bullying in the workplace

It's mean and hurtfull. It does't make you weak if you feel bad about it. They are being small. You have some choices. You can swallow it and take the higher ground. This probably solves nothing because it's them and they'll keep it up. You can find a job where the people are more positive and you can thrive on your own value. Or, you can confront them in an adult way: ie not immature or yelling yourself, just facts, not about pointing fingers, and how it makes you feel. I've tried this: not so helpful with immature people.

Honestly? Is it worth it? The real long term answer is to ditch them and find a place that you can feel good about, leaving them in the dust. If you can't, then you have to try and make it work while advocating for yourself and not allowing people to walk over you passive aggressively like they are. You normally can't change others, and creating a stink just makes them meaner. Bullies like reactions. They'll move on, but they'll probably be replaced with more of the same if that place fosters this behavior.

Oh, your dream job. That narrows it down to you, them, and human resources. And ignoring immature things from immature people.

Confront them. They'll be embarrassed about it and will most likely stop.

Honestly, I deal with it daily. I used to allow the silent treatments and the screaming matches to happen.

Now I call the person out on their crap and it seems to work well. I do apologize when I discover I am wrong, it's all about being grown ups.

I would confront the people, see what the deal is in a firm, but poliet, way (thin line, be careful!!) If they tease and treat you like crap or belittle you, then take it to HR.

What's going to stop them?

Your human resources department.

What's going to stop them?

Your human resources department.

^^^ And this.

Next time they say anything about your appearance, say "I also have exceptionally good hearing, and I hope our gym members don't hear you speaking that way, or we will lose business."

Bullying, verb: Use superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants.

I agree that she should confront the coworkers about their comments first, but I just wanted to state that the definition you used isn't the only form of action that would be considered bullying.

You have a few of options

1. confront them
2. Do not confront them
3. wish you had confronted them

I didn`t mention the 4th...your are 21 years old, you are an adult?

What does being an adult have anything to do with allowing this stuff to carry on?

When you are an adult you take control, you are not a child, take control and make decisions.

How sad to deal with this and come here for advice to only have people be rude in their advice...

But I agree;
You can either say something. I'm not talking about a scene or being a ***** back to them, but just talk to them in a calm fashion.

You can talk to your boss, but that honestly might make issues for you. And even more if your boss is just as immature as them, things could go down hill fast.

Or you can find a way to deal with it. I'm not saying, " stop being a baby and put your pants on." I know I would find that situation hard also. Having someone just outright say mean things about me would hurt my feelings. But you need to find a way to deal with it so it doesn't hurt YOU.

You are new and they are testing you. Teens do that to make their friends like them. I work with these kind of ladies and they are in their 40s. I'm usually quiet and shy person and they love to pick on people like me. So I showed them the other side of me. Let's just say they respect me and know not to push my buttons.

Let me get this straight, you're being bullied by some coworkers, teenage girls, at the gym you work at? Hmmm. ...how do I respond without coming off like an *kitten*?

Think, think!

Got it.

What?! Seriously, you're letting teenage girls get to you? It's a scientifically proven fact that teenage girls are the worst group of individuals on the planet, while simultaneously being the least relevant group of individuals on the planet.

FACT.

You might be asking yourself how that's possible, being horrible and irrelevant at the same time, but I'm not a scientist, so I can't tell you. Just know it's science, and science is always factual.

If you aren't going to shut them down to their faces (which would be my choice) by shoving them into a locker or something, then why waste your energy caring at all? Am I the only one stuck on the fact that your coworkers are teenage girls? I'm guessing you are not a teenager girl yourself, which makes this all the more bizarre. Either ignore them, push them into the gyms pool after some kid and/or elderly person has peed in it, or, if you must, and only if their behavior is really egregious, talk to a supervisor (from what you described it sounds no where near really egregious, so maybe not this option).

Honestly, I think maybe, just maybe, you should be a little less concerned about them acting like, well, teenage girls, and more concerned with why you're so concerned about it, especially when you seem to be unwilling to stick up for yourself. It sounds like your self esteem is the bigger issue here, not their immaturity. We can't control our environment - we can only control how we respond to it. So, if your current situation isn't working for you, I suggest you start responding differently. ...and in my own personal opinion, a great response can be as simple as an elbow to the face.

I am going to add to my last reply about being an adult OK.

You have stood up for yourself to a lot of replies including mine, is this because you do not know the people that are responding in a `negative` way to you?

or is it because you are behind a computer?

So, you obviously can `defend` yourself just go and do it, take the bull by the horns. Even as an adult you will hear people talking about you behind your back, saying things that you so not like, the world is not a pretty place a lot of the time.

I hope you resolve your issues x

You're very young, and possibly the target of some teenage girls' ridicule. And yes, that does suck, and yes, it can hurt.

Just my two cents, but you can't let them know that. "I heard you asking if I was pregnant and it really hurt my feelings." I wouldn't do that. I would confront them though. With your head held high and confidence oozing out your pores... "If you want to know if I'm pregnant you could ask me directly. I haven't been confiding in your little friend Susie, so asking her is pretty pointless, wouldn't you agree?"

Just walk right up and stop them while it's happening. Don't call them any names or anything in order to make sure you don't end up the one in trouble with HR. Just be calm & confident and keep a smirk on your face, dear.

Nothing says 'obey me' like a bloody head on a fence post, in my opinion.

The problem is... if you go to your boss you will strain your relationship with your coworkers.

I would suggest ignoring it and just be your sterling self. Give them time to get to know you. In time they may just stop on their own. Right now you're new and they're trying to figure out A: If you're going to last, B: If you're worth their time and C: If you're going to fit in.

So just be a duck and let their words be the water that rolls off your back.