Job stuff

[lauren9317]

Do you go through phases where you feel fine at your job and other phases where you feel so out of it and like you don't fit in with your coworkers? I don't know why I get like this, maybe it's just my personality. But every few months I just don't feel like socializing with anyone and I'll wish that my workplace was just a quiet, dead place where everyone stayed at their seats and no one talked. We have daily meetings and if everyone's in a talkative, fun mood, oftentimes I'll be thinking "STFU everyone!!!" Lol. I don't know why I'm such a grump at work sometimes!

We had this bowling outing last night after work that was sponsored by one of our suppliers to thank my team for selling their stuff. I lied and told everyone my FIL was having a bday dinner so I could get out if it! I just have zero interest with socializing with my coworkers. And there is nothing wrong with them, they are nice. But I don't have a loud, talkative, competitive personality and I would rather get together with smaller groups of people. So at our morning meeting today, our boss said how when we have outing like that from sponsors, it is kind of mandatory that we go. Fuck that! I mean obviously he said how he'll give us beter notice next time and if we really can't go because of family or personal reasons then fine. But I still can't believe he said that about it being "kind of mandatory". I go to work from 8 AM until 530 PM and that is really all I want to take part in.

Oh and unless some of them are lying, apparently all 20+ members of my team just love the idea of hanging out with each other. They're always like "we want more team building activities!!!" And I just stay quiet. HA!

Thanks for the vent.

[moonstone523]

Yes, I get like that. It helps that I work remotely so I don't have to hang out too often.

I think you should talk to your manager about it though. I manage a team, and it is pretty obvious to me the people who aren't into socializing. I would never make an event outside of the normal workday mandatory. Also, if someone on my team came up to me and told me that something was making them feel uncomfortable, it is my job to address that concern.

[lauren9317]

Thanks, yeah if they get insistent on us definitely going to after-work activities I'll have to give them lip, lol. I'm sure it won't come to that. I hope!

[aegis2005]

I agree with Carolyn, if it makes you uncomfortable you should say something to your boss.

[sara76]

I feel ya about not always wanting to socialize with coworkers. I work with about 175 people and like about 25-30 tops. I don't care to team build with the other 150.

We have mandatory meetings every 6 months for new menu, and they always pay us for anything mandatory. I don't know if that is a legal requirement, and I know your complaint isn't about the money but about your time, but that is frustrating that they can say its mandatory and not compensate you in some way for your time.

I did a short gig telemarketing student loan consolidations and the day they started making mandatory overtime days the job started to suck even more. Even at time and a half. Life is too short sometimes.

[cop]

Part of my job is being available to do extra after hours stuff that is part work and part social.  At this point in my career, I am entitled to compensation for anything truly mandatory, but in a few years I will no longer get compensated but will still have to go.  I completely understand how you feel and because I'm an introvert who has to force herself to act extroverted in these situations, I find them exhausting.  There are times when I just want to crawl into bed and not to talk to anyone for 24 hours to recover from the overstimulation of being around too many people.

I think if you can talk to your boss about it the next time this comes up, I would.  You also commute quite a distance if I recall, so staying late to do mandatory bowling is a bit onerous.