Dear Christine,

This is not the usual man and woman problem letter but one related to my workplace. My new workplace.

Recently I started a new job and the other female staff in the building have been anything but welcoming.

Christine, they treat me like an outsider and openly scoff
at any suggestion I make about improving office efficiency, no matter how diplomatically I put it.
I am finding this situation intolerable, but I don't know what to do about it.

I am afraid to go to our supervisor. Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks.

– V.U.E.

Dear V.U.E.,

So sorry to hear
of your present feelings
of discomfort on your new job. While your co-workers may seem churlish and
unwelcoming, think how you might appear to them –
a newcomer who comes into the office determined
to change the way they have been working
for a long time.

You need to find your place on the team and become part of the established structure before you change everything. I agree you need to settle this before going to your supervisor.

Maybe you should level with your co-workers, admitting you feel like an outsider and asking what you can do to make work as pleasant as possible for everyone.

If you are acting too abruptly they might feel threatened.

– CHRISTINE