I need help!! (problems with my Polish coworkers)

I think you need to seach online for some legal advice if taping some of their conversations is permissible then just have a small tape recorder on or about your person and get it translated later and provide a transcript of the conversations they have at your disciplinary.

Women can be a bit funny in a workplace environment (no offence ladies) me and my missus are going to be moving soon and I'm a bit worried about how she'll be recieved in a new job by the women there cos you lot can be a pain to other women if they are prettier or better liked than yourselves... Sorry for the rant but I've worked in the midst of ******** women, all telling me crap about the other women that I didn't want to know and then I watch them pretend to be best mates 5mins later and they'd worked together for 10 yrs!

Had you been writing letters and essays in English since you were a child you'd have been pretty good at it. As of now I have hard time believing you're a native English speaker (writer).

The other part, yes, your coworkers seem to be jerks for sure.

You're toast, there's nothing you can do. Let go and move on and find another job. Maybe work for yourself, get ahold of a food cart and sell sandwiches on the street corner.

Polish women have a cut-throat, take-no-prisoners survival instinct. Especially middle-aged ones, with kids to feed. You are a threat, probably because you get along with the boss, speak better English, love the job. You're not going to get anywhere trying to get buddy-buddy with them. Make a long range plan: to manage the place, or whatever the way up is, and anything you do needs to be aligned with that goal. But, unless both of them are absolutely irreplaceable, you got to break them up, or you'll be wasting a lot of time and energy on petty crap.

Good luck.

Very true.

I can't picture any interaction that begins with "What's wrong with you?" ending well....

Stand back and take a broader view.

Polish people don't see the work environment and co-workers the same way that Anglophones (in general do). They're not there to make friends and mostly have little interest in socializing with co-workers.

Also, Polish people tend to take a dim view of indirect ways of saying things. Don't say "Do you think you might be able to let me get by?" Say "Anna, move!" (always use their name and simple commands, that's actually more polite for Polish people than obscure indirect expression.

Don't look at them as potential friends or even people you can get along well with. View them as other people doing their job. You don't have to be nice, just be correct.

Do not apologize for your past behavior, Polish people see that as weakness and admission that you were in the wrong. Just change your behavior slightly and the picture should start changing on it's own.

Report them to the social welfare. They are probably claiming benefits too.

Letter to Poles about swearing at work!

Hi Emma

I know this message is about 5 years too late and you may not read my reply or the thread might be closed but I just would like to say that I can really relate to your issues, which hopefully do not bother you anymore!

I think these social "barriers" really apply in the catering industry, whereby you get a mixture of nationalities who do not have a great level of English as it is not required in a kitchen, you are judged more on your actions than your words. So in effect there is always that risk of miscommunication. In addition , and this may be a little controversial for some, many Polish people I met are very matter of fact about things and do not do "small talk". I have also met happier, smiley, friendlier Polish as well ( i swear they do exist!) but sadly this is not the case in the Kitchen I work in...

I am experiencing similar problems to you whereby I have one English middle aged Kitchen Porter lady and one Polish man Commis Chef who are difficult people to deal with. Like yourself, they have excluded me from conversations and do not make the effort to talk to me or smile except to complain. This makes me feel that I am not worth their time and considered more of a burden. This has proved to be a challenge and not taking personally even more so. Your people skills and emotional intelligence will be put to the test!

I have worked in restaurants before and there was a better team atmosphere than in the glorified canteen where I currently work which I may add, is in a Care home. People seem more bitter, moody and less team orientated. A lot of complaining...

I understand kitchens are a stressful environment so when you are upset with your co-workers you are more likely to act or react unprofessionally. Also stress can affect people in many ways, some like myself are more vocal others internalise but this is not an excuse!

Have any of you been in similar situations and how did you cope?

thanks

Oh and I forgot to mention I did take the "What's wrong with you?" stance as well with the Polish man. He didn't reply as per usual. Realised that, this is not the way to deal with people like that. I've been taking a different approach by copying them a little, keeping quiet and not trying to be "buddy buddy".

Its just a sad working atmosphere though!

Yup! Almost exactly the same situation as me. Write a letter to the highest and join a union. It's an employer's market now so ...you know it's all about the white genocide now lol