them like work done well, small bits of praise, no arduous travel, stress of being 'on the road,' spending more time with family and friends etc. Hopefully you can express your frustration here, where it's safe to vent.
January 5th, 2017 at 04:08 am 1483589288
January 10th, 2017 at 09:16 pm 1484082961