I suggest you try to find out what really is the matter with all the snobbing that you’ve been experiencing. Is it really the helper doing and saying all the bad stuff like you suspect or is there another person/s contributing? You might also want to look at the rumors being spread about you and determine if they’re true or partially correct. If you need to apologize to anyone about anything, then do so.

If, however, what people have been saying about you is totally untrue, go to the next step:

Try to find a ‘neutral’ party — someone at the office who is levelheaded and doesn’t take sides and try to find out what’s going on, then move from there.

You could also try to talk privately with that other person who was nicer to you. My guess is that he/she is probably willing to tell you what’s up. Listen carefully and get as much information as you can.

Do not try to confront the helper in any way. If she’s from another country, you might have a difficulty in communicating with her, in case there’s a language or cultural barrier — no offense. Second, you will only make her feel more important than she is. I believe this is one person who’s trying to do powerplay and actually using more ammo and leverage than she really has.

Whatever happens, do not involve your boss or go crying to him, asking to make ‘kampi’ to you. That might be taken as a sign of weakness. Do your job well and try to excel in it. Document what you do so you have proof of your good performance.

Lastly, is there a way for you to make friends with other people at the office? It sounds as if there’s only a few of you kabayans there.

If your kabayans trust the office help more than they do you, it speaks a lot regarding their maturity and character. For God’s sake… mga Pinoy kayo in a foreign land. You are all in the same boat. What would they gain from ganging up on you?

I wish you good luck and I hope you overcome this small bump on your road to progress as a Pinoy Employee. God bless.