Tired Of Working With People Who Have Awful Attitudes

I've worked for a state agency for the past 8 years and I'm really ready for a change. The pay is great ($75k/yr) and it's a typical desk job reviewing documents and doing analytical work. I have no problem with the job itself, and it is very stable. What I do have a problem with is about 80% of the people I share the office with. Their attitudes are horrendous.

Our boss is frequently out of the office and when he's gone, the guy who sits next to me complains about everything. His complaints consist of something along the lines of "they don't pay us enough," " this job is stupid," "I could make so much more money working at X company," "I don't care about what I'm doing," etc. I get to listen to a neverending stream of negativity from this guy.

The guy who sits next to that person comes in late, takes long lunches, leaves early, and plays with his cell phone for half of the day when the boss is gone.

There is also a lot of infighting and gossip among my coworkers. A third person who I work with will readily trash the boss and the company but when the boss enters the room, it's all smiles.

My boss favors me because I'm not into drama, stay focused, and get the job done efficiently and accurately. I've gotten excellent performance reviews, raises, and I've gotten compliments from my boss on my positive attitude. This has made some of my coworkers very jealous, and I've experienced them trying to undermine me by taking credit for work I've done or trying (and failing) to make me look bad.

I just focus on the work, remain polite to everyone regardless of their attitudes, and remind myself that I'm there to get a job done and try not let others' negativity affect me.

It is hard sometimes when you sit just a few feet away from negative people for 8 hours a day. I've read about "terminal rats" in trucking, and I think that's what my coworkers are.

I love hard work, solitude, taking cross-country driving trips alone, and I get the impression that there are bad attitudes among the truckers but that you only deal with the negative person for a matter of minutes and then you are on your own. Is that correct? If so, that would be much more pleasant than being in close quarters with "rats" all day.

My plan is to stay at this job long enough to lock into the pension (2 more years) and then leave. I'm considering making a career change to trucking.

Smile and then smile some more. Abuse them with positivity, eventually some of them will wear down just by your presence. For every negative you hear give them a bright side to the circumstance. The ones who want someone to agree with them will eventually stop sharing their bs and complaints with you and find a new ear to bend. Some will start smiling too, some wont.

the guy who sits next to me complains about everything. His complaints consist of something along the lines of "they don't pay us enough," " this job is stupid," "I could make so much more money working at X company," "I don't care about what I'm doing," etc. I get to listen to a neverending stream of negativity from this guy.

Then stay away from any Truck Stop lunch counter, driver's lounge, or practically every Terminal in the Country. This industry is full of "That Guy". We call those people "Terminal Rats.

On a more serious note. Welcome to the TT Forum. Vast resources here. Someone will show up shortly and post the "Starter Kit" for you. Good luck.

Unfortunately trucking has a lot of negative people, the good news is you can at least stay away from them for the most part.

True. There are some negative Nelly's out there but, I like the fact that they are a small part of what we have to deal with. Most of the time is alone time. No need to listen to anyone but yourself and your horrible singing voice for long periods of time.

True. There are some negative Nelly's out there but, I like the fact that they are a small part of what we have to deal with. Most of the time is alone time. No need to listen to anyone but yourself and your horrible singing voice for long periods of time.

Hey RD: When did you hear me sing?

LOL! Bruce. I figure it's a common affliction in this industry.

LOL! Bruce. I figure it's a common affliction in this industry.

Based on hearing it every day over the CB I'd say that's a very accurate statement

"Hearing it on the CB..." Oh gosh, yes!

Sorry for getting off point there, Bob. What you said about how you approach your current job: your positive attitude, your focus on detail and accuracy...those will all help to make you successful in this industry. As Brett always stresses, "It's a performance based industry". The only thing that will hold you back is you.