[onedufulife]

Does anyone have responses on how to deal with workplace cliques and/or can you suggest article(s) related to this topic?

[Kateena]

Onedufulife,

Cliques can destroy workplaces, there is no doubt.

However, there is a difference between a destructive clique filled with people who are just downright mean, and cliques of people who just seem to get along better and hang out with each other more.

I tried looking for a few articles to give you, but so far haven't found anything I think would be very beneficial.

So, all I can do is pass on my opinion.
If you are in a workplace with the first type of clique (mean spirited and exclusive), I suggest you seriously consider if that is the type of working environment you want to be in.
I've heard countless horror stories of workplaces with that exclusive environment.
If you think it's bad now - chances are it will only get worse.

But if you choose to stick it out, just try your best to be friendly, patient, cheerful - but most importantly -keep your integrity!

If you're in the second type of workplace (where the cliques are reasonably nice), I'd suggest you just try to be friendly.
You may have to be a bit assertive and push yourself into situations where you have to interact with them (and they with you). It can be daunting - but a lot of the time it bears good fruit.
(An example may be joining them when they all go out for coffee. Hey - you need caffeine! Who's to say you can't go get yours at the same time as them?)

Once people get to know you a bit better, I'm sure they'll want to hang out with you and have a good chat in the kitchen/watercooler/office hang out.

Best of luck to you, hope it gets better!

-K

I wrote an article on my blog about cliques because we definitely had one in our office and I tried to look at it from their point of view that perhaps they didn't realize how hurtful it can be to be excluded.
Here is the article if you would like to read it Laughing All the Way to Work: A Survival Blog for Today's Administrative Assistant: When the sound of your mouse isn't the only "clique" in the office

Patricia