Being Different

by Lisel
(England)

I work in an office environment and get along with the boss, his boss right up to the MD. I have never been one to join in social events etc. I often keep to myself although work as a team member. A lot of the people I work with I have known two years. I am the highest paid person there as a tutor but no one knows this except me and my boss.

Just before Christmas a colleague a newbie claimed I was talking about her. My boss pulled me aside and asked me if I had I told him the truth that I had talked to her but not what she claimed I said. I thought that was the end of it. Then my boss told me 'they' were saying I kept myself too much to myself and I had to join in more.

I talked to my colleagues and they all said the same thing. They thought I had not changed and agreed that if there was a problem they would talk to me directly. Feeling better I became happier, in fact the happiest I have been. I have more work than them and always get my work done on time. Appraisals are due in a few weeks.

This last week after returning from the Christmas break I had not been able to be with my colleagues a lot because we were being audited and my boss wanted me to get all the paperwork in order which meant staying behind till 7pm four nights a week. I normally finish at 5pm. I only said a few sentences to people usually in passing.

My boss pushed me into a meeting with the auditor so I got roasted instead of the boss then immediately after that my boss told me three people had complained about me - he said he did not believe them and was not going to take it further but would not tell me who (although I do know who) or what was said.

He told me to be ultra careful when talking to colleagues about other work colleagues. I was confused as I said I had said very little and asked him to tell me what was said. He refused so I was wondering how I am supposed to watch what I say on certain topics if I don't know the topic I was supposed to have talked about anyway.

When he left the building I returned a phone to a colleague and accidentally dropped in onto a file and it slid down the file. She was busy on another phone so I went back to my room. The door slammed as my window was open. The next thing I knew one of the said colleagues came in and proceeded to give me a lecture as to how I'm not a team player and how badly I had just treated this other colleague.

I was gob smacked. My boss rang and I told him. He heavily suggested I apologize. I did but felt I did not need to. Later on the colleague slammed my door yet nothing was said. I have not said anything to anyone. Irony is I have not had time to stand around and talk like the others do!

Should the boss have told me what was being said ? I am keeping a diary and recordings of any conversations I have with people now.