I started a new job two years ago, feeling ambitious and keen to get in after a career break, it’s a professional role in a male dominated team.
There is an office manager who has been there for years. I was having a difficult phone conversation one day, she came over and said ‘when I have that I ask to speak to the manager’, I thought that a bit interfering and not what I would do but that’s fine.
A little before this I was given line management responsibility, ever since then the Office Manager definitely had a notable difference towards me. I got the feeling she didn’t quite like it and complaining she needs someone to help do this that and the other. This is where things ramped up.
We have client meetings and there’s normally a large amount of printing required, the day before the printer broke so we couldn’t prepare fully, in a rush we had to ask another hub office to help for the next morning. I sent a polite email to her, copied in her Manager and said I note this happened before can you please keep an eye on it thanks very much etc etc....
I take it the polite request did not go down well, you know when you just get the feeling her attitude changed towards me.
A couple of weeks later I had some calls to make, it’s Friday not many management about, she comes in and puts on kiss fm really loud, I ask nicely could she turn it down, she goes off to the kitchen with my direct report I walk in on them Office Manager moaning about me. I mean.... if that was me I’d just say oh sorry! And turn the bloody music down!!!!
So that makes me feel rubbish.
All this on top of the swearing, vaping at the desk, bitching about me I must admit it I have been really upset about it. I don’t want to run to management about it, but get the feeling she has complained about me.
I feel upset because of my reputation, im a nice person. Been doing my job well for lots of years and it seems someone is a little jealous and used to ruling the roost without any consideration to others.
I just don’t know what to do, I feel rubbish today and thinking of handing my notice in as it’s really affecting me.
Should I just leave? Or should I take it further but then I worry about getting a reference if I want to move on if it’s seen that I can’t get on with others. (Although it is just this one person).
Please help I don’t know what to do and how it will reflect on me and my career which is really important.
On top of this a position came up in the team with more responsibility which I am more than capable of doing but was dissuaded by my manager I worry that it was because of what the Office Manager has been saying portraying me in unfavourable light. I just don’t know what to do.