Being a Gen Z, I have faced the good times and the awful chapters but ultimately those moments are the ones which shapes you to whom you are as an individual today. I have been working immediately after college and I had a fair share of working experience coming from someone who works freelance events and jobs. For starters, I am a Mass Communication graduate hence entering in such a field allows me to expand my skills to succeed in the media industry. Its very common for every work that you work in any field, there will be this one annoying worker which can dimmish company's morale and affecting the mood of others. We simply cannot prevent anyone from acting in such a bratty way but the way we react when things happen does make a difference. Here are some signs that your co-workers secretly hate you:
Your instinct will tell you
I used to work for this Pilates studio in Penang for 3 months before moving on to my current job. I was working as a Social Media Content Creator. The pay was pretty decent even though I knew I deserve better. Upon entering the company, no one greeted me at all. Immediately I felt some sense of loneliness until some instructors came in. Mind you the boss wasn't around at that time as she was away in KL. They started asking me questions like “What am I doing here?” " Why am I here?" I explained to them who am I and I was suppose to report to work on that day. They were very puzzled and tried to call my manager but no avail. I felt my instinct was telling me that I was going to suffer mentally working there but mindset decided to sweep the negative thoughts and working my butts off (honestly a 🚩 here). In the end my manager came in around 4:45pm which was 15 minutes before my work ends for the day and I ended up doing my own work (I wasn't even explained about the company's culture, I had to do my own research). Even the moment she entered the working desk, she was not pleased to see me at all and had this dirty look as if I was a threat to her (as if she did extensive research about me on social media). From that day onwards, I didn't talk much to her and starting distancing. It felt like walking on egg shells whenever I see her.
You have been gaslighted in whatever you do
My time working in the company has also taught me, no matter how excellent you perform, your co-workers will blame you (even though its not your mistakes), Back then I used to get blame a lot for not performing well even though I submitted my works (double triple checking) before the submission day. Even though I mention that all criteria has been followed adding a twist of creativity, my manager still work her ways to blame me (mind you she's 1 year older than me). She always mentions on how I copied her work and creative style even though there were no signs and evidence in all her social media platforms (more like plagiarize). I stood up and showed her proof only to be called a conflicted child with mental health which my parents shouldn't give birth to and be better off. I simply ignore her implying indirectly that I'm not going to spend time listening to her offensive, negative comment.
You have been left out by your colleagues
I always bring my own home-cooked food to work and this has led to conflicts. Although bringing home cooked food allows me to save more money, but I didn't know that my co-workers had some other sneaky plans. Whenever there is any lunch outing, I was never invited out at all. I was always instructed to take care of the studio while everyone is away for hours. Just imagine if something happens, all the blame will be shifted to me and there is no turning back. There is one time where I didn't bring my food and I even asked if I could follow out, only to be shouted a big fat “NO”. Even when my boss drops by at the studio, when it comes to ordering food I often get missed out even I asked if I could order. I didn't have my lunch for the whole day and no one took notice at all (happens a lot while I was working there). That day was the worst day as all I could eat for dinner was McDonalds. Just when things should have been getting better, I receive an angry message from manager saying that I was trying to show off how skinny I was and withstand not eating the whole day. She even told me that I don't deserve my lunch break and instructed not to join any lunch outings as I was very quiet and I don't bring value to the dining table as much as my work. Again, I tuned her off.
Your skills are being undermined
As someone who has years of experience in photography, I would like to bring it onto the table. As we had an upcoming event, my naive self decided to ask my manager. This conversation goes as below (not exposing real name due to privacy):
Me: J, can I bring my camera during the event to snap some shots?
J: May I know which camera you are using at the moment?
Me: My camera model is the Fujifilm XT100.
J: NO CANNOT….MY CAMERA QUALITY AND YOURS IS NOT THE SAME…IF YOU BRING YOURS, I HAVE TO EDIT EVERYTHING TO MATCH THE SAME PICTURE QUALITY AS MY CAMERA (she was screaming at me and her camera was a Canon M200)
Me: Then I just use your camera on that day right?
J: YES (while scoffing)….AND YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE YOURS…IF I CATCH YOU USING YOURS, I WISH YOU HELL AND DEATH (sorry I wish you dead first)
This short conversation clearly shows that she must have authority over everything and not giving me a chance to showcase my skills. I still brought my camera while using hers. Upon using her camera, I noticed her camera memory has already full. Curiosity kills so I check out the pictures and boy oh boy…there many naked pictures of her. My eyes seriously to be cleanse with holy water and I seriously lose all my respect for someone like her. I told her off that your camera memory is full and should consider to invest another SD card, only to be told off “SHUT UP” loudly in the event. She never liked if anyone told her off and she was having doubts on me, trying to outsmart her. The main climax came when it was time to upload all the photos which I took secretly from my camera. She was furious until she almost flip the table, starting cussing the fact she had to edit more than 1000 pictures during the event. I just stare and laughed at her, it was fun seeing her suffering.
Where AM I based now???
Basically I had resigned from the Pilates Studio and quickly moved on to this job which was event marketer. I felt more respected as a human being and treated equally despite the age gap. Furthermore, my salary was higher triple than before and I was enjoying my working life without being judged 24/7. I don't regret a single inch resigning from the toxic place. I don't have to worry that I have to walk on egg shells while communicating with my colleagues. As for my former colleagues, they came out & apologize, only for me to tell them die and make this world a better place. I think they only regretted their actions after seeing how successful am I in booking my clients for photography but I couldn't careless about those people and I wish them rot in hell.
What are some red flags do you noticed about your colleagues? How do you manage to keep compose and have peace? Share your thoughts here!
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