You are likely to spend more time per week with your work colleagues than anyone else in your life. That's just an uncomfortable truth.
Now, you probably get along with most of your co-workers, but we all have doubts about how well our personality is received by others.
You can't make friends with everyone, and this can be even more difficult in the workplace, where tensions can be high and egos clash.
There are ways of telling how well you are liked at work or not, and these are the negative signs that you should be looking out for.
- You are ignored
This is something that applies to most things in life. If people don't want to talk or engage, it's usually because they just don't like you.
Anything from not replying to emails, zero small talk or having virtually no eye contact is not a good indicator to your popularity.
A lack of "good morning" or "goodbye" at the end of the day probably doesn't bode well for you either.
- Gossip
Some people like gossip. Others don't, but like it or not the workplace is a breeding ground for discussions about somebody else.
Hushed conversations are usually at that tone for a reason. If you notice a lot of them happening around it's probably because they don't want you to hear what they are saying.
Even if it is good gossip or a bit of humour, they're clearly leaving you out of these conversations for one reason or the other.
- Bad vibes
Words aren't the only way someone can communicate their displeasure towards you. Body language is also a good signifier.
Eye rolls, sneers, avoiding you during lunch breaks or even a lack of a smile in your presence would suggest that they don't have a positive opinion of you.
Oh, and if you want to go for after work drinks, forget about it.
- Lack of trust
Do you sometimes find that your good ideas are often ignored and cast aside or even stolen?
How about certain individuals who are constantly checking in on you?
A lack of trust is probably at play here, which can evolve into a profound dislike.
International business speaker and author Michael Kerr is quoted by Business Insider UK on this issue:
"If it feels like someone shoots down every thought before you've even finished a sentence, then it's often because their dislike is so strong that they are biased against anything you suggest, even when it's a great idea."
- You're always in trouble
Do you constantly find that you are being called into the boss's office or being blamed for mistakes?
Your workmates might have it in for you so badly that they are grassing you up to the boss, which isn't a good place to be in at all.
This can also extend to managers, and if that's the case then there is a major problem in the works.
- Bad communication
Communication is key in the workplace, but if people don't like you then having a productive conversation can be difficult.
Talking down to you in a condescending or unfriendly manner or replying to you in a short tone isn't great.
Kerr adds:
"If they sound like a moody teenager, then that's a pretty big red flag."
Conversing via email is quite convenient in the digital age, but if this is happening on a regular basis and you work within touching distance then this should also be a worry.
- Assuming power
Despite not being your boss, some colleagues might act like they have some sort of special hold over you and that you have to also answer to them.
Even though they have a lack of authority they could be wishing to muscle you out of your position or potentially sabotage your career.
- Instinct
Sometimes you don't need a list of reasons for why someone doesn't like you.
Sometimes you can just tell right away. It's in your gut and there is no denying it.
You may notice that they act differently around others and you are never likely to see eye-to-eye.
Sadly, it's not a perfect world and not everyone can get along.
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