To think I'm being bullied?

[Tanif]

I work in a mid-size niche law firm. My supervisor and I have certainly never been chummy but things seem to be getting progressively worse.

She has started to challenge me on my billing times (which are well within company guidelines) and asks me to present her with a list of work I intend to do each day to meet my targets.

She is very verbally aggressive; she never actually swears or shouts but is incredibly dismissive of me and my role within the firm.

I have just found out that she told another member of staff recently that she intends to get me sacked. She is very popular with the partners of the firm and has also, having seen me receiving a brief phonecall from my mum, sent a message to the partners saying I spend 'hours' on my phone (she did not copy me into this message, I found out from the deputy supervisor, who I get along well with).

I'm pregnant at the moment and can literally feel my blood pressure rising. Do you think I am being bullied? Do I have enough evidence to present an allegation of bullying?

[PhilipJFry]

You are absolutely being bullied here. What a disgusting woman.

[scurryfunge]

It certainly sounds like the beginnings of something untoward. Start recording every piece of dialogue you have with her. Try to have witnesses present when she speaks to you. Will the member of staff who told you about being sacked provide a statement? Ask for every request/feedback to be emailed so it can be documented.
I would be tempted to speak to her directly and ask for evidence of poor performance with examples.

[GoEasyPudding]

It seems that something is indeed wrong about her behaviour towards you. Keep a detailed diary of events gather more info and examples. Let her dig herself an even bigger hole.
Can you get real evidence about her saying she wants to get you sacked? Will someone speak up for you about her saying this?

[EuphemiaMcGonagall]

Write down everything she does/says, with times and dates then present it to your HR person.

[Tanif]

I'm certainly going to be making sure someone I trust is present when she talks to me and saving all emails/IM conversations.

I can't really approach HR as our firm is quite incestuous; the HR manager is also an equity partner.

[marriedinwhite]

The allegation will not be upheld unless you can rely on witnesses to support your story. You need to keep notes of what she says and when she says it and be able to presesnt comparators to support your side of the story, ie, does she question other people's billing times or private phone calls - is her behaviour towards them dismissive too.

[thisfantasticvoyage]

I would speak to ACAS and just find out where you stand. You probably don't have a case as yet but you may well do in the future so you need to get a handle on what kinds of things you need to be looking out for. She sounds a proper CUNT.

[Tanif]

married she's not a great or friendly supervisor by any means. But it has been commented on by colleagues that she seems to have singled me out. This would not be the first allegation of bullying to be made against her in the firm, but the last person to accuse her was pushed out in a round of redundancies shortly after.

[IslaValargeone]

A bit odd that she should tell another staff member she intends to get you sacked She does appear to be on a mission to cause trouble though.
I hope you can find an ally to give you some support, this must be horrible for you.

[Greatdomestic]

sounds like the start of bullying to me.

Keep a diary and record every conversation you have with her. Try to remain calm at all times when dealing with her no matter how provoked you are - she will feed off any emotional reaction you have. Comply with what she asks you to do with a cheery smile and try to ensure all you do is beyond reproach - on the phone calls side of things, try to keep to an absolute minimum. Of course you want to ensure you meet your targets etc etc. Try to have a paper trail of her requests too.

Familiarise yourself with the compay's bullying and harrassment policy
IME individuals who behave in this way to others have real issues themselves and can only make themselves feel better by making others feel bad.

Stay strong.

[skybluepearl]

do they know you are pregnant? do let them know

[skybluepearl]

can you talk to her manager?

[CheshireDing]

Yes def let them know you are pregnant OP and it sounds like bullying to me too.

Either print off or send them emails to your own hotmail (or whatever account) don't just save them on the work system as IT could go in and delete them.