Buzz
Just because your school days are behind you doesn’t mean mean girl cliques are a thing of the past—they often show up at work too. In fact, over 43% of employees say cliques exist at their job. These tight-knit groups can disrupt workflow, lower morale, and fuel conflict. But don’t worry—there are effective ways to manage the situation and reclaim your comfort at work. Before considering resignation, give these strategies a try.
Actions You Can Take
Keep it professional when dealing with the clique.
Maintain a respectful, courteous, and pleasant attitude when engaging with the clique. A calm and confident demeanor shows they have no power over you. Interact civilly with each member and always respond with integrity—even if they’re hard to tolerate. In short, disarm them with kindness.
- If someone is being a workplace bully, respond calmly with, “This doesn’t seem like professional behavior. Let’s focus on the task at hand.”
- If a clique member mocks your outfit, just smile and keep working.
- If someone dumps their project onto you, respond with a cheerful, “That wasn’t on my task list, but I know you’ll handle it well. Looking forward to seeing how it goes!”
Only speak out when it’s truly necessary.
Steer clear of mean girl cliques unless they cross the line into bullying behavior. Confronting them without a real reason might escalate the drama. Often, they thrive on attention—don’t feed into it unless absolutely needed. Stay composed and logical if you must step in to defuse a situation.
- If someone from the clique claims your work as theirs, bring it to your manager's attention by saying, “The article discussed in today’s meeting was solely my work. I noticed my name was omitted, and I’d appreciate it being restored.”
- If they begin excluding others, speak up with something like, “I’ve observed growing tension and a lack of inclusivity in the team lately.”
Notify HR about any harassment.
If the clique crosses the line into harassment, report it to HR or your supervisor. Share specific incidents, including emails or messages as evidence if possible. This should be your step when the situation starts affecting the work environment.
- Voice concerns to your manager by saying, “I’d like to discuss something happening in the office,” or, “There’s been some friction among coworkers that I think you should know about.”
Try to understand where the clique is coming from.
Cliques often form from a desire to feel connected and valued. Many mean girl groups stem from personal insecurities. Their actions may not always be malicious—they could simply be searching for their place in the office dynamic. Trying to see things from their perspective may help you better understand their behavior.
- Imagine yourself in their shoes. Would you feel fulfilled at work, or isolated and unhappy?
- Offer kindness to clique members to show that they don’t need to act out to feel important.
- Look for ways to build bridges. Maybe one wears shoes you like or displays a quote you love—use these as opportunities to spark positive interactions.
Steer clear of office gossip.
Talking behind someone’s back only fuels negativity. Avoid any non-work-related chatter about the clique. Here’s how to navigate tricky conversations:
- To bow out, simply say, “That’s not really my business.”
- If you need to exit, say, “I’ve got to run and print a few documents.”
- If you want to shut it down, try, “This doesn’t seem like the right time. Let’s get back to work.”
- To soften the mood, say, “She’s probably stressed—let’s give her some grace instead of piling on.”
Build connections with different coworkers.
Expand your circle by reaching out to others in the office. Chances are, you’re not alone in feeling excluded. Bond with positive, drama-free colleagues.
- Ask someone who usually eats alone to join you for lunch.
- Visit other departments or office sections to meet new faces and create fresh connections.
Establish personal boundaries.
Clear boundaries—both professional and personal—can protect your peace at work. When working with mean girls, direct communication is key. It sets expectations early and helps you stay grounded. If you begin questioning your place in the workplace, list out your strengths to remind yourself of your value.
- At the start of a joint project, say something like, “If we focus, we can finish this in under a week. Let’s commit to working through the mornings before moving to anything else.”
- If they try to diminish your efforts, respond with confidence: “I’m dedicated to my work, and I don’t appreciate being belittled,” or, “I disagree—we all play an important role on this team.”
Add uplifting touches to your desk.
When office negativity takes over, surround yourself with little joys. Brighten up your space with a funny quote, a pet photo as your screensaver, or a fresh flower beside your monitor.
- Deck out your space with seasonal decorations to boost your mood.
- Include items that showcase your favorite song lyrics, inspirational quotes, or fictional icons to make your desk more personal and enjoyable.
Focus on the parts of your job that bring you joy.
Keeping a positive mindset can help you rise above workplace drama. Mean girl cliques may try to shake your confidence, but your contributions are meaningful. Jot down 5 ways you support the team each day and 5 reasons you enjoy being part of the company. Reflecting on these positives can ground you when others try to bring you down.
- Your work has impact—don’t let anyone convince you otherwise!
Take a walk to reset.
Step away for 10–15 minutes to reset your mind. When tensions rise, a quick break can work wonders. Get some fresh air or just move to a different space to breathe and regroup.
- If you can’t leave the building, stretch in a quiet room or walk around the hall for a few minutes.
Establish balance between work and life.
Don’t let office drama follow you home. When your shift ends, so should your worries about work. Log off, silence notifications, and prioritize doing things that bring you joy.
- Pick a post-work activity you enjoy—having something fun to look forward to makes the day go by faster and helps separate work from personal time.
