Colleagues are cliquey

James Innes, best-selling careers author and founder of The CV Centre, solves your work problems...

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Dear James, WE have had a big change of personnel recently and I am struggling to get on with my new colleagues.

They are cliquey, I feel excluded from discussions and office banter, and they are loud so it's hard to concentrate. I feel my work is affected and I worry others will think I'm not a team player.

I'm no shrinking violet, but I feel overwhelmed. What should I do?

Lucinda, Sevenoaks

James says:

THIS can’t be very pleasant, but I do admire your willingness to try to find a solution.