Most of my coworkers are younger than me, there are lots of people in their early 20s.
Some are genuine and even explain me things I don’t understand.
Then there are the immature ones who only care about gossip. I don’t like working with them.
I’m doing a one year certification to work on a related field and I already know the group I’ll be working with. If it doesn’t work I can always look elsewhere but I’d prefer staying.
Learning won’t be a problem, training on the job with the mature, genuine ones won’t be a problem.
The problem will be the childish ones that claim they’re willing to help only when the manager is present to do the opposite when he disappears, something that has happened before. In this group there are 2 young girls that are very loud and lazy.
Hello fellow codger. I, 55m, work amongst much younger people. Here’s my take: It’s not about age.
People “who only care about gossip” - well, there’s as many of those in the older age group. Age sometimes teaches people cunning, so they’re less overt, but they’re sure as hell gossiping about you and everyone else when they find a friendly ear. IME, the only difference age brings to work relationships is a different set of cultural references. They’ll talk about stuff you’ve never heard of - and you’ll be doing the same to their ear.
It sounds like you’re new to this workplace, and possibly working with people of differing ages and experiences. That’s fine, I’ve been there too. (Full career change in my late 40s). It’s scary, uncertain and confusing - but just dive in.
In any group, there’ll be a few people you get on with, some you don’t, and the majority somewhere in the grey middle. Some will go out of their way to help you some of the time. Some won’t. Some are annoying, some aren’t. If someone offers to help and does the opposite - that’s a useful thing to learn about them.
If you’re annoyed by them, then much of the resolution lies within you. Mentally close them out, or find ways to deal with those feelings. This can’t be the first time you’ve been in this situation?
Yeah. The issue isn’t with the youth, but having lazy coworkers who aren’t a personality fit.
I keep a professional distance to all my co-workers regardless of age, gender, title or experience.
I don’t even know which is worse; working with people you like or people you don’t. Both have their challenges in time.
I’d definitely stay clear of any clique mentallity. Best to stay assertive with those sorts of people.
Or in sports terms. Don’t get dragged into their drama. They can keep that shit game on their side of the court. You focus on the ball.
Stay focused on the work, don’t deal with the immature ones unless you have too. One year will go by very fast.
I’m not a manager so it’s not my problem. As long as work is begijg done who cares about the rest of the time.
If someone says they will help but don’t, bring it up in the next team meeting until you get the actual help.
The problem will be the childish ones that claim they’re willing to help only when the manager is present to do the opposite when he disappears, something that has happened before.
Make sure to be transparent on who did what, don’t take any responsibilities for others. They will either get into trouble and learn to cooperate from there on or not. Things might work out fine anyway, just focus on your own part. Prepare interfaces / connecting parts to their work if they can’t manage to do it, but don’t do their work.
Then there are the immature ones who only care about gossip. I don’t like working with them.
Stay polite but honest. Don’t engage in topics you don’t like. Tell them you don’t care about other peoples alleged / perceived lives. Keep things work related if there is nothing else to talk about and just stay silent otherwise. This won’t be the last time you’ll have to work with people you don’t like or have nothing in common with. Maybe y’all will still find something to talk about after some time.
