Why do some people in the office get away with being rude while others get reprimanded?

Why do some people in the office get away with being rude while others get reprimanded? I have noticed management picks and chooses who to call out and it’s not cool. This is over stuff like speaker phones, talking loudly, just being disruptive in general. It seems like management does not care. It’s the favored workers who get away with bad manners. I am looking to get out, but I hear similar complaints about other offices.

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8 Comments

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  1. Soph

    Unfortunately this is pretty common.

  2. Anonymous

    More than likely they are friends with them or they have longevity with the company and allow the behavior. I'm certain others have complained as well. I would point that out that the person did the same, make sure you have witnesses to confirm. If not, I wouldn't bring it up. I also wouldn't let that bother me, but focus on not behaving in that way yourself. You can't allow others to get you so frustrated about something that you can't control and quit your jo. That's what they want you to do, you have allowed them to win if you do.

  3. Anonymous

    This is experienced at every office but at different points on the spectrum.
    Just try to find a happy medium you can tolerate. You will drive yourself nuts trying to find an environment void of these things bc it takes time to learn the people and the dynamics in the environment, focus less on them and be selfish enough to focus on you. Write a list of 10 things you want in a work place and what you want to ge5 out if it, like growth, promotion, to be heard, when you go on interviews you need to be also interviewing that workplace to find out more in what that place can offer you. Post interview ask to do a walk around with a future peer level staff and observe the environment. Do people look happy or miserable. Do they look relaxed or anxious for their next break. Ask the person about their journey in their environment, if you are made any offer try to accomplish this before accepting to get as much upfront info to help u decide, even if it has to be virtual.

  4. Anonymous

    In every single area of life there developes a hierarchy. A pecking order establishes itself. It is human nature and happens organically.

  5. JJ

    Poor culture.

  6. Anonymous

    I see it happen in my office.
    The supervisor and another king time employee foster a toxic culture. Others follow suit but in a less extreme way. They’ve all worked together for years. Very few new hires stay long. And the ones that do have been converted to being a core Mean Girl/Guy. But become the clique has been unwavering for years, no one gets called out. People just sulk when they are the victim of mean girl/guy behavior. It’s very disheartening. I keep my head down, my office door closed, and try not to invite unnecessary discussion. Unless I absolutely have to speak to someone about a work-related issue, I keep to myself. Ironically they think I’m the one who isn’t being a team player.

  7. Anonymous

    Essentially if you’re not on the favorites list and part of the mean girl/mean boy inner circle, you’re not considered a team player. You are describing my office environment! We have lots of turnover and the assholes are back bigger than ever. So true about the few new people who stay being converted to the mean kids group. It tells me they already had that type of personality and kept it hidden until they were accepted by that group. I know of a couple of people like that at work. I am cordial because I work close with one, but definitely see what’s going on. They are not my buddies but not making enemies of them either. Well I am getting my ducks in a row to leave. Just want to leave on my terms. When people show you who they are, believe them.

  8. Anonymous

    Has anyone addressed this issue in the past? Has this been brought to HR? Sounds like favoritism and can lead to low retention rate, poor performance, resentment, and low morale among other things.

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