My group leader and a colleague at work.
Our secretary, this one colleague and I were rather good friends in the past. The colleague started a long distance relationship last year. Since then, she's only seeing herself or her girlfriend and blocking everyone else out. We asked her several times if she wants to join us on our way to the supermarket during breaktime or if she wants to drink a cup of coffee with us. She always refused our offers and so we stopped asking her.
Last Friday, we were on our annual works outing and she didn't join us. She wanted to visit her girlfriend, but she was the only one in our department who was on duty. So, automatically she was the one in charge. The usual way was that the other department takes over when everyone is on the works outing. Since she was there, she had to do the job until the end of worktime. But she still thought the other department would take over on that day. So, our secretary (I was on my grandmother's funeral on this day) went to the chief and told him. He ordered that my colleague had to stay. She was really mad at our secretary, because she wanted to leave early to visit her girlfriend. Since this incident, my colleague doesn't greet nor talk to our secretary. But both are still talking to me.
Our group leader noticed the situation and called the three of us in her office to talk about everything. She blamed the secretary and me from the beginning to badmouth our colleague behind her back. I know what it's like and I wouldn't do it. And I wouldn't use any deeper knowledge I have about her. Other colleagues already noticed by themselves that something was strange. So we started talking...and she didn't ask for understanding, she just assumed it. She argued that she had the long distance relationship and that her girlfriend was in trouble...and so on. But we have also other colleagues who are in similar situations and everyone has some problems, but everyone else fits in the team and continues working.
She also blamed us for not asking her anymore and for excluding her concering coffee breaks and stuff. I already talked to her once about this and explained that I didn't ask anymore because I was tired of always getting a "No" as an answer. I also told her that she should just say it if she wants to join. But she doesn't talk to people. She expects people to talk to her...
Everything I said today, she twisted my every word. It didn't matter what I said. And I was really diplomatic, not blaming, just explaining and telling her my point of view...she also has some mental problems and the secretary and I tried to help her, but it's up and down with her. And today I said that she should just tell us if she doesn't want any support so we know how to behave. We didn't knew all along. Sometimes she blocked you, then she wanted to talk to you...it took so much strength for me. From now on, she refuses all support. I will accept it, but I think it's a pity...because she's throwing away her last relationships at work and around her place where she lives - but that's her decision.
I was so mad about my group leader for blaming me...and about this colleague who didn't even give us a chance. She didn't even listen, just twisted my every word...and presented herself as the victim. It was so unfair and I didn't want to argue in an unfair manner.
I know that humen are different, but I think at least...we could try to behave in a social way so that no one gets excluded or has to watch every word he/she says...
I'm curious about how this will go on at work. The secretary and the colleague are really stubborn...I still greet both and if it's necessary I also will talk to them. I don't want to be part of this selfish kindergarten-behaviour...:banghead: