Hard work situation in new job

[Johnnie]

okay...so out of desperation I found this site and am very happy that someone may be able to help. I finally landed the job that offers more pay, better hours(so I thought), and stability. It has been nothing short of a nightmare. I am on a 6 month probation and am under the supervision of someone whom is described as being very critical and messed up in the head. To make a very long story short....sup is harassing me daily, has made me cry, complains about my work, views, tells me to do something and then denies later, has threatened to put bad info. in my prob. report and is basically sabatoging my job. Mind you......It took me 10 years to get my foot in the door, a very difficult testing process, 3 additional months of service trainings and i now have 3 months remaining. Countllllllllllleeeeeeessssssssss staff have left me anonymous notes, talked to me directly that I should just leave as she is well known as a harasser and has a history of not passing people when probation is over- then you loose your job. She is in the union and her job is protected. My dilemma is : she is very verbally abusive towards me and I was told to document this and seek legal counsel if i want to keep my job. Do i want to put my family through this? Also, there are so many jobs out there- granted i would have less pay but a whole lot less stress. Also, if i do make it through these remaining 3 months- i will have the oppurtunity to transfer out of the dept. and into a position. Should I take the gamble? Help?

[kaegea]

HI Johnnie-
In the work place we do not have to like or be friends with anyone. All we have to do is do a good job.

Keep your head low..do not get into discussions where she can tear down anything personal. Keep it strictly workrelated. In order to dismiss you or harm you professionally she must have documented work related issues. Make her put things to you in writing "for my own clarity" " I want to do this right"

...if you have e-mail that is great, do not delete any of her messages...ever!! Spend 150% of what you do when you walk in the door on your job to give her NOTHING she can use against you.

In the instances when there is no way out and she is talking directly to you alone--and it is not work related...make her do the talking..you listen and just laugh with her or agree...dogs, NASCAR, sports, "Will and Grace"...whatever! If she likes to cook or has some favorite food bring her a recipe with something she mentioned..leave it on her desk with a note...." Saw this after our conversation...thought you would enjoy it".....My mom used to tell me to kill trouble makers with kindness!! I still do it...I am 57...and I laugh inside when I see the puzzled look on someone's face as I am manipulationg them....GET IN CONTROL!!!
Hide "your real self" from her...If that does not work...(and my experience with unions is non existent...but I know of something of them from my experience in the workplace) you may need to go to the shop steward but be sure you have documentation...do not make it personal...be sure it is something not favorable to the company as a whole...and have more than one example......witnesses etc. if possible. Also...if you witness her doing it to someone else...and report that, it it becomes VERY credible...and then your own experience becomes more credible also. Keep a time line and include things that are easily obvious and traceable...like a production problem... Interactions with her and any ramifications you can directly relate that impact the business are more noteworthy than something indicating she does not "like' you..

The other option is to contact your local Dept of Labor. They will ask if you can document harrasment. There are "Protected" categories of employees...and being a woman fits into more than one. Even the Union shop can not hide from true harrasment. There are federal laws that put a company at risk if they do not react to documented reported harrasment issues. Read up on the definition so if you go there...you know how to present your side.

Good Luck...let me know how it is going!
Kaegea

[musical_lady]

Hi Johnnie. I can relate somewhat to your situation and I totally agree with what Kaegea says. Keep all communication with your sup - business, business, business. After all, you're there to do the job and get the pay (personal stuff is a bonus...). Also, documenting everything that happens is a very good idea. Chances are this person is doing it so if that's what's happening at least you're doing it too. I wonder, if she has a reputation of not keeping people after the 6 month probation, doesn't management notice that? What kind of management lets her get away with that, union or no union? If you only have 3 months left, I would hang in there (I'm currently planning to hang in for the next 4 years!). Like you say, you can always transfer if you get in and if you don't, there are other jobs out there. Good luck! Kim