How Do You Tolerate Bad Situations?

Updated on November 13, 2011
M.H. asks from Marquette, MI
11 answers

Hello Ladies,

I have a new job. I have worked there for a month and a half. They have had 5 people quit without notice in the last year, so I knew it was going to be a tough job going into it.

I'm good at taking the jobs no one wants, organizing them, and making them doable. So I took the job. It's not the job. It's the people. I need out. No joke, if it weren't for the kids, no way would I go back tomorrow.

I am the sole income and can't quit without something else lined up. Any suggestions on how to make it tolerable until I find another
job?

Edit: I didn't say what was wrong with it because I know on here people have a tendency to jump up with report and quit. I am not in a position to do either. Let me just say it is a hostile work environment (both physically and verbally) and I don't feel safe, but then I have safety issues. They have also apparently never heard of several laws. This isn't a situation where I feel comfortable with toughing it out until it gets better. I need to leave. Sooner rather than later.

What can I do next?

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Usually people can put up with a LOT as long as they know there is an end in sight. Work toward that end. Good luck.

More Answers

L._.

answers from San Diego on

There's a business man that delivered an awe inspiring speech to a Christian school last year. He told about a job he had for a man that was truly mean to the core. He would do all kinds of things to try and make this man quit because he was a Christian. One day he prayed to God that he just had to quit. He felt that God was telling him that it's okay, but he really wanted him to stay there and help this man succeed. So he did. From that moment on he did everything he could to include the man, communicate well, and pray for him daily. He went above and beyond no matter what the man did to him. After a time the pranks and mean things became a joke and they ended up working well together. The company went far and today this man has his own companies and has been prospered in a big way.

Sometimes God has us in a difficult situation to train us for something else later or to teach us something we need. Sometimes he has us there to help the other person. I believe you need to get up every morning and pray for these people and ask God to show you ways to help you, help them. Make yourself so cheerful and valuable and indispensible, you'll soon be favoured there above all else.

5 moms found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

You don't give much description of what's wrong for us to have a lot to go on, so I'll just answer your question of how to make it tolerable by saying to take it one day at a time, and work hard to find a new situation.

So sorry.
Dawn

3 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Redding on

You keep going to work until you find something else.
I've been a single mom for many years and believe me, there were jobs I knew I wouldn't stay at forever, but, every day I was there was another day on my resume. Every day I was there was more time on my paycheck. I thought in my head about doing the work before me and knowing that I would go home to my loving children. I thought about the people that I was actually helping while I was at work, clients, etc, and told myself that I was determined to make a difference in someone's life for the positive no matter what. Because of my diligence and patience, even at jobs I've hated, not the work but the people, I made other contacts. I found other people who could see my worth that I could use as references.
If I had to be somewhere that I didn't like, I made up my mind to make the best of it.
I have always said this...."Everybody has to be somewhere".
I can be at work thinking positive things to myself, or I can be freaking out about not being able to provide for my kids. Time is money, as much as I hate to say it.

Don't get me wrong....I'm no saint, and I've been as ticked off as anybody, but you have to think strategically. I read a previous post where you thought that interviews weren't going well because of not wearing a ring. Well, ring or not....you got this job. Do your absolute best, be thorough and efficient, don't throw in the towel after a month and a half. That won't bode well.
For one thing, prospective employers don't like it when you complain about your previous employers or co-workers. That signals you could be difficult to get along with or don't adapt easily. Also, a month and a half isn't long enough to even get the dynamics of a work situation figured out. If you choose to bail, don't bother putting this job on a resume.
I think there are things to learn from any and all situations. Learn what you can. Look while you continue to work and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Best wishes.

2 moms found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Ever watch Monty Python?

"I've had worse!"

Honestly, that's my crutch. As bad as things have gotten with my husband, I've had worse. As bad as some jobs have gotten, I've had worse (like being electrocuted worse). Not a lot phases me these days (although I am will to put up with FAR LESS schnitzle) because I've had worse. I think back to those times and laugh at the incompetant buffoons who can't even make things REALLY bad, just annoyingly bad. They can't even manage intolerable! Haha! Amateurs. If you REALLY wanted to make me quit you'd ___________.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Washington DC on

just remember that you get to go home. as long as you remember that the job is just a source of income you won't let the little things stress you. i work in a hospital and everyday is a new adventure btu what keeps me sane is the fact that i get to go home to my boyfriend and my daughter and that i leave everything from work at work. and everything from home at home the 2 don't mix. but it will probably make you much happier.

since it is certain people cuss them out in your office in your head or in the bathroom.
i do it all the time my face will be smiling but the curse words will be rolling from the top of head and in my imagination they hear it.
also take a candy bar or somehing you enjoy to eat with you there that way you can take a break to do something you enjoy while you are there, and it might bring some joy to your day
start looking for a new job

hope this helps:)

1 mom found this helpful

C.P.

answers from Columbia on

My job has some seriously crappy moments as well. When it gets really bad, I just put my nose to the grindstone and remind myself of two things:

1. I'm being paid to be here.
2. It could be worse...I could be in Afghanistan.

1 mom found this helpful

C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

it could always be worse.....

and i have always said that you can do ANY job, if you're surrounded by good people. and i have also heard, "people don't quit jobs, they quit bosses." true statement!

however....you asked how do we handle bad situations. when things are bad, i look to change them. so my suggestion is to find a new job. asap.

i would go to a temp/placement agency (here we have Allied Staffing, Staffpoint, etc). they are reputable and respectable. it's not pay per day kind of grudge work. take your resume, explain your situation (professionally and respectfully) and they will find you something. probably within a week or so. times are tough and it's sometimes hard to find something, BUT in our area, i spoke to one of our temps just yesterday, and she said that they had placed her just a few days after she applied. i have great faith in staffing places. good luck, hang in there!

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P.S.

answers from Houston on

The only thing you can do if you have safety issues is to learn how to defend yourself, either with your hands, or car keys...or keyboard - whatever is the closest thing you have.

I always like to recommend assertiveness training for people who have to deal with difficult co-workers.

If you can, listen to music - not only to soothe your spirit but to block out any unnecessary yapping.

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K.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

the only thing you really can do is just focus on your job-you didnt say if it was mgmt or coworkers.this is gonna sound silly but when ive had enuff of my coworkers n boss..i just pretend we speak different languages-and i ignore them.i work on a big property so its easy for me to get lost on a project.whatever you do-dont give up your paychex to them.just keep on keepin on...good luck

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C.M.

answers from Bismarck on

I can tell you from a communication conflict resolution point of view that if it's an issue, usually something can be worked out. When it's people problems, those are WAY more difficult to deal with. Especially if you do not feel safe there, it's time to document if you need to, and keep looking for something else. I pray you will find something REALLY quickly.

As far as making it tolerable, there are some books on dealing with difficult people. I even googled it and there are lots of good pages of reading out there. I hope you find one that gives you some good ideas on dealing with the hostile environment until you can move on.

GOOD LUCK!!!

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