Soooo today someone at work told me they were told by another coworker that they are not well liked by a certain group.

Anonymous

July 28,2022 at 2:33AM UTC

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Soooo today someone at work told me they were told by another coworker that they are not well liked by a certain group. That just broke my heart. I could see how hurt he was. I told him not to fret, he doesn’t need that kind of negativity in his life.

I am throughly disappointed in this group of “adults”. It’s 2022, are we really still saying things to intentionally hurt others? I thought we were beyond this nonsense. Especially in a workplace.

With that being said, how do I make this coworker feel seen and appreciated? Words only do so much and I don’t see him often. I work in a retail setting for context and there can be some gossiping. Any suggestions to quell the negativity and help this coworker at the same time?

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AnonymousJuly 28,2022 at 5:02AM UTC
I've been that co-worker and it SUCKS. Nothing anyone can do helps except accepting him for who he is. If he has nobody to hang out with on his break, hang out with him. Talk to him when nobody else will. Offer to bring him back a snack from your break. Just be a genuine friend. When he quits and he probably will soon if he's that unhappy give him a great reference.
AnonymousJuly 28,2022 at 7:58AM UTC
The world is a cruel place and people are getting more mean each year. I have worked retail and there are always people that will gossip especially with him being a coworker. The person who commented before me, I agree with to a sharp extent. I've also experienced this as a coworker. I reminded myself I'm only there for the money and experience nothing else. If people want to be rude let them be if they ever lay hands that become's a problem. There's nothing that a person can do to make these kinds of situations get better except "fit in". Yes, I said fit in because most people try fitting in they have to be fake to try to fix these problems. Be there for him, let him know he's not alone that he has someone if there's no one else around fits the description of being authentic and down to earth. I hope things get better.
AnonymousJuly 28,2022 at 1:11PM UTC
Women feel a lot of pressure to do emotional labor in the workplace. His sense of well-being is not in your job duties. If he told you about it, he already feels comfortable with you and that is enough. You are not his mommy.
Stephanie H. WicalAugust 3,2022 at 7:50PM UTC
Confront the person who told him he is not well liked and confront the jerks. Tell them to GROW UP. It is work and not their private club. I question the discernment of people who share hurtful things.