If you ever have an interview with a company called Epic Products in Santa Ana, Whatever they tell you are all lies, as once you are hired everything changes. You become a underling and will be controlled by everything including asking to go to the bathroom. Matt Dubou is a very controlling bully who cannot stand anyone who does not agree with his narcistic, negative attitude. His attititude is if you don't like how he thinks that hit the door. This company manages by fear that you will loose you job if you totally agree with every thing he says. He tried to bully people into quiting, so that he does not have to pay them unemployment. However, the unemployment office know what a awful place this is to work. They have had so many people quit as they were mentally abused by Matt. They hire illegal immigrants and make them work like slaves. Most good people leave because they cannont stand Matt and his Negative, unprofessional management. They recently said the company was doing extremely well. When asked when employees were going back to a 40 hour week, he said he was not sure. Why should he, when he can get his slaves to do 10 times the work in less time. Matt's father committed suicide, and most of us know why. He's a nut case. Run as fast as you can from this company .

It was pretty obvious from the "get go" that she wanted you gone the day you started working and the Friday thing was just one way to run you off. Very passive-aggressive on her part I must say. But I applaud you for having the guts to walk away from this nasty situation. I have been in your shoes and trust me I know exactly what you went through. Hopefully, you will find something and someone better to work for.

I think that some are truly allergic, but I also think that this bit about "drowning in ounces of fragrance" is way too dramatic. I think there are people out there with control issues who think if they smell one whiff of something fragrant, they should run and complain. The perfume police, if you will.

I so agree with this sentiment! I get up early to run before work, but now have to do work before work. I work with four females ages 30-60 and they shop online, chat about shoes, home decore and things that are not related to our jobs/education...Most of the day. Made the mistake of going to my boss, we have "cubbies" no privacy and explaining I could not focus with constant chatter and complaining, ugh. She was furious with me. Now, I just do my job. Sort of an outcast at work, and I am so positive as my clients keep reminding me:o) Any thoughts??? How's your situation?

I read your comments re your workplace. Only when I decided after taking a career inventory, the types of jobs I waw suited for and went to a local community college to take courses in that field (health), did I finally find work I liked and people who appreciated my work.

It took years....but I have a secure pay and benefits as a result. Did I mention that the counseling at the community college was extremely helpful in helping me deal with the real world. Best wishes in a future successful job, wherever you go and whatever you decide...Sincerely, Patricia from St. Louis, MO

I just hate co-workers that talk loudly. I have this one co-worker that laughs so loud throughout the day over things that are not all that funny. Other then that she is just naturally loud. She is annoying to be around.

Hi! I just read your post and wanted to know where your work. I think having a harmonious work environment and likable co-workers, is more essential than a high salary.

WOW!! Theresa, I think we're co-workers , I totally agree with you. yet over the last year and a few months I've got to back up you Stuck, cause these people are going to great links, in trying to make my time at work unbearable. and while I can't stand most of my co-workers but the ones like theresa makes it bearable, Izzie was right as well. If you have managers that act like 12 year old assholes. the workers will think it's ok to act like 12 year old assholes. Just stop it !!! think of that person at work that you love f#*!%! with as you kin would you want someone doing that to them? hellna!!! So stop, It's not going to work. ( WE LOVE THE JOB) and (WE ARE NOT QUITTING G)

I work with all male co-workers, and trust me, they gossip and backstab just as much as females, if not more.

Apart from that, they make this job go by faster.

Co-workers and managers do make/break a work environment.
I've had good and bad and worked for myself. The company is nice if it is nice company. When it is bad it is awful!

Quit a full-time job about 4 months ago to relocate to another state after two years doing the same job. Got so sick & tired of co-workers sucking up to get ahead...as well as supervisors & managers who had axes to grind with anyone who fit their image nor suck up to them.

Even though I am working part-time & having trouble paying my bills...not having the back-stabbing...bad management & co-workers makes it all better. Have never been happier & my mental/physical health has improved drastically.

I think my favorite jobs were those in which I collaborated with people and we bounced ideas off each other in order to reach a common goal. The work environments in most places are so restrictive that I feel as though I'm hearded like a cow or sheep or the person in charge thinks that I'm some kind of robot. Your work environment is key not the people even though some tend to be agressive or annoying. People have problems they are not problems themselves. We all need people even if we don't like to admit it. Human interaction is important to our mental health and I guess it's ok to be driven a little crazy but I always try to keep a sense of humor along with it. It's always more fun that way. When looking for a new job I consider the atmosphere of the working environment the most important factor. In the right atmosphere I can get along with almost anyone. Life is to short to worry so much about the job that will replace you instead of the people that will miss you when your gone...

I think my favorite jobs were those in which I collaborated with people and we bounced ideas off each other in order to reach a common goal. The work environments in most places are so restrictive that I feel as though I'm hearded like a cow or sheep or the person in charge thinks that I'm some kind of robot. Your work environment is key not the people even though some can tend to be agressive or anoying. People have problems they are not problems themselves. We all need people even if we don't like to admit it. Human interaction is emportant to our mental health and I guess it's ok to be driven a little crazy but I always try to keep a since of humor along with it. When looking for a new job I consider the atmosphere of the working environment the most important factor. In the right atmosphere I can get along with almost anyone.

It's not the co-workers who make or break a job...it's your boss.

I work in a small medical administrative office with only 2 other people. I am the newby. The other 2 are the boss and a woman that kisses up to the boss all the time. They waste SO much time chit chatting that it is ridiculous. I would somtimes participate in their conversations to be socialbe; but it got to the point that I could not get my work done... I mean once the chit chat lasted for 2 hours.. so no work got done for 2 hours. But the boss doesn't care because she is the one who initiates the talking. I am the only one that has enough to stay busy for 40 hours, so I see how they don't care if they waste so many hours a week goofing off. They also pad the timeclock, play games on computers, go on Facebook and other personal uses of the computer, to name a few things. And they invited me to go to their church. Christians like this make people not want to go to church. Enough said, I need the job.. because my husband recently got laid off work; but I would love to find a place where I liked the people I work with. Not may jobs to be found in our area though at this time. Oh, yeah, I did once tell my boss to just leave me out of
the chit chat... that lasted one day... her memory must be failing. I have to hear her tell me the same stories about family or past people that worked there over and over again. I could complete the stories myself by now.

People ! Please do NOT stay at a job with awful co-workers and , or bosses! And do not expect corporations to help out either! Get out and realize LIFE is too short to be unhappy. It will affect your health, marriage, everything! I was at a job for 15 months where my boss made advances and when I refused made my life hell! My co workers were so scared for their own jobs, they turned on me..I was completely alone and filed a complaint and , well three months later I was conveniently let go!

Unemployment is scary but I am sleeping better and so much more happy. Never again will I let another miserable human being affect my business life!

I'm currently seeking a transfer/new job because my co-workers, two in particular, are making my days miserable. One is extremely nosey. The other makes me "uncomfortable", if you know what I mean...

So yes, colleagues certainly do make or break a job just as neighbors make or break apartment life.

Too many 'managers' don't know anything about managing, they just knew how to claw and scratch enough to get the supervisory position they will now cling to at all costs. It takes leadership and some sense of ethics to adjudicate office problems such as you describe, so it's no wonder that such people as I describe are useless in that situation. I never expect anything from managers, because most of them schmoozed (or sucked) their way into the job in the first place.

I have several co-workers that make all the difference (in a positive way). It's easier to handle about anything life sends your way (work or personal) when you are part of a team like this. Each day I remind myself how much I appreciate them and try not to dwell on co-workers at the other end of the spectrum. (Yes, I let them know how much I value working with them).

I second that. Or how about the old women who are jealous of the young women who make more money than they did at the same age and try to make them look bad -- and badmouth and lie about them behind their backs. Why is it the women who are the meanest?

Try being older than everyone else and your staff cause chaos for you and keep things stirred up among the staff that try to work and be team players. If you think it is easy to manage a multigenerational staff...you need to go back to school and get a degree in diplomacy. My boss wanted me to "go easy on the staff," "the staff are fragile," and all I wanted was for people to do the job they were hired to do. A job is not a party or social club, it is a responsibility and people have to be held accountable for their actions. Has anyone heard of team work and productivity...obviously not in my workplace. I was just forced out due to a lack of management support and the antics of "needy" and "fragile" ego laden staff that want to get away with doing the minimum.

I work with two of the most toxic co-workers ever. They are like a cliche in high school....very manipulative and childish. i think it can make or break you....I'm planning on leaving....

I would say the bosses make or break a job. Employees can be a factor sometimes. I worked for this one bi -polar bitch two years ago. Nothing I did was ever good enough. She was n't emotionally mature enough to see that her gross ill-experience was the doom of her pizzeria business. Another company that I worked for was a father and son sandwich shop.The bitchy, fat whiny son would always find something wrong with what I did. To make matters worse, his weak father would co-sign for his bitchiness. Case in point, in my opinion, there is a valid reason why people who do food service as a living are viewed as lesser than. They make food for other people:( Soo glad I stopped doing food service last year. Too many loser ass bosses with inferiority issues and mental illnesses. Whew I feel better!LOL!

Hey Greg, which goverment office do you work for?

Being an RN your co-workers make all the difference. This being said, I find a lot of RNs VERY lazy in the last 20 years I have been in the profession. Those that aren't lazy - those who are team players like I am are the key to happiness in an RN work environment. I wish more RNs would look inside themselves and see they would feel a better sense of accomplishment and overally happiness at work if they gave more of themselves. Personally the answer to the question is YES, co-workers make or break a job. I look on the schedule and dread when certain nurses are working with me as I know I will be feeling the pressure of the shift alone.

Never go to work for Epic Products in Santa Ana, where Matt Dubow and his mother own the company. You will never meet more Narcissistic people in your life. After two years there, you have to go, or slowly go insane. Most of us prayed for someone to go postal and take this idiot out.

Selfishbitch,

Sounds like you may be part of your own problem.

I would rather work from home. Coworkers usually drive me nuts because they usually gossip more than work. It drives me nuts!

I use to work for a company that the owners mother was the office manager.
She was such a unhappy person, and there was so much disfunction between her and her son. It was just she and I in the office for the 1st 3 years. It was so hard coming to work everyday. She would take her misrable life out on me. The son, hired a couple friends, a mother and daughter part time, to come in and do some of the work. The daughter did help out some, but most of the time
she did her homework. The mother hadn't worked since she was in college, and had no clue how work fax machine, typewritter, phones, so she sat there and let me do all the work. What pissed me off is he started them out making more money then I was even after being there 3 years.
His mother got so bad with her crap that, It started causing me to have panic attacks on my way to work. Finally on Halloween day his mother was more then I could take. I gave my 2 week notice. I didn't even last the 2 weeks, she started acting like she was in highschool, and this was a lady in her 50's.
I left the next day, best thing I ever did. Your co-workers/Boss makes all the diference. I work for a great company now, and great co-workers.

Without coworkers I don't know what I would do with the six out of eight hours I DON'T work. I'm too efficient at my job...I need coworkers!

Awesome!!

Co-workers can make or break a job..I had a job I loved and a wiggle butt,cleavage showing trouble maker stabbed the rest of us workers in the back by kissing the bosses butt and telling him lies about us. Ofcourse he believed her after oggling what she had to offer him..She was his favorite and she could do no wrong...go figure.

Your last statement said" Now she's happy,...." I bet if you were a fly on the wall, you'd see she's making someone else's life miserable. Because SHE is not happy. I left a job I really liked because my new supervisor was always on my case. I used to be "an asset to the department". After she came I got warnings, written warnings, anxiety pains in my chest, crying in the corner,... Some people just shouldn't be in positions of authority. Glad you are happy now.

My boss rocks!! She always spills her guts to us and we get to listen to all her secrets. Our workplace would be soooo boring without all those juicy gossip stories and interludes. She'll probably get fired one day for displaying all her personal problems, but we prefer her to some of the other harda## bosses we've had.

I don't think the question can completely be answered unless you first consider how much you bring to the table yourself. I work for a company with approx. 467 coworkers, and everyday that I arrive to work gets better than the day before. I think job satisfaction with coworkers depends strictly on each person's attitude and their ability to see the more positive side to every situation. My motto for the past almost six years that I've been here is that I will work with anyone. If there is no cohesion on the unit, it's because I've failed to bring out the best in someone other than myself. I wouldn't trade my job for another, and I love my coworkers despite how diverse we are.

I live in a small town and it seems everywhere I work, I come across the same type of co-workers that make life miserable. I hate almost every job I take but the job market sucks and it's hard to be choosy. It makes life depressing when you can't enjoy a job where people instantly decide to hate you without getting to know you. I agree that too many females have jealousy issues and no matter how nice and helpful I am, they always stab me in the back and create trouble. I believe all these crazy people had serious family issues growing up because we are way past high school but am continually being treated like dirt by adults who act like bratty teenagers. I also believe that it is solely the managers in charge that create such an atmosphere. I was recently fired from a job where the administrator was never there and put a low end manager in charge who couldn't do her job and no one could stand her. She didn't like me because I got along with everyone and did a good job and came to work every day. I just didn't kiss up to her and make her feel like a queen. This company tends to hire the same type of low class gossiping troublemakers who shun you if you don't socialize with them and make them feel important. It does make a huge difference when you go to work for a company that has a positive image and tells its employees daily what a good crew they are and what a good job they are doing. I am now at a lower paying job but it is well worth the peace of mind of having zero stress level!

I share the same story as fmarieh. I left a job I loved because of evil and annoying coworkers. The boss/owner of the company was oblivious to any problems and avoided conflict, so he was just as much a part of the problem. I am now working a job that I only LIKE (not love) with a much better coworker situation. There are still some annoyances, but at least we're on the same team.

Heck yes!! A bad co-worker can make a person quit a wonderful job, especially if that co-worker isn't going to be leaving anytime soon. And a great co-worker can sometimes make even the most demoralizing, mind-numbing jobs tolerable.

I have been employed at my current job for 14 years. I like my boss and several of my co-workers. I also have co-workers that are dead beats and does not care about anything or anyone else. they complain everyday and try there best to destroy your day. I think if you live and work in a small town you need to travel and read more so you can edify your mind.

Having a bad co-worker is the pits. But, having like minded ones with whom you share a mutual appreciation for one another make all the difference in a lousey job. I don't make much money and I have to pay alot out of pocket for my health insurance, and we are always being told how much we suck. But, then, when the boss leaves the room, we all smile at each other and joke that we are the "winners" of the losers club. Working from home does get lonely and you lose motivation. So, I prefer having co-workers.

I have a 29-year-old daughter with learning disabilities. Although she cannot deal with numbers, and can barely read she does not qualify as disabled here in Colorado. Therfore no help. So, when she is able to find a job, it is always a low level part time job doing janitorial work, stocking, or general labor. It takes little time for her co-workers to discover she has learning disabilities, and they start riding her. They make fun of her. They play practical jokes on her. They put pornographic material in her locker. They give her misinformation so that she makes mistakes and gets into to trouble. She comes home from work and cries. Talking with her supervisors does not good. Eventually she becomes over whelmed and either quits or gets fired. In general, people treat the disabled like dirt. Coworkers suck.

I don't really care for too many people so if I don't work with them the better. Annoying, back-stabbing, quibbling little people only get in my way and keep me from being productive. Bosses, I've had quite a few mean and self-righteous bitches to say the least. If I never work for another woman...it'll be a blessing. Women make THE WORST bosses. They always get jealous and petty. Co-workers...I've had some real dumb-ones. I can do without co-workers, just make sure my paycheck is right and on time.

I have two jobs. My first is great and my coworks make it alot less stressful. My second job i would like to staple a post-it note to my bosses and co-workes. there all a-holes. I have worked there for 9 mo. I yet to see my boss smile. He treats me like a stupid kid. When in fact I have more education then he does and more management experance and I am older then him. He just pisses me off.

Greg C....I think U became an outspoken idol of sorts for me! Bop da' man and make your surreptitious slacker millions HA HA!!!

I reallly think people make a huge differance! I consider myself a postive person and try to put my best foot forward each day. The last job I had was so hard to bear because one of my co-workers , actually my "manager" was just an immature and miserable person. She was so negative and hatefull, it just made the days drag. I thought my positive attitude would wear off on her but it only seemed to piss her off more..lol. I finally quit and now I have a job where my "manager" is so positive and supportive and my other co-workers are the same way. It definitly helps the day go by faster and I do think its possible to find time to laugh and enjoy yourself with your co-workers. If you work a 40hr per week job you prob see them more than your own family and friends so its so nice when the people around you are plesant. Life is too short to waste it being surounded my negative people :)

I meant "qualities" and by 'Oh sweet Jesus' about NickELback, I meant that they SUCK.

The current job I have has to be the most horrible. I love the work itself, but my co-workers are the most childish, cliquey, bizarre AS*(oles.

The ones who make it to the higher positions are the ones with the qualitys I've described above. The ones who actually care about what they do, and who smile to those who aren't their 'friends' either quit or remain on the lowest rung of this already low totem pole.

The way to fit in is to be into vampire movies, like Bon Jovi and (Oh sweet Jesus) Nickleback, saying 'cool' and 'awesome' in that 80s Valley-Girl talk, and to just hate anyone who is generally happy. And these are not just 18-somethings. Some of them are older than me!

Oh well. The economy f'd me so bad I need this job.

I left my last job mainly because of the co-workers, some were really snarky. I liked the job and if I hadn't had to deal with some of them, I'd still be there. I pretty much ignored them and they ignored me, but, I'd always have to listen to everyone else they had treated like crap and it was a real downer. I got really tired of constantly trying to cheer people up or pat them on the back after the "management team" tore them apart.