Bitchy working environment..I am really struggling at work recently since my dept and another dept were put..?

into the same office due to redundancies. Up until 3 months ago I shared an office with one other guy. Then there were redundancies in the accounts dept, so they decided to put the three remaining accounts staff into the sales office. I now share the office with three of the most bitchy, shallow and vain women that I've ever met (I am also female). They are all slim (two are UK size 8 and one is a size 10) but they are constantly going on about how fat they are and what new diet they're on this week. They ***** about each other the minute one of them leaves the room, which makes me wonder what they say about me when I'm not there? Everything is a competition, who's got the biggest house,the richest husband, the newest car etc. These are all married women in their thirties (I am 25). The atmosphere is getting me down-I don't want to leave but I'm starting to dread coming to work every day. What would you do - I don't like confrontation so I haven't told any of them how I feel?

Thekosh - I am not downing women, I know that not all women are like this but the ones that I work with are.

I've been where you are. And, my suggestion is that you keep doing your work the best you can and begin an immediate job search. If these women are as competitive as you state, it won't be for too long when they will turn against you the minute a job competition comes up. All women are not mean. This could have happened if there were men...I've seen men also compete against each other with "I drive a BMW vs. whatever the other guy has". The consolidation of the department has probably made them even more edgy. But, if you know they are not supportive work mates, there may be a saboteur hissing around in that snake pit of yours. And, the mere fact that you are not the confrontational type makes you ripe for an attack (maybe they think you don't have the balls to fight back). Like I said...read the writing on the wall...get out and find somewhere else to work. Listen to your intuition...your gut...if you don't feel comfortable and wonder what they are saying behind your back, you may be right.

I wasn't speaking about you, Little Bo Peep. I understand what you mean.
And for those that gave me a thumbs down, sorry you can't handle the truth. It was sound advice without being immature. Don't any of you find it slightly oxymoronic to be a woman and saying that women are the worst? Report It

This is tough. I am 25 also and have always encountered this wherever I have worked. The best thing to do is to keep your head down and get on with your work. Don't feel tempted to engage in their conversation - it will do more harm than good! Trust me, I have been there frequently! Unfortuntely women are the worst people to work with, as they are so bitchy (even about the people they are "mates" with!). Finally, I wouldn't worry about people may say about you when you are not around - given what tese people are like, dos their opinion really matter to you?

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just smile because you know your better than them.
just let them get on with it

Unfortunately, you will find this everywhere there are women working. Just do you job. I know its hard when you are young to deal with these bitches, but hang in there. Here are a few suggestions:
Remember it will get worse before it gets better, but when one leaves and the other starts bad mouthing her, say "You know, I hope you don't talk about me when I'm not in the room."
Also, its funny they would talk about how rich their husbands are because the husbands are obviously not rich enough for either of them to stay home. That is probably why they are bitchy anyway.

well, they probably don't have time at home to talk too busy making sure the home life is nothing short of a miracle.... any way I would recommend that you either wear ear plugs or tell them to be quiet... (or bring in a radio -with the boss' permission of course)

Good luck!

I find it slightly offensive that people are downing women here. Especially, women who knock other women. Talk about unattractive and catty. If you aren't a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem. I am a woman, and I have worked in this environment just about everywhere I have been. I can tell you right now that it is not just women that do it.

As for the actual problem, do not engage in their gossip. It is a poison for a workplace, and it will eventually catch up to a them. Bosses see this behavior, and usually value the people that don't join their banter. If they try to suck you into joining a conversation, tell them that you are not interested in talking about people behind their backs.

Unfortunately, you can not stop them from complaining, but I can guarantee that if you say you don't want to join in on the gossip, you won't have to hear very much of the complaining anymore. They will feel leary of talking trash in your presence. I believe you will have to confront the situation one time, otherwise you will have to endure it. No easy way out on this one.

turn lemons into lemonade, constantly compliment them. If they insult each other, say things like well I kind of like that person. Accountants are a weird bunch of people. you need to get Fish, it is a book about the work environment. It includes Attitudes. Always have a great one. Attitudes can be contagious so don't catch theirs, let them catch yours. Always remember missery loves company. So don't fall for it. I was in a work invironment where everone was at odds with eat other and they were just plan rude to me for no reason. I made a consious desicion to be a positive person, I would walk into the building and say hi with a big smile on my face to the last person who said something horrible to me. I would ask how they were doing and if their children/husband were fine, add some small talk if nessasary, ext... One day one of the girls who was my equal told me, "they think you are a little nuts". I told her I don't care because I choose to make my work environment a good one. And even though I couldn't change everyone, I did make it a much better environment for my self and a few others. Some times it takes a while, but nothing worth having is easy. You can do it.
And neve tell them about their own negativity, that will cause deeper problems and then they might go to the boss about you and make you look bad, You just keep being positive.

I plug my earphones into the computer and pretend that I am listening to music. I get this annoying voiced creature that starts every morning with some asinine comment.

I hear you sister.
Peace