How do you engage socially in a dysfunctional work environment? (elementary school, living)

[autum50]

A coworker believes someone in the office posted something about her on the public bulletin board in the building. The office is all women. Due to everyone being accused, everyone kind of stays to themselves. I hate that type of work environment. I need help. What can I do to help coworkers trust again and engage socially?

[bowian]

If folks are going to be petty and dysfunctional, I would rather stay to myself anyway. So my advice would be to do nothing, because you may get caught in the middle. The Work/Employment forum may have more tips for you.

What was posted, by the way?

[autum50]

an arrest that happened when she was young.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by autum50

A coworker believes someone in the office posted something about her on the public bulletin board in the building. The office is all women. Due to everyone being accused, everyone kind of stays to themselves. I hate that type of work environment. I need help. What can I do to help coworkers trust again and engage socially?

Are you a manager? This might be easier if you are, but you may want to do some team building exercises. Sometimes people need to interact outside the realms of the office before they break down their walls. There are a lot of activities that can be done, including bowling, volleyball, a cookout with games, potluck. Just anything that gets people away from their desk and as long as you include some activities that include teamwork.

[bowian]

Originally Posted by autum50

an arrest that happened when she was young.

Wow. I think the group needs a good talking to about appropriate and inappropriate behavior at the office, with the message that the inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. That is the job of the head manager, director, etc. It is inappropriate and immature to post employee information on the bulletin board that is negative and unrelated to work. Once the boundaries are reinforced by management, then the incident will eventually blow over.

[armory]

Originally Posted by pgtvatitans

Are you a manager? This might be easier if you are, but you may want to do some team building exercises. Sometimes people need to interact outside the realms of the office before they break down their walls. There are a lot of activities that can be done, including bowling, volleyball, a cookout with games, potluck. Just anything that gets people away from their desk and as long as you include some activities that include teamwork.

This is what teachers do with kids in elementary school. The workplace is supposed to be populated by adults. Let them work it out themselves and dismiss any troublemakers.
If it be a government office setting the problem lingers as federal employees are near impossible to fire.

In that case the elementary school approach makes sense as their mindsets aren't much more advanced.

[psychofan]

My approach to this situation is "MYOB - Mind your own business."

It's a job. You're there to earn a living not to make friends. If you hate that type of work environment then leave. It's obvious that everyone else is fine putting up with that setting as they're still working there, so why do you think it's your responsibility to needle them to change? Leave it up to management and HR to deal with it, stay out of it or risk making it worst with your involvement. If that happens, you would either implicitly or explicitly be assigned the blame for the toxic environment and potentially risk losing your job. Nothing good will come out of being a nosey busy body.

[autum50]

I'm not the manager. It has been turned over to HR to handle. In the meanwhile, the person is going through and calls in sick a lot. Thus, I don't see much that is being done. It's an awkward situation and sense, I'm in the office also, I just wondered if I can be of some help.

[bowian]

Originally Posted by autum50

I'm not the manager. It has been turned over to HR to handle. In the meanwhile, the person is going through and calls in sick a lot. Thus, I don't see much that is being done. It's an awkward situation and sense, I'm in the office also, I just wondered if I can be of some help.

Yes, HR should handle it, in conjunction with the manager. However, HR doesn't often do well (or do anything) in these situations. If you get involved, it will lead to resentment. If you feel it will help, perhaps just trying saying hello or being cordial with the person involved, as if nothing happened. That may be helpful to her.

It doesn't sound like the nicest place to work.