The way this agency is set up, or my position, I would not qualify for unemployment benefits if I am ever let go.

No, they have their site supervisor. (the #1 person that talks about me) They're in education and I'm in social services. We should be working together to help provide services to our families. I feel like I am on my own and every time I get slapped down by one of them for something somewhere. I'm not perfect, I have made mistakes but I own up to those mistakes. Ive only bee here 5 or 6 months, and the rules are constantly changing. We work with the county and my job is to keep up with those changes, since they as education are out teaching the children. We're each to do our part.

Thanks for the pick me up. It's nice to hear advice from people outside of the situation who are unemotional and unattached. It gives great perspective.

:thumbup::thumbup: Great advice.

I have been there too, although I didn't last 30 years. Things never improved for me, but I toughed it out until another door opened for me. I could live with coworkers not liking me, but I had a very hard time with them getting in the way of my work.

I'm just seeing this. I'm so sorry.:( Those people are just cruel and heartless. Don't quit! That's my advice. Try to toughen up, because that is what you're going to have to do in this world. I say don't quit, because that is what they want you to do. Don't hand it to them on a silver platter.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: A woman (person) after my own heart!!!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

...and she has a wonderful sense of humor.:D

Just in case - for future reference and in case you ever lose your job, keep precise notes of dates and times of things that have happened and when you have reported them to your manager; also, make notes of your manager's responses. This could be your protection.

Boopster and Buster Brown -- great advice!

You don't...silly, that is just what they want! You are such a bright girl and all you need to do is ignore them, do your work the best you can and always, always, always keep your chin up and a smile on your face!:)

Them seeing you with your chin up and a smile on your face will impress them that inspite of their comments you stuck it out and...did your job!

Making friends may come later...but, at least those who are watching and not making snide remarks will admire your determination!

Hugs! :love-hug1

So have you tried a one-on-one with the site supervisor? Sounds like she's the ringleader and the others wouldn't follow along if she wasn't egging them on.

If you haven't, why not get her to go to lunch with you somewhere away from the office. Then, in a collegial way, put it all on the table. Tell her you know your business relationship got off to a bad start, and that if you have done anything to cause it, you apologize for your part in it. (I've found that vague apologies like this work wonders for breaking the ice without admitting any guilt, and frequently catch people off-guard.)

It sounds like part of your job is to support their teaching effort by keeping the county off their backs - is that right? So tell her how you see what you do supporting their efforts and making them look like the superstars they surely are. And ask what you can do to mend the broken relationship and help in their efforts. Be prepared with a calm response in case her answer is hostile -- such as "I'm sorry you feel that way, but I hope I can someday prove to you that I'm not the enemy." If she says "quit" - then you've probably got a recalcitrant bi*ch on your hands and all you can do is watch your back while you continue to do your best work.

You might be surprised to find that they have some preconceived fears that you can lay to rest or you might even have unconsciously done something to add to the animosity that you can correct. Or it could just be a toxic environment that management has allowed to happen and there's nothing you can do to fix it - you just have to hang in there until the economy improves and you can leave them in the dust while you find a better position.

I used to get so frustrated when I saw incompetent or just plain nasty people allowed to get away with their behavior and sometimes even get promotions and raises. Having been in the working world for ages, I can tell you that it eventually does catch up with most of them. I can't tell you how many I have seen pressured to resign or just plain fired when times got tough or there was a senior management change. The responsible and productive workers who don't get involved in drama are usually the last ones to go if for no other reason than that no one else wants to do that amount of work.

I'm so sorry Suzana :( I don't really have any advise....but if you need the job and can stand to wait it out while searching for a BETTER job, just kill them with kindness :D

That's what my supervisor said. So I try. :) But sometimes it just gets to me, especially when they're on a rampage and are constantly berating me. He knows, and wants me to email him confidentially when something happens. I'm so sad he's not going to be my direct supervisor anymore. He had me and the education supervisor have a sit down chat a few months ago. She at that time declared that she was just confused about her responsibilities since she was a brand new supervisor. But... my work friends tell me she's been raising hell for a while. Some parents in the program don't like her because she's mean, and never words things in a way that doesn't hurt feelings. (I usually take the time to go back and calm parents down, telling them how stressed the ed. super is and that she doesn't mean to be so blunt and cold)

Sounds like this has been going on for awhile and one thing you might want to do, is take a step back and review what all has gone on. You said there were some errors made etc. Could they have been discussing those and not really you... don't allow yourself to get a chip on your shoulder, and read more into it that there is... I think like one of the others suggested, ask to speak with them.. I would do it one on one...ask what you can do to bridge the gap. If you get negative responses, you will at least know where you stand with them and then I would get a radio for my space and play it instead of allowing myself to be torn apart from gossip, while I performed my job to the best of my ability... during the talks, stay very upbeat, and professional, and don't give them anything they could turn around and use against you...I am now waiting to start my new job, due to leaving my job because of this same situation, the problem was the agent was the one that loved to do the belittling...guess she felt she wrote the check so she could do as she pleased..After leaving and interviewing with other agents... I found out she had quite the reputation of being the B**** wish I knew this before taking the job..

I was going to reply but you said it all so beautifully & just what I was thinking, so I am just going to say ..... DITTO!!!!

DvlshAngel -- Just keep doing what you do -- respect yourself and that is all you can do for now. Eventually, the naysayers will have no leg to stand on. You have some wonderful goals. Don't let anything deter you. So many are searching for their higher purpose and you have found one. I really admire what you are doing!

We have sat down one on one to talk about it, my current supervisor (Assistant Director) mediated the meeting. We "work" fine together, we get things done, and I try to be as pleasant as humanly possible. But... even after that their personal feelings are what they are. I doubt anything I do or say short of disappearing will change any of that.

Short from calling out names and pointing fingers, this is the best way I can describe it. They are flowers, out in the open and interacting with all the elements. I am a pot, in the background making sure everything is that is needed is there as well as offering support. They were saying today that those workers that are playing the role of flower and pot are way better off than those, like at my assigned site where there is someone to play the pot and someone to play the flower. What they fail to realize is that you can't be both the pot and the flower. Each is a different role and when you combine the two, one or the other suffers. In real life, those that are playing roles of education and social services are neglectful of the social services role. They do not have the time to attend the meetings to make sure all proceedings are in accordance with the county, they do not have the time to drive a family to go get food donations or clothes that are much needed (I've done this a few times), and they are not available during the summer and winter since they are off on vacation like all the other teachers. I work year-round, on Christmas Eve, and New Years Eve they don't. I'm not complaining, but they fail to see that is also the time when families go into crisis (not enough money or food) and I'm there to help. This past December, I passed along the gift the agency gave me to a family in need.