At my work, one department hates another. Do you have opposing factions at your job?

[quote]It’s like the proletariat vs the rich.

And, it's this attitude by the office people which probably explains the dislike. I'm sure that the office people are paid multiples of the shop people.

But, then again, you knew that and are simply pushing your usual pro worker agenda.

Your department also has the all-important mimeograph. Truth is you complement each other to help keep America the post-war industrial and military powerhouse it is. I like Ike.

If you’re in Dallas, OP., you may enjoy this establishment posted in another thread:

R1 I clearly said no one in the office has ever made a derogatory remark about the shop. I also guarantee the office is not paid more than the shop as a rule. Ever asked a welder what they make an hour?

What R1 said. Your post is dripping with condescension, OP. Clearly you and your department are the problem. Co-workers actually don't just fabricate reasons to dislike one another. It would be different if it were one or a handful of people. The fact that it's an entire department speaks volumes.

Also, to answer your original question, no. What you describe is dysfunctional. My work place gets along just fine. Everyone is treated with equal respect, though. Clearly not the case where you work.

[quote]At my work, one department hates another. Do you have opposing factions at your job?

No. I'm the CEO and get along with everyone, but encourage intracompany rivalries to soften the labor, keep competition up for productivity purposes, and keep people distracted.

I harness the potential of the average asshole.

I work with mostly women. The levels of pettiness and infighting are staggering. One day you’re the best and the next day you’re mortal enemy #1. I wish it were only between departments.

Earrings, caftans.

Can’t you all just have sex with each other, and learn to get along?

Everyone hates Customer Service, mostly because they enter data wrong most of the time and other departments need to get accounts/invoices/statements corrected because of what is seemingly lack of training.

As someone who grew up in a generally working class neighborhood and got myself an education and then got out, I think OP is neither condensing nor exaggerating the situation. Blue collar types are quicker to mock and complain about white collar types than vice versa. Not denying that disdain can exist in both camps, but whatever the actual percentage of that feeling in either group, the working class guy is much more prone to vocalize it.

Everyone hates IT, and they hate us.

[quote] There is the shop that’s dirty, noisy, hot or cold, where the actual fabricating occurs. Attached to the shop is the office. Where designers, engineers, purchasers, and management work. It’s clean and climate controlled.

You just described the disparity in working conditions. Seems disingenuous to ponder why there is resentment. It should be easier, for you, from your comfortable (work environment & pay) position to let it roll off your back.

Wax earplugs or noise cancelling headphones when dealing with the shop, OP. Problem solved.

A whole department can irrationally hate another because a culture of resentment and complaining develops. Also workers almost always hate white color types.

So weird that the people who work in the dirty, noisy, temperature extreme shop are resentful of the people who work in the clean and climate controlled office! It's almost like they're treated differently?! WEIRD!

No. Theatre is collaborative, and we all get along. There are disagreements on occasion, but usually...it's more or less smooth sailing.

Most of the people working on the floor make at least as much as the office workers. Only managers earn more.

Twerk

[quote]r15 Theatre is collaborative, and we all get along. There are disagreements on occasion, but usually...it's more or less smooth sailing.

Have you ever appeared on the legitimate stage?