Dealing with an awful, toxic work environment?

Hello all! New poster here! Been lurking these forums for a while, and enjoy the insight. Thought I would be brave, and make a post of my own. Really, I just need a place to vent, but any advice would be appreciated.
As a cappy, I take my work very seriously, but my co-workers are literally driving me INSANE!! Here’s a quick description of my work environment: I work for a small non-profit liberal arts college in the admissions department. At this college, we offer traditional on-capmus programs, as well as online programs. Because of this, there are two separate admissions teams: one to bring in traditional students, and one to recruit online students. Both teams work in the same space (a fairly small room on the 2nd floor) under the direction of one supervisor. We work in cubicles.
Maybe it’s the close proximity to each other, but I honestly think I work with a bunch of psychos. The last few months especially have been a struggle. It’s awful. It doesn’t help that we all have to practically spend every minute with each other. While we’re one big admissions department, our teams have different goals, procedures, and deadlines. But every time an issue needs to be discussed, out boss make all of us sit together. He’s big on transparency, which I appreciate, but I get dragged into so many meetings that have nothing to do with my job. We’re also expected to work late nights to meet deadlines, go to events, and just be cheerleaders for the college 24/7. There’s also always a lot of pressure from the president and dean to recruit a certain number of students every year, which is stressful. Honestly, I can understand why everyone is so whacked.

I hate my job. I’m dreading going in tomorrow, and honestly, I’m one more bad day away from quitting. 😢
How do you all handle shitty co-workers?

Also, here's a breakdown of all of my co-workers sign suns (thank you office birthday calendar):
2 Capricorns: Myself, of course, being one of them. And another cappy. He’s probably the one I get along with most, although he has a hell of an ego that can get annoying. Nothing is ever his fault, even when it is. He can also be condescending.
A Leo: I can’t fucking stand this guy. What a smug bastard! He acts like he is a fucking GOD and we should all be grateful that he is a part of our team. He’s also comes into the office and brags to the other men about all the women his cheating on his girlfriend with. He tried to convince me to be one of those woman, and I threatened him with a sexual harassment charge. He pretty much ignores me now.
A Cancer: Annoying, clingy, asks a million questions, and doesn’t know how to mind her own business. Also gets really emotional, and will burst into tears at the slightest thing.
2 Virgos: Both have this self-righteous attitude about them. As well as being extremely neurotic. I actually got snapped at by one the other day because she didn’t like the way I crossed off the days on my wall calendar. My PERSONAL wall calendar, in my cubical! I had to take it down just to appease her. SMH.
A Sagittarius: Loud mouth, never knows when to shut up. Him and the cancer often team up to butt into other people’s business. Also has a temper, and will snap at you if they think something is your fault.
2 Pisces: One of them is our boss. Nice enough, but totally clueless as to how to run these two teams. Does not always communicate effectively, and gets easily stressed. The other is a moody bastard who does not hide the fact that he hates his job.
A Aquarius: Another know it all. Also is a total space case. We’ll be in a meeting talking about an important issues, and just as we’re wrapping up she’ll be like “why are we talking about this?” Drags the meeting out even longer.
A Scorpio: Honestly doesn’t take anything that seriously. Spends more time talking about their Tinder dates than work. Can also be a drama queen.

Ugh. These people embody every worst trait of their individual sign.

Oh, I'm sure they all have their gripes with me as well. I'm certainly not a saint in this situation. Things were not like this when I first started. But, our institution has been dealing with financial hardship the past couple of years, which has been putting a lot of pressure on our department. Low enrollment means even less money. I'm pretty sure it is the work environment that making everyone moody and neurotic, and it's frustrating. I see my co-workers more than my family, which is starting to become a problem. ;/

Hahaha.. caps are sooo cute when pissed with workplace and colleagues 😄


My dad comes home going off about his colleague/senior/subordinate is this/that/has no common sense.. but he usually tell me to give me a picture of work in his field... anyways.

Wow, all those people fit their stereotypes perfectly..

You need to find an Aries 😄

My dad stopped bothering...but the "stupidity" doesn't go unnoticed. You just have to learn to be immune to it.. watch everything like a movie and do whatever you can 🙂 best wishes

Posted by cappy4lyfe87
2 Pisces: One of them is our boss. Nice enough, but totally clueless as to how to run these two teams. Does not always communicate effectively, and gets easily stressed. .

This is my impression of my Pisces boss as well.

Hey OP, I look at it as I'm there to do a job, not to make friends. I'm pretty outspoken and opinionated and I'm sure I piss all my coworkers off occasionally. Even my sense of humor comes off as abrasive at times, but the more they get to know me, the more they get it.

Anyways, I tend to detach and not clue them in to my personal business. I don't trust anyone in the office. I try to stay focused on my tasks.

I think the problem is the close quarters. Can you get out during lunch, away from them for a little bit? During breaks could you take a walk around the building? Just stepping away helps a lot.

Another idea is to focus on their good qualities instead of their bad ones. Everyone has just as many good qualities as they do bad. Every time you have a negative thought, purposefully tell yourself to stop that thought and come up with a positive. Especially when someone tries to get you to talk about someone else (like "maybe, but I admire that they are....). Has to be a genuine quality you really see in them, otherwise it comes across as insincere.

As far as the calendar, well, I'd put a bigger one back up just to irritate the virgo. I'm rebellious like that. hee hee!!