"Main character" coworker tries to fit into new work environment, boss calls her out

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Apr 2, 2026 3:00 PM EDT

This employee is convinced that their new coworker is being a tryhard

Even if you try your hardest, you're still going to encounter a few awkward moments when you're the newest employee. For example, everyone will know your name, since you're brand new, but you'll probably forget the names of your coworkers, as well as their job titles, too. You might have to make awkward elevator conversations or you might bring in a PB&J to an office where people are always eating fancy takeout. 

This person isn't really feeling their new coworker. There's nothing like, very out of the ordinary that she's doing. But… she has this noticeable habit that even the boss has remarked upon.

Other people who read this story were spilt: some felt that this person was being a little bit judgy of the new girl. Others totally related, noting that they've dealt with this kind of person in their own working life. 

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  • 01
    Boss points out something a new worker wrote on the computer.
    via Getty Images

    Boss points out something a new worker wrote on the computer.

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02

    New coworker who slid right in and acts like she's been here for years

    Anyone ever had a new employee join the team and start acting like they are a seasoned, even jaded, employee in the first couple weeks?!
    via CursivePower
  • 03

    Maybe she's just trying to fit in... but is being a little annoying about it

    It's wild. On her second week, she started with joining in the fray of complaining about our systems and volatile forecasts like she's been toiling at it for years.
    via CursivePower
  • 04
    On her second week we had a dinner with a big supplier, and she was in all the kool-aid, telling the supplier grizzled vet stories and improvements we need to do.
    via CursivePower
  • 05
    That week before (her first week), we had an unexpected shout out of our product on a very popular podcast.
    via CursivePower
  • 06
    The supplier rep had seen it and brought it up. New employee exclaimed "we were all so shocked, it was
    via CursivePower
  • 07
    It's just over the top. I get wanting to fit in, but it's pretty extreme. She definitely has main character syndrome and is dramatic, so we'll see how it goes.
    via CursivePower
  • 08
    She displayed none of this during interviews. Our boss, who is chill and enjoys chill people, just said something like "her reveal of what she's really like was so quick and unexpected".
    via CursivePower
  • 09
    Anyone have this person join their team? Edit to ADD: I wasn't looking for advice from all the experts, see the sentence with the question mark?
    via CursivePower
  • 10
    Just looking for stories and have some laughs at the goofiness of our coworkers.
    via CursivePower
  • 11
    Eager new employee joins the team and attends a meeting with a coworker.
    via Rodeo Project Management Software

    Eager new employee joins the team and attends a meeting with a coworker.

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 12

    Some folks informed this worker that this type of employee is a universal experience

    Mondood First day on the job, the new hire asked the most senior employee to get her a coffee and a magazine from reception like they were old buddies. Our small office luckily had literally no office politics because everyone got along, but this one started it. She didn't last long.
    via CursivePower

    This is a bad look for that worker! You can't recover from that type of first impression. 

  • 13
    CursivePower Original Poster's Reply Not quite as crazy since it wasn't a menial task, but my coworker did complain to the VP of Field Sales that one of the field reps didn't tell her the part number of what they needed on an order. That's annoying, but none of them use part numbers, and complaining to the VP because he was near by was an interesting choice.
    via CursivePower
  • 14
    FakinltAndMakinlt I've had a coworker like that and honestly my reaction was to be really impressed. When a lot of people start new jobs, they can be a bit tentative like they're feeling out the room before fully owning up to their role and their place at the workplace. But when this person started, she was ALL IN, including using "we" with our partners on week 1, (respectfully) voicing ways to improve our processes in a way that emphasized how important it was to our workplace specifically, and
    via CursivePower
  • 15
    CursivePower Original Poster's Reply I think there are aspects of it that are admirable, but this person I'm describing is over the top with grousing as if she's been screwed by something over and over. If she was the person you describe, my person would be coming up with ideas or solutions rather than literally throwing her arms up and exclaiming "why are we doing it this way". I think there's a balance between jumping in and learning the way it is being done. If you don't learn how it's being
    via CursivePower
  • 16
    truly_scrumptious2 Some people see through the bulls . Why does it bother you? You work in one kitchen, you've worked in them all
    via CursivePower
  • 17
    CursivePower Original Poster's Reply I think it's annoying, and I posted it here to get other people's stories on a similar thing. Why would it bother you if it bothers me? See how the internet works?
    via CursivePower
  • 18

    This person does come off as a little judgemental in their story

    garlyle Exactly how many weeks of acting awkward and unsure do you need from them so YOU can be comfortable? You sound childish, bordering on irrational. Grow up.
    via CursivePower
  • 19
    CursivePower Original Poster's Reply I'm comfortable with you thinking poorly of me.
    via CursivePower

  • Sometimes you have coworkers who rub you the wrong way when you first meet them. If you can have grace for their mistakes, you may find that they start to fit in after a few weeks or months. Everyone makes a faux pas or 10 during the start of their new job. 

    It does seem like this employee's personality just might not be a fit for this team in particular, but they do seem to be judging her a teeny tiny bit harshly right off the bat. 

    And if anything, it seems like she's trying to build camaraderie with the clients and the other workers. She's just not doing a very convincing job at it! 

  • 20
    educatedvegetable Yes! She's in her third week and already trying to comiserate about how difficult the systems are, quick changes are annoying, etc. MA'AM YOUVE BEEN HERE FOR 4 SECONDS
    via CursivePower
  • 21
    CursivePower Original Poster's Reply Exactly! You get it.
    via CursivePower
  • 22
    MrsBSK Main character syndrome? That's new. If the boss is already making noises this will be taken care of. Just get your popcorn.
    via CursivePower
  • 23
    CursivePower Original Poster's Reply oh I've got popcorn. people seem to have mistaken my post for a "seeking advice" post. I was just sharing a story.
    via CursivePower
  • 24
    LawlessFeathers If it doesn't interfere with my pay or performance, I don't have an issue with it. Honestly, it's good shes showing her true colors right off the bat. It would've been even more annoying to see her switch up a couple months down the line.
    via CursivePower
  • 25
    CursivePower Original Poster's Reply I'm counting on her being good at her job. I need her to perform. Nothing I wrote said I'm impeding her performance. It doesn't bode well, but I'm rooting for her to handle the job, otherwise we all get more work.
    via CursivePower
  • 26
    Office team works together on a project.
    via TheStandingDesk

    Office team works together on a project. 

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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