[In a dilemma]

Should I leave my job? Crowded, dreary, dingy office spaces. Office mates managing their family dramas by phone every day, in emotional fits. Sub-standard job performance by co-workers making me appear to be an over-achiever, when I am merely doing my job in a quiet, diligent and dependable manner. Ineffective and unproductive communication between departments which necessitate accountability. Willfull employees bent on creating and perpetuating social unrest in the workplace, keeping the Manager putting out fires, stealing momentum from her leading the team upward and onward. "Old Guarde" employees jockeying for power instead of using their strengths to promote a positive and supportive agenda. No benefits or paid Holidays except Christmas and New Years. The advantages of remaining, despite the things mentioned: close to home, casual office wear, good employee discount, flexible schedule when needed. Don't want to de-stabilize the management team by leaving with out a viable replacement. Please, only thoughtful and useful responses appreciated.

[redvelvet709]

Originally Posted by In a dilemma

Should I leave my job? Crowded, dreary, dingy office spaces. Office mates managing their family dramas by phone every day, in emotional fits. Sub-standard job performance by co-workers making me appear to be an over-achiever, when I am merely doing my job in a quiet, diligent and dependable manner. Ineffective and unproductive communication between departments which necessitate accountability. Willfull employees bent on creating and perpetuating social unrest in the workplace, keeping the Manager putting out fires, stealing momentum from her leading the team upward and onward. "Old Guarde" employees jockeying for power instead of using their strengths to promote a positive and supportive agenda. No benefits or paid Holidays except Christmas and New Years. The advantages of remaining, despite the things mentioned: close to home, casual office wear, good employee discount, flexible schedule when needed. Don't want to de-stabilize the management team by leaving with out a viable replacement. Please, only thoughtful and useful responses appreciated.

Well, aside from the fact that you just described office environments everywhere really, you have not indicated what your life is like, are there kids you are raising, do you have enough money stashed to live on in case you can't find another for awhile, etc, etc.

Just because we dislike our work environment is not a good reason to just quit. Especially in the current economic climate. We all have to put on the big kid pants and do what is best for our families and ourselves. So unless you have another job to go to or tons of money stashed somewhere, stick it out while you look for something else.
But please keep in mind--all offices are going to have dramas and complacent people.

[linicx]

I think you can say many of the the same things of any group that works together whether it is volunteer, church, professional, restaurants, or a paid position. You will find tattle-tales, bullies, favoritism, drama queens, anxiety, etc.. The ones who grease the squeaky wheel is the quiet, plain Jane or Joe, who rises above the noise and does their job. A good boss does notice these things.

A trick I use is is an earbud to listen to music. Another trick is a discreetly placed fan. The subtle noise helps to disrupt the cacophony around me. Earplugs help too unless you spend a lot of time answering phones. I didn't. It is much easier to find a job while you are working.

[debzkidz]

I have, nor has my husband, ever quit a job without another already lined up, and set in stone. I mean, we do not quit until all our background checks and drug tests are cleared. Anything can happen. We have both had some miserable jobs but we never quit until we had someplace better to go.

[linicx]

^^^ Great advice!

[#1soonerfan]

Sounds like the vast majority of any white collar office environment.

If its making you miserable, obviously start looking for a new job (as debzkidz brings up do not leave a job without lining up one first)

If its just annoying, tough it out for a little while longer. Maybe get a hobby or find another de-stressing activity so you have something to look forward to after the workday.

Understand if you leave for another job, you may be jumping from the fire to the frying pan. EVERY job will have some level of BS will you have to tolerate.

[badhornet]

Sounds like your standard office fare, so it's not unique what your going through. The choice is yours, but don't leave unless you have another job lined up

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Glad to know I'm not alone in this type of experience!