Think I've joined a toxic workplace

[Shabba2025]

How would you play it? How long would you give it so that it boosts your CV? I need the job on my CV and I need the income. Sorry for the brevity but I'm pushed for time. What would you put in place to deal with it?

Sorry! I work in HR.

In HR!! Bless you.

🤔Here is a list of HR functions:

• Recruit qualified and talented candidates.
• Process payroll, compensation and benefits.
• Manage employee performance and disciplinary.
• Update documentation and policies.
• Maintain employee records, including with disciplinary actions.
• Manage finances and benefits.
• Provide career growth (learning & development).
• Business succession planning.
• Human Resources Information Systems.
• HR data and analytics.
• Assists with talent management and the recruitment process.

So it seems that 3 & 7 have gone by the board !

I would still advise you to put your concerns in writing to your line-manager, so there is a record. This may be needed in case the situation escalated to an Employment Tribunal.

Informal little chats are no use if the manager doesn't follow through. If she chooses not to respond to your written concerns, that is on her but at least she can't feign ignorance of your predicament.

@Shabba2025 "Manager said she was sorry and she should've protected me and it's cultural- which I already knew from day 2"

What sort of a half-assed response is that?

It sounds like she's condoning it.

You could give ACAS a ring -

https://www.acas.org.uk/advice

Hi @Shabba2025 - I’ve just read your thread and I’m really sorry you’re going through this on your return to work. It’s rubbish and I really feel for you.

Here’s my advice!
Download and subscribe to ChatGPT - or use the free one. Ask it for advice. Learn how to prompt it - ask it to answer as a senior HR leader under English law (if that’s where you are) and tell you how to work out specific tasks you are given. I find it very helpful on working out complex leave issues, disciplinary procedures, writes HR letters that you can copy and paste and tweak. Practice it out of work and learn the prompting that’s key. It should really help you.

second - try and get back some perspective and self belief. The very worse this person can do is sack you - they can’t physically attack you - she’s a grumpy bitch. Imagine her on the loo !! You’re a mum - you have got this!! Head up, look her in the eye, smile and ask your question.

Third, make a detailed list of what you have to achieve and if you can’t fit it all in, either ask for more time, or do a bit extra once the kids are in bed to get ahead.

Look for another post too - there’s nothing wrong with this and saying to prospective bosses that your current job isn’t a good fit culturally for you.

be positive and make your changes you need to, to be happy again at work and don’t let it physically affect you. good luck @Shabba2025 xxx

I did precisely 11.5 months in similar circs.
I kinda regret staying that long
They were literally bonkers but it was fascinating in a pass the popcorn kinda way.
Reckon one day it will make a decent book

I did a temping stint in NHS HR and had a very similar experience. I was covering for someone on long term sick with a view to it being made permanent.
I clearly stepped into a political minefield with the resentment palpable from day 1. I worked with a group of women who were poorly managed and allowed to do/say exactly what they liked.

I lasted 6 weeks and went from a confident capable woman to an anxious deflated wreck. When I had my exit interview with a senior manager I told her exactly what was going on and she looked genuinely shocked. Says it all really

Sorry to hear you're going through this. I'm now out of the other side albeit with my confidence battered. I'm about to start a new job after taking some time out. I have since discovered my previous place is 'known' and not in a good way, they have been unable to fill the vacancy I created and many others have since left. You've got this.

I had an interview for an amazing job yesterday. They should let me know today if I've been successful. It went well and would be so perfect in every way. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but obviously I will be gutted if I don't get it.

Get a second hand coffee percolator and take it in for everyone to use. Take a cake in on Fridays. If everything is going down the toilet at least laugh and make merry with the troops.

There is a coffee percolator and snacks! They've moved on to bullying my new colleague. Awful.

I promise, it was never you.
Fingers crossed for today! x

Fingers and toes crossed for you

Just read this thread. Good luck! We had a very senior executive join our department. After three months she resigned. She was professional, apologetic but very clear that the culture wasn't a fit and she valued her mental health too much to stay. We all admired her for it.

Good luck

Good luck @Shabba2025

Oh I was thinking about you a few days ago! Everything is crossed hoping you get the job!

@StartupRepair She was professional, apologetic but very clear that the culture wasn't a fit and she valued her mental health too much to stay

What a great way to phrase it. I wish I’d have been brave enough to say something like this. That is a huge regret of mine, that I stayed.

Keeping everything crossed for you!

I GOT THE JOB!!!! I'm thrilled!! Subject to references- they won't screw me over, will they??? I can't quite believe that it's over!! Thank you everyone, your support has been brilliant x

Well done and congratulations!

Congratulations.You deserve a fantastic job. Well done!

They can’t legally screw you over @Shabba2025!
Many congratulations!! Watch you don’t set your keyboard on fire typing out your resignation 😂

Pick any old BS leave reason, not that you have to give one. It’s gonna be a rocky few weeks on notice, you could always give statutory if you really wanted. Get out fast 😬

I’ve said to my line manager
I know I ask a lot of questions, it’s so I can best understand how to do things, I feel you have a short fuse with me and it mages me feel bad.

Well done OP. I missed your thread originally but it is the most heart wrenching awful to hate every minute at work.
Look forward to handing in your notice.

Brilliant! Well done