New job something just feels off?

n1guy

So I posted a few months back about being made redundant after 9 years, ended up for two job offers, made the decision to take the job closest to home.

Well I'm in there about 6 weeks now and something just feels odd about it.  My last job we all got on like friends, even the boss was one of us, there was chat and banter, the first thing I find odd is no one talks to each other, its all work work work.  Okay you are there to work but a bit of a chat now and again makes the day go quicker, I've tried small talk with people, it's quickly closed down with one word answers, at lunch time everyone goes to their cars too, I've gone into the canteen, 1 or 2 people in there who sit with headphones on in silence, I  usually just go for a walk at lunch time.

The boss also has a weird vibe, like he's this mighty mythical creature who's so much better than anyone else and we should be privileged to just breath the same air, certainly not approachable.

They've also paid off a couple of people this week, like why hire me then?

I don't know it all feels odd to me and something is telling me I should look elsewhere. What's your thoughts? I could sum all the above up by saying it's not a very friendly place.

elsien

Your colleagues might have been friendly at your other place but there were a lot of other things that were wrong there that you were unhappy with before you were made redundant. 

So which is most important to you – making friends or reasonable terms and conditions and proper pay for what you do?
It was always going to be a change going to a new job with a different culture. Yes it’s nice if people have a chat but if you like the job itself and it’s close to home and it’s reasonably well paid, I could live with it. At least for a while.

Sus59

Bottom line is if you don't feel happy there, start looking for another job. I presume you are on a 3 month trial period?

I once started a job and knew within the first week that it was a mistake. However, it took me nearly 18 months to find another suitable job so I think I know how you feel.

Life is too short to put up with an unhappy environment if there are other choices, so start looking around again.

Brie

Maybe the people they got rid of weren't doing their jobs properly or there were some disciplinary things happening and paying them off was cheaper than dealing with that?  

Are all the monosyllabic types long time employees?  Maybe the boss has them firmly under his mighty privileged thumb?  Or are they just very shy.  Eating in their cars might indicate that.

Is the other company open to talking to you?  Maybe you could tell them you think you made a mistake.  The fact that they are getting rid of employees means you have an easy excuse to jump ship - "well in my first month there were 2 people let go with little notice and that made me wonder about the company's mindset/ethos.  And while one can't believe everything you hear at lunch there was a lot being said about further reductions.  I didn't think I wanted to be part of that kind of upheaval so soon after joining."  Or something like that.

n1guy

Brie said:

Maybe the people they got rid of weren't doing their jobs properly or there were some disciplinary things happening and paying them off was cheaper than dealing with that?  

Are all the monosyllabic types long time employees?  Maybe the boss has them firmly under his mighty privileged thumb?  Or are they just very shy.  Eating in their cars might indicate that.

Is the other company open to talking to you?  Maybe you could tell them you think you made a mistake.  The fact that they are getting rid of employees means you have an easy excuse to jump ship - "well in my first month there were 2 people let go with little notice and that made me wonder about the company's mindset/ethos.  And while one can't believe everything you hear at lunch there was a lot being said about further reductions.  I didn't think I wanted to be part of that kind of upheaval so soon after joining."  Or something like that.

Yeah they seem to be long term. Something tells me the boss has made them this way rather than just being shy, I've seen this happen in other jobs I've had, people end up being scared of the boss. Can't be bothered with a toxic atmosphere like that. Maybe I should just cut my losses.

n1guy

Sus59 said:

Bottom line is if you don't feel happy there, start looking for another job. I presume you are on a 3 month trial period?

I once started a job and knew within the first week that it was a mistake. However, it took me nearly 18 months to find another suitable job so I think I know how you feel.

Life is too short to put up with an unhappy environment if there are other choices, so start looking around again.

Yeah you just kind of know don't you. That's what I'm gonna do start looking again

Brie

Like Sus59 says - sometimes you just know and I, like Sus, started a job and knew almost immediately it wasn't the right one for me.  But I liked the company and had to think through what to do and then I bumped into an ex colleague from another place that was working there and then, miracle of miracles, my department announced they were shutting down and I was going to be made redundant.  That was my trigger to chat with the chap from the other place about his department which fortunately had an opening.  Left nearly 15 years later (4 redundancy announcement by which time I was ready to retire - so hurrah!!)

JonVarnas

No offense, but you do come across as one of "those" people who just like to talk alot and probably doesn't realise that it can be annoying for people, particularly those who just like to knuckle down and get on with it. Also they could think you won't be there very long so it's not worth the effort getting to know you. I've worked at loads of places where new employees have come in expecting the red carpet treatment only to !!!!!! off after a short while.