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I am an assistant staff in ABC shop. There are 15 staff (including myself) in ABC shop. Some unpleasant things have been happening between the two groups of staff for a long time here. I want to learn how to describe the people in the following situation.

  1. The 14 staff can be divided into two groups, group A and group B. Group A dislikes group B and group B does likewise.
  2. My job title is the least in the shop. I am both friends of group A and group B, so I am always stuck with the two groups where they argue over something.

For (1), I am writing group A and group B are enemies, but this is too strong and will ruin my diary. I need some gentle words to describe (1).
For (2), is it correct if I say I am working in between the two groups?

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    There has been some dispute between group A and B. You are in a dilemma when they fight or argue over something. – Maulik V♦ Nov 20 '15 at 9:54
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    Another way to phrase it might be that you are stuck in the middle, which conveys that you are in a difficult place between two alternatives. "Working in between" is very neutral. – stangdon Nov 20 '15 at 14:21
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You could say there is friction between the two teams. I like some of the definitions found at Wordnik for friction:

  • conflict, as between persons having dissimilar ideas or interests
  • clashing between two persons or parties in opinions or work; a disagreement tending to prevent or retard progress
  • figuratively, lack of harmony; mutual irritation; difficulty

Wordnik lists a few appropriate synonyms, too, like:

tension - barely controlled hostility or a strained relationship between people or groups

discord - want [lack] of agreement; absence of unity or harmony in sentiment or action; variance leading to contention and strife; disagreement

So, you could say that there was a lot of friction (or tension) between the two groups, or a lot of discord in the office.

As for saying that you are "in between" the two groups, you can convey that a little more accurately by saying that you are caught between the two groups. The word caught conveys the notion that you were in an unenviable position. So, you might say something like this:

There was a lot of friction in the workplace, and I was often caught in the middle of it.

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You may write that A and B are not on good terms (not 'enemies', 'tis quite a 'strong' word). You are the 'neutral party' - you do not side with 'A' nor side with 'B'.

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    The more common phrasing is that they are not on good terms. – stangdon Nov 20 '15 at 14:20

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