If you thought Mean Girls was just a high school phase, think again. The Burn Book mentality doesn’t always disappear after graduation—sometimes, it just evolves into office gossip, exclusionary tactics, and toxic workplace behavior. From corporate boardrooms to coworking spaces, adult mean girls (and their cliques) can make professional life just as dramatic as a high school cafeteria showdown.
Mean Girls at Work: The Office Queen Bees and Their Games
The workplace should be a space for growth, collaboration, and professionalism, but sometimes, it’s just another stage for adult mean girls to flex their power in subtle (or not-so-subtle) ways. Here are some classic workplace mean girl behaviors:
? The Office Queen Bee – She’s at the top of the social hierarchy, wielding influence over office politics. She may control access to opportunities, exclude those who challenge her, or use her status to intimidate others. If she doesn’t like you, expect to be left out of key meetings, social gatherings, or even career-advancing projects.
?️ The Gossip Guru – She thrives on office drama, spreading rumors and creating divisions among colleagues. One minute, she’s complimenting your outfit; the next, she’s whispering to another coworker about how you got your promotion.
??♀️ The Gatekeeper – This mean girl controls information, resources, or access to leadership. If she sees you as competition, expect “accidental” email exclusions, conveniently missing deadlines, or lack of mentorship.
? The Clique Cult Leader – She thrives on groupthink and social exclusion, creating a tight-knit group where outsiders aren’t welcome. If you’re not in, you’ll feel the tension in meetings, inside jokes that don’t include you, or sudden cold shoulders after a disagreement.
? The Passive-Aggressive Perfectionist – She weaponizes fake kindness and backhanded compliments to undermine others. “Oh wow, I didn’t expect you to pull that off!” or “You’re so lucky to get recognized for that project. I guess right place, right time!”
Anecdotes from the Frontlines: When Mean Girls Go Corporate
? Brianna, 29, Marketing Professional
“I was excited about my new job until I realized my female colleagues had an unspoken rule: you’re either ‘in’ or you’re invisible. They’d have ‘impromptu’ lunch outings without me, ignored my contributions in meetings, and one even ‘forgot’ to add me to a group email for a big project. When I finally confronted one of them, she said, ‘Oh, we just thought you liked keeping to yourself.’”
? Angela, 35, Financial Analyst
“I had a senior colleague who would constantly gaslight me. If I succeeded, she’d say, ‘You got lucky.’ If I asked for advice, she’d say, ‘You should already know this.’ And when I started getting recognition, she suddenly became ‘too busy’ to mentor me. It wasn’t until a male coworker pointed it out that I realized she was sabotaging me.”
? Melissa, 42, Film Producer
“It’s like Mean Girls, but with better shoes. I worked in an industry where networking is everything, and some women hold power by controlling access. They’d invite each other to key industry events, ‘forget’ to mention a hiring opportunity, or subtly spread doubts about my abilities. One even told a colleague, ‘Melissa’s talented, but she’s not a team player.’ I had to work twice as hard to prove myself.”
How to Handle Workplace Mean Girls
? Call Out the Behavior (When Possible): If you feel comfortable, confront the behavior directly. A simple “I noticed I wasn’t included in that meeting—was that intentional?” can put a mean girl on the spot.
? Document Everything: If exclusion, sabotage, or gaslighting affects your job performance, keep records of interactions. This can help if you need to escalate the issue to HR.
? Find Your Allies: Not everyone in the workplace buys into the mean girl hierarchy. Build relationships with supportive colleagues who value professionalism over petty office politics.
? Know When to Walk Away: If your workplace is a toxic Mean Girls reboot, consider seeking new opportunities where you’re valued and supported.
Final Thoughts: The Cost of Workplace Mean Girls
Workplace mean girls don’t just create personal stress—they hinder company culture, stifle innovation, and drive away talented employees. As women (or anyone) rise in leadership, fostering inclusion and mentorship should be the goal, not replicating high school power dynamics in the office.
Have you experienced a workplace mean girl? Share your stories in the comments! And if you’re dealing with one now, remember: you don’t need a clique to succeed—you just need confidence and a solid support system. ?✨
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