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I started my job 2 months ago and since day one I can't stop hearing about the person I replaced. It is a very small office and they were very well liked and good at the job, and were there for less than a year. I enjoy my coworkers and don't believe they do it to hurt me at all, and are likely unaware that it makes me uncomfortable.
The job by itself is very challenging and is outside of my skillset so I have had a steep learning curve. I also deal with depression and anxiety so the transition has not been easy. I have accepted that I am not the person I replaced, and that with time I will step out of that shadow. But how do I deal with the constant reminders? I don't want to confront the staff but I want them to know that it's hard for me to hear praise about the old employee when I feel like I'm really struggling with my basic job duties.
I'm sorry I don't have advice, except to maybe learn as much as you can as fast as you can, but I have been in your shoes.
I was so impressed with the interviews I had and how nice they were to me, that I accepted the position. Mistake, I did not have enough of the skills for the position, my resume was not embellished, so not sure why I was hired (this was years ago when jobs were much easier to find).
The person who had the job before I did, was still with the company and trained me (although you knew she hated doing that part of it), but she had been put on a pedestal by the company and was just short of a God.
They had paid for her to go back to school, where she received straight A+'s.
I bailed after 3 months, 98% of the reason was that I just didn't have the experience for the job.
It can be hard for staff to when a long time experienced employee who was well liked leaves. Many people get comfortable and do not like change. Change brings on the unknown when things were in a position they knew what to expect day to day, And its gone now. Your co workers are basically venting because of how the change could affect them, With no idea that its making you uncomfortable. However this will not go on forever. Once a point of acceptance and realization is reached that this is how it is now it will ease. Focus on excelling at the job, Treat people with respect (As it sounds like you are already) and you will have no trouble. It's this settling in period that coupled with the mechanics of the job itself that are tough in the beginning.
I can use an example from my own work life. 3 years ago I had my co-worker who I worked with for years and was great to work with and an ace at her job leave, And it caused some anxiety for me. (We are a 2 person department) Over a period of about a year or so I went through several people who were not good or just passable until someone joined my team who is there for years now and is really great. This is an example of the anxiety change can cause in a staffing situation. I found myself saying "We used to do it like this" in regards to certain things like scheduling, communication etc. I had to get used to the change overall. Its human nature.
You are 2 months in, Hang in there, stay focused-They will accept it in a short while.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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This is a difficult situation, and my advice is to "roll with it." In other words, don't try to fight it, and in time your work will demonstrate that you are as good or better. Oddly I had the opposite experience when hired here, the two people before me in the position had both been fired for incompetence and I heard all about it often from people in our group as well as other departments.
It can be hard for staff to when a long time experienced employee who was well liked leaves. Many people get comfortable and do not like change. Change brings on the unknown when things were in a position they knew what to expect day to day, And its gone now. Your co workers are basically venting because of how the change could affect them, With no idea that its making you uncomfortable. However this will not go on forever. Once a point of acceptance and realization is reached that this is how it is now it will ease. Focus on excelling at the job, Treat people with respect (As it sounds like you are already) and you will have no trouble. It's this settling in period that coupled with the mechanics of the job itself that are tough in the beginning.
I can use an example from my own work life. 3 years ago I had my co-worker who I worked with for years and was great to work with and an ace at her job leave, And it caused some anxiety for me. (We are a 2 person department) Over a period of about a year or so I went through several people who were not good or just passable until someone joined my team who is there for years now and is really great. This is an example of the anxiety change can cause in a staffing situation. I found myself saying "We used to do it like this" in regards to certain things like scheduling, communication etc. I had to get used to the change overall. Its human nature.
You are 2 months in, Hang in there, stay focused-They will accept it in a short while.
The OP said the person they replaced was in the position less than a year, hardly long term.
Quote:
Originally Posted by timberline742
Don't say anything. Just smile when they bring up the old person and do your job well.
This. Just continue to do your best.
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