A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

returning to work outside the home? - mt3

Posted: Dec 25, 2013

Help. I need advice. I just got a new job and no one will talk to me. I have been there 7 days. The first week was fine, but now I feel like I am getting the cold shoulder. The guy who is supposed to train me acts like I should already know what I am doing. I do image scanning now and have a year's expereince, but all scanner systems are different. I feel like I am catching on pretty well, but he is giving me no feedback, good or bad. I have been very friendly and asking people about themselves or talking about Christmas, etc., and all I get are one word answers, if that. Very frustrated. I really need the benefits of this job so will not quit, but want to know if any of you guys have any suggestions for me. I worked as an MT for 20+ years at home and then my last job, temporary one, that lasted for year went very well and I had lots of fun and friends and laughter. Any suggestions or hints how any of you have handled returning to work outside the home? Thanks.

My advice is to focus on learning the job... - FBL

[ In Reply To ..]
and back off on trying to be so friendly for now. You don't want to give them any reason to say you aren't trying or are socializing too much. Eventually the people will warm up to you, just give them time. Don't take their standoffishness personally, it is just human nature. Be sure you are on task while on the clock...no personal calls or texting, and be on time. Good luck!

I agree with FBL - Anon2

[ In Reply To ..]
A week into the job is too soon to be asking your co-workers personal questions. I've been at my new job for a year and have gotten to know quite a few people, but there are still some who are stand-offish. I'm a private person and don't share a lot of personal stuff at work, I've learned that the hard way. If you have issues with the person who is training you and you are frustrated with that, talk to your manager. I definitely agree with no personal calls or texting. I'm dealing with that now in a new hire coworker, it's awful. Visit on your breaks and at lunchtime if you think that feels right. Otherwise, just stick to your job and learn all you can.

I agree with the above poster. - give it some time and

[ In Reply To ..]
hopefully they will warm up to you. Nothing wrong with being friendly, but just focus on learning the job, not making friends.

Smile and say good morning, goodnight or have a nice weekend but I wouldn't do much more than that. However, I am also one of those people who prefer to keep to myself in the work setting. I have one friend that I take lunch with every once in a while, but for the most part, I take my lunch break to run errands or come home for lunch. I get along with everyone fairly well, just not a social butterfly in the workplace.

My advice is as the above poster said just focus on learning the job, take notes and do whatever you have to do to get things down packed. That way as long as you know you are meeting or exceeding expectations you can feel confident in that, feedback or not. Hang in there, it will get better.

thanks from help! - mt3

[ In Reply To ..]
Such good advice. Thank you. I am just a real friendly person usually so this is out of the ordinary for me, but I can see where you guys are coming from. I have really been focusing on getting the work done and writing down everything I can to refer back to. I haven't used the phone or my cell to text or done any surfing at all. I think taking my 15 minute walk at break and leaving at lunch will be my salvation.

I just know that if there was anyone new that I would bend over backwards to be friendly, but if this is the way it is, I will have to learn to live with it. Also, I have what I am sure is perceived as the lowliest job in an office of 20, but I am by no means the youngest person. Mostly 50+ year old women. Go figure.

You'll be fine - sm

[ In Reply To ..]

It is a lifestyle change moving from working at home full time to working in the public sector. I'm just like you....very friendly, outgoing, social. My first job in the public sector was through a temp agency. I learned early on that there are some offices with cliques, just like in high school. As a temp worker, I sometimes felt like people didn't care that I was there because they knew I was only filling in. Although some of my assignments were in offices with really nice people. My first full time job was an eye opener. I made the mistake of letting my friendly, smiley, happy nature show, and there were some women there who hated my guts for it. I mean really hated me. They had their little circle, and I was most definitely not welcome in it. They would plan lunches together right in front of me and not invite me. As soon as I was off probation, I applied for a different department and moved to a different job. I'm still there, and I adore my co-workers and my job.

So starting tomorrow, walk in with a smile on your face and get right to work. Ask questions about the job, but don't ask people how their holiday went, etc. You can be pleasant without being too social. I know it's hard for you and me, but that's what you have to do. As soon as an opportunity comes along to transfer to a different office, apply for it. Some people don't like outgoing people like us. Save your social-ness for after work with your friends. You'll be fine!!!

My thoughts on this - Put yourself in their shoes

[ In Reply To ..]
I think that what you may see as employee unfriendliness and rejection may be a combination of two things. One, you may be too friendly too soon, or more personal than others are comfortable with. Rather than learning to live with it, you might try accommodating others' need to approach new people on their own terms. You are the new person in their established group -- that is always the underdog.

Two, it might not be them at all. My guess is that this is the employer's culture. If this is an HIM department, I would be sure of it. The employer (manager or supervisor) probably discourages social interaction on the job. They expect everyone to be working, not chatting. Everyone may have such heavy workload that they can't afford to chat and they may worry that their supervisor will get after them for it.

As for your trainer who doesn't communicate much, it might be that he just can't do any better. Nothing personal in it... perhaps he's just not capable of more.

Put yourself in their shoes. Maybe they are shy, or reserved, or busy, or limited, or just don't want to get in trouble.

This is what business-focused workplaces are like. I would focus on fitting in on their terms and on doing a great job. If you can do that, chances are better that you can get a higher job, then you won't be low man on the totem pole.

thanks a million! - MT3

[ In Reply To ..]
I never thought of a lot of what you are all saying and it is helping me to put things in perspective so much. Especially about the employer's culture. He is a fairly quiet guy, but doesn't seem to micromanage - at least not me.

I never thought that maybe the guy training me just isn't a good trainer. I do know that he is glad I am there, because he is so sick of the job I am now doing. Of course to him it is routine and to me it is pretty new.

I also feel like many people, including me, has had the Christmas blues this year. Having Christmas on a Wed is difficult, at best.

Anyway, blessings to all of you and a happy new year, too. Thanks so much for helping me see things in a new light and I will be fine. You are right!

If the manager is quiet, everyone may be - reflecting that.

[ In Reply To ..]
They are just matching his style, so to speak. It's ok to be that way.

You'll have lots of opportunities to shine, regardless.

If your job doesn't provide you with enough fun and socialization, consider a sideline in something more outgoing, like planning children's parties, clowning (seriously!), catering informal events, or volunteering at a shelter or soup kitchen. Perhaps you could make appearances as Mrs. Bunny around Easter, Mrs. Sam at the 4th of July, a big turkey at Thanksgiving, and Mrs. Clause or an elf at Christmas. Or you could tutor shelter kids in English and reading, teach English and volunteer in helping immigrants settle in, tutoring them for citizenship exams.

Another Perspective - see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
It could be they all feel threatened with their job when a newbie comes in. I think there's always something in the back of their minds that you may be next in line for their job.

I started a new place, too, and while nobody was rude, I certainly got the cold shoulder. I came to find out that a rumor had gone around that I was there to replace certain people, and I think they all got scared. That wasn't the case, but they became standoffish. Once they didn't feel threatened, things lightened up.

I have to agree with all these notes. Go with the office flow in terms of chatty or not. It could be they have some rules there about getting too chatty-kathy and not focusing on the job at hand. Maybe they've had situations where people just were doing more clowning around than working, and they're structuring things to be more focused. Maybe the "big cheese" from corporate was there observing that week, maybe (if there are state regulations), "State" was there checking things out. Maybe they recently installed cameras and everyone knows it. Maybe...who knows, but it likely has nothing to do with you personally.

I have to say, you are better off not getting to close with anyone on the job, especially at first. First of all, at first, you don't REALLY know who your friends are. I've gotten stabbed in the back enough times that I now just mind my own beeswax, don't share anything that anyone in the office has said to me or that I overheard, don't offer any opinions on policy or a person (even if asked), and definitely do not listen to or engage in office gossip.

Maybe these people are scared of losing their jobs, maybe they've been disciplined several times about focusing, maybe it's just sort of "the way it is" in that office. Just blend in, follow their lead, so to speak. If nobody starts talking about their weekend on Friday and what they'll be doing, then don't share and don't ask.

I know that's hard for someone who is very social, but I think you will be safer that way.

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