Bullying update ... it's getting unbearable

[ciaraciara]

Some of you may remember my question about the trouble I was having at work with a bully. Well, far from things improving, they've gotten much worse. Now, instead of one girl picking one me, the four girls on my line have turned against me and singled me out. It all stemmed from one or two incidences where somebody said something and I didn't hear so asked what was said, or I said something which everybody seemed to think was stupid. So from that I've gotten the reputation of being stupid and a laughing stock.

Here's just one example. The conversation turned to rape for some reason and there's a gay guy who works on our floor. So one co-worker said to ask him to find out what rape by another man felt like. I replied that it would't be classified as rape because he's gay so he'd obviously enjoy having sex with another man, where the co-worker was suggesting that just because he would be having sex with another man that it would automatically be rape. Then (which has become the automatic reaction to anything I say) ALL of the girls turned around and looked at me with "what the hell has she said now" expressions and one of them was like "Oh my God what did she say now?" and I explained my point, and as usual they all just dismissed it and said it didn't make any sense, even though it makes perfect sense to me(?) Another day I was on the phone to my friend near the girls and I used the word "surreal." When I went back to sit with them, they were all mocking me saying "it was SURREAL" and they actually haven't dropped it since. They're like, "who uses the word surreal?" I thought it was quite a common word to be honest. They think that I think I'm posh which is completely hilarious seeing as I would have been known as a bogger in college and I definitely don't have airs and graces about myself. I used the expression "spag bol" and I say am and pm after times instead of saying in the morning or in the evening, which they seem to think makes me posh also. Basically it's come to a point where everything I say is met with them laughing in my face and shaking their heads, and not in a nice way.

They are organising a night out soon and invited me, which I don't really understand because why would I want to spend any more time than is absolutely necessary with them.

It wouldn't be so bad if it was just the four girls, but the fact that everybody else on the floor can hear what's going on is really humiliating. They must be wondering why everybody thinks I'm such an idiot and assume there's good reason for it. It has really broken my confidence. I cried for a full hour last night and my sister advised me to leave the job as it's not worth this much grief. There are two weeks left in my contract, which may seem like a short time but will be torture for me if this continues. I feel like the girls have united against me, that even if they don't necessarily love eachother, they have me as the common denominator that holds them together because obviously I'm providing their entertainment. The factory where I work, if it's not clear already, is a place where any inkling of gossip travels like wildfire, so if I was to quit on the grounds of bullying, EVERYONE would know about it. I know I shouldn't care what they think, and I don't; it's just that if I knew that the situation would be dealt with properly, I'd tell without hesitation. But i know that all that it would do is generate a week's worth of gossip for them all, and of course they'll say it was only banter and they were only having a laugh. As well as that, I need the money from this job and it's so unfair if I am forced to leave because these girls are acting like they're in primary school. Because it's true, the last time I can remember such childish behaviour is in primary school. It's not an option for me to switch areas as the area I'm working in now has the only available work. I just don't know what to do. It's such a horrible situation and I'm at a loss. Please help.

[Greedyfly]

You can either try to ignore it and not let it get you down. Just be co-workers with them and avoid personal relationships or leave. You could report the behaviour to your boss/HR but often in cases like this it will eventually make the whole situation worse. If you leave and they know why what does it matter? They already have the 'satisfaction' of knowing they are getting to you so what would it matter if they knew you left because of it? At least you had the guts to realise your worth more than putting up with crap like that regardless of how childish it is.

[Greedyfly]

I didn't see that you were leaving in a fortnight. In that case I would just ride it out like the other posters say. Two weeks is nothing in the scheme of things. But it is your choice if it's too much then leave. Don't go out on the night out either, it won't be any different.

[brenda]

Two weeks to go-----chin up , just plod on to the end.Keep out of long discussions ,just say something like "have to think about that when I have got time".Do not go on the night out -- you may be exposing yourself to risk.

When you leave , just walk away with your head held high, and pride in yourself for having done it.Good luck.

[ladyalex]

Don't go on the night out, BUT for any favour , please do not say to them 'I'm not coming on your night out because you're all being horrible to me.'
Just tell them you have other plans for that evening.
If nothing else this job has given you some extra money and perhaps given you a little insight into the real world of work which some people have to cope with forever. Be glad that for you a factory production line is a temporary option.