Accountancy bullying?

Deleted User wrote: »

I'd love some feedback on my experiences when I was a trainee accountant for a short time (two months ). I went for an interview and got the job. The first thing that happened was the first morning I was left at a desk and the guy who had interviewed me (Boss A) completely disappeared. Eventually another chap (call him boss appeared who asked me why I wasn't doing anything and that I would be in the **** if Boss A found out! Now I was never told a single thing about who did what, who I should report to, what I was expected to do just nada!

Eventually it seemed Boss A was completely gone and Boss B was the person who gave the orders. He was a tall man and I began to find him a little crude. He called me up to his office one time and showed me how to do a profit and loss thingy. He was smoking as he did it and I felt it wasn't very professional but no way did I say it.

It's hard for me to remember now but this guy would speak to most of the others quite affectionately but be quite ignorant to me. That was the worst thing. He could be nice and polite if he wanted to. This got on my nerves and I began to be rude back which didn't go down too well. He was well able to give it out but didn't appreciate it coming back at him. Among the things going on were he once started asking me "are you ****ing stupid?" and mocking my appearance.

As I remember it I probably should have remained calm but I kept insulting him back. Eventually he called me up to his office again one time and he had a stick and started threatening me with it!!!

It's years ago now and I haven't worked full time since to be honest. I do remember things changing though. Once I stopped being rude back and started talking and generally being friendly to him and his buddies it all changed. I was even being asked to come to the pub! I eventually left because I felt unless you went out of your way to be nice to them things would get nasty. It seemed to be more important to socialise with the other staff than actually doing any work.

What I'm curious about is the abuse started as soon as I got there. Normally they bully you for some reason don't they? I was only in the door and I was getting a hard time! I just don't understand why you'd interview someone, take them on, then ****ing abuse them?

What I do remember is there was another employee, a young woman, who he used also talk down to too. He would do it in front of the others. None of the other staff would say a thing to him about it though even though she was supposed to be their friends also.