If you are having trouble getting along with colleagues, you may find the quality of your working life suffers. A negative office atmosphere can be extremely stressful and tiring. Sometimes things can get so bad that employees are forced into considering a change of company, or maybe even a change of career, but there are ways of approaching the problem so it is not an ongoing issue.
What is the problem?
Is it because of the way they behave professionally, or personally? Perhaps you find their approach to work disagreeable or don't work well with them. You might take exception to some of the personal views they hold or they take exception to yours.
If your dislike is based on professional problems, you could attempt to solve the issue by having a friendly word in their ear. Often in an enclosed office atmosphere, negative feelings can quickly grow out of proportion - if you take the time to explain your grievance, you may find the object of our distaste is more reasonable than you had thought. Members of staff are often surprised to hear they have been the cause of someone else’s misery and quickly resolve to change.
Remember that one of the keys to performing efficiently is good teamwork so it could be that animosity is causing your work to suffer. You don’t want your boss to think you are lacking in social skills or aren’t making an effort to build a strong team, so it is important to take swift, remedial action.
Solving the problem
If the situation can no longer be salvaged by a quiet word, there are alternatives. Why do you think these problems are occurring? Is it a basic clash of personalities that simply won’t disappear?
One possibility is to request a transfer to another team if applicable to you. In this case it is probably best not to mention that you can’t stand the sight of your present colleagues but rather to tactfully explain to your boss, that you feel you need a slight change of direction. If this is not an option then speak to a senior member of staff or HR, they may be best placed to advise you.
Does the problem really lie with your co-workers?
Every year thousands of workers come to the conclusion that they have been working in the wrong industry and seek to make a major break. Perhaps you don’t like your colleagues because you simply don’t like the mentality that is required for success in that particular field. If this is the case it is time to fully assess your career options and consider making a change for the better.