Colleagues trying to push me out- stay and fight or walk?

1122ww

Hi ,
To cut a very long story short, a new colleague started a few months back, she has consistently made my working life hell.
Her behaviour in the office from the start was so inappropriate for the workplace, slamming doors, grunting, growling, heavy handed with furniture, severe sudden mood swings.

Anyway, I have found out she has been working against me at all levels behind my back, she tried to destroy my reputation with the head office team, she tried to turn all the staff in our branch against me, she even took staff members from all departments to one side individually and tried to get them to report me to HR, several people thankfully came forward and told me of this, otherwise I would have been oblivious.

However she managed to get one staff member on side, he too is also new and started around the same time as her. He is incredibly ambitious and several people have expressed the opinion that he is after my job. So now I have these two teamed up working against me.

On my days off, she gets involved in my work and tries to change things/moves things etc
HR have dismissed it as 'the girls don't get along and we all need to move forward. I have forgiven her each time, remained cordial and professional and yet she persists in her behaviour. It is affecting my sleep, energy levels, personal life and working life.

Manager and HR do not want to know.
I have a good wage and security, but my health cannot withstand this covert persistent attack on my professional reputation and work.

Should I go sick with work related stress leave to buy myself time, see what happens with her and the company over the next few weeks?

OR

As soon as I get another job, jump ship and hand in my notice?

I hate the power this one invidual is having over me existence and I hate to let her drive me out, but I can no longer fight this?

Rikand

get another job, jump ship and hand in your notice.

No job is worth your health and well being

Chieftain

1122ww wrote: »

Hi ,
To cut a very long story short, a new colleague started a few months back, she has consistently made my working life hell.
Her behaviour in the office from the start was so inappropriate for the workplace, slamming doors, grunting, growling, heavy handed with furniture, severe sudden mood swings.

Anyway, I have found out she has been working against me at all levels behind my back, she tried to destroy my reputation with the head office team, she tried to turn all the staff in our branch against me, she even took staff members from all departments to one side individually and tried to get them to report me to HR, several people thankfully came forward and told me of this, otherwise I would have been oblivious.

However she managed to get one staff member on side, he too is also new and started around the same time as her. He is incredibly ambitious and several people have expressed the opinion that he is after my job. So now I have these two teamed up working against me.

On my days off, she gets involved in my work and tries to change things/moves things etc
HR have dismissed it as 'the girls don't get along and we all need to move forward. I have forgiven her each time, remained cordial and professional and yet she persists in her behaviour. It is affecting my sleep, energy levels, personal life and working life.

Manager and HR do not want to know.
I have a good wage and security, but my health cannot withstand this covert persistent attack on my professional reputation and work.

Should I go sick with work related stress leave to buy myself time, see what happens with her and the company over the next few weeks?

OR

As soon as I get another job, jump ship and hand in my notice?

I hate the power this one invidual is having over me existence and I hate to let her drive me out, but I can no longer fight this?

In another thread a couple of weeks ago, you said you were happy with the job you were in, and were going to turn down a job you were to interview for if you got it. Must have been a dramatic change in the last couple of weeks

OMM 0000

1122ww wrote: »

my health cannot withstand this covert persistent attack on my professional reputation and work.

1122ww wrote: »

Manager and HR do not want to know.

Go to the doctor and explain the situation. Let her give you a few weeks off work. You can use this time to fix up your skills for your next job.

If management and HR don't care, you're doomed, unless you want to go down the legal route, but I think that's probably not worth the hassle.

thecomedian

OP what do you work at?

1122ww

Chieftain wrote: »

In another thread a couple of weeks ago, you said you were happy with the job you were in, and were going to turn down a job you were to interview for if you got it. Must have been a dramatic change in the last couple of weeks

I only found out about the recent incidents in the past 2 weeks, before her probation date she started acting nice and cordial, I thought our issues had been resolved.

1122ww

thecomedian wrote: »

OP what do you work at?

Healthcare

Ursus Horribilis

Did you do that other interview afterwards?

1122ww

Ursus Horribilis wrote: »

Did you do that other interview afterwards?

Hi, no, then ironically, about a week laterate I found out all these recent developments, 2 staff members came forward and informed me of all that had been going on!

thecomedian

Leave and go do your primary teaching.

jimmycrackcorm

1122ww wrote:

Hi, no, then ironically, about a week laterate I found out all these recent developments, 2 staff members came forward and informed me of all that had been going on!

Make a complaint to HR about bullying. Give HR details of these staff members and what they have told you to investigate.

If they follow up then it should put an end to it.

q85dw7osi4lebg

I was in the same boat, fought it with HR, didn't get anywhere after months of meetings, so left.

Just not worth the stress at all. HR is all an illusion with some firms.

Incidentally she also left a couple of months later haha.

patjack

Don't allow yourself to be pushed out by this person. Try again with HR. Formalize your complaint, put in writing how you are being affected and the actions which are causing it. Tell them that if it continues you will have to take leave in order to deal with the stress it is causing.
If this works well and good, if not take leave due to stress and don't return until you are able to or you have something more suitable lined up.

You shouldn't have to give up a job because of someone else's behaviour.

If there is an issue with your work or performance of your duties then management should let you know and if no issue then you shouldn't have to put up with this. If you were to leave as a result of this behaviour by this individual it would amount to constructive dismissal.

Entirely unprofessional of this individual having a word in peoples ears to report you. This is bullying plain and simple. There are mechanisms by where if someone has an issue that it can be reported. This is a workplace not a playground. I'd be letting management know of this persons actions and putting it in writing.

If you are feeling overburdened by stress visit your doctor.

patjack

In other words , don't give up your good wage and job security to suit someone else. Suit yourself and as long as you are performing your duties you have nothing to worry about. The actions of this person are totally unprofessional and you should have it documented with management and if management don't want to be too proactive they might be able to arrange that ye don't have to work in proximity to each other. She will then try to find someone else to pick on and will show herself up.

bilbot79

Chieftain wrote: »

In another thread a couple of weeks ago, you said you were happy with the job you were in, and were going to turn down a job you were to interview for if you got it. Must have been a dramatic change in the last couple of weeks

This is just silly. In a situation like this your mindset can change by the hour let alone the day or week. But you've spotted an inconsistency in the OPs story woop woop

Chieftain

bilbot79 wrote: »

This is just silly. In a situation like this your mindset can change by the hour let alone the day or week. But you've spotted an inconsistency in the OPs story woop woop

It is probably equally silly to be responding to someone pointing out an inconsistency in the OP's story. woop woop for calling me on it. OP did point out that this has been going on since the person started so I don't see any issue with pointing this out.

bucketybuck

1122ww wrote: »

Manager and HR do not want to know.

Have you properly documented and recorded these reports, or have you just mentioned them face to face?

I would make sure you document everything and without threatening anything make clear that you know your legal rights in these situations.

Many people do not want to go the formal route with their managers but when the alternative is to walk away from the job anyway, well then there is less to lose.