Hi there,

So, I am temporarily working as a maternity leave contract fill in for someone. Previously, I have worked at this place for 4 years successfully. As I moved over to fill in for this co worker, we hired another temporary worker to fill in for me . She’s done great, and i think it’s partly due to the fact that i’ve mentored and coached her heavily along the way. she is good friends now with the one other worker who can’t stand me, and vice versa. the two have become almost cocky and arrogant by whispering that i’m basically incompetent behind my back. this new co worker has great ideas and that’s wonderful because it’s good for the firm. the person i’m filling in for is coming back soon and i’ve rearranged quite a bit of the workflow and so i’m a bit nervous about how she’s going to react when she comes back. really what i’m feeling is a few things and i’d like to know how to handle it.

I feel used by the new co worker and betrayed by the other worker who has influenced her to think i’m incompetent. i get glowing reviews from my superiors btw. anyways, i was in a meeting yesterday with the two of them to discuss the changes this new coworker has made to some things, that i’ve kind of encouraged her to do. i’ve also gotten her and the other worker into the next mgmt meeting to show off their stuff, new things that i’ve encouraged them to implement. am i too nice? have a put myself out of a job? the one coworker said in the meeting that i was too nice. i hate that. i just believe in. building people up and being collaborative, something the person i’m filling in for did not believe in. she hoarded all the work.

i’m frustrated and very sad that these two coworkers have not given me any credit or appreciate me teaching and basically letting them learn more aspects of the job. they also throw me under the bus a lot and are quick to point out things when i fail. they are only supportive in helping me do tasks at work. when it comes to any reciprocal encouragement or appreciation or better yet, respect for what i’ve done for them, it’s non existent. they act like they run the place and that they are tolerating me.

i feel unappreciated, betrayed, and disrespected. what should i do?