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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Work drama, please help!!

183 replies

Nameqhanger · 04/11/2019 19:41

So I work in a relatively large office, some would say quite cliquey, I've worked there for 3 years. Anyway, the 'queen bee', let's call her A. She's very popular even among the managers. She complains a lot and makes everything into a bigger issue than it is. Quite often she falls out with people in the office over minor things, she sometimes ends up crying and everyone goes to console her.

Anyway, A is part of our 'group' that usually meets up every few months or so outside work. I was in charge of organising it this time, and I arranged to meet at a local bar for drinks and a catch up out of work.

She wasn't at work the day when I told people my suggestion as she was off sick. I said I'd text her to let her know, which I did, but I never got a reply.

Well the drinks were supposed to be today, someone casually mentions it over lunch, she immediately starts creating a massive drama, saying nobody told her, we excluded her, and so on. Another colleague (B) was like well nameqhanger was organising it, she said she was going to text you. A is practically crying at this point, saying I obviously hate her and that's why I didn't text her, I've excluded her, none of us like her or we would have checked she knew.

The reason she didn't get the text was because she changed phone numbers, I found that out later. I actually had to get my phone out to prove to everyone that I did actually text her because everyone was trying to console A as she was crying. I did point out that she could still come with us as it hadn't happened yet. Apparently no, she had something already booked.

B texted me tonight (after we all went out without her because she couldn't make it) to say A had posted a cryptic facebook status about it all. B thinks I need to text A an apology. I actually already apologised to A multiple times at work. I feel bad that I didn't get the message to her, but I feel like I've been made to look like the bad guy here.

AIBU to not send another apology to A?

OP posts:
Drum2018 · 04/11/2019 20:33

Only option is to message B and say that you are heartbroken A didn’t give you her new number, she obviously hates you and doesn’t want to include you and you feel everyone else has betrayed you by not telling you she had changed her number.

Actually that's not a bad idea - turns it back onto A Grin

Careylisa · 04/11/2019 20:37

I really would do as @flashingbeacon
jokingly suggested!!!

Branster · 04/11/2019 20:40

I think you should completely ignore her behaviour and not discuss about A with anyone apart from strictly work related matters whilst at work. Your point should be : And why was there so much time wasted during working hours about an out of work meeting? Cover your arse and talk to management about it as a way to log her behaviour with someone.

wineisnecessary · 04/11/2019 20:44

If you already apologised why do you need to do it again ? .
Also you'd think 1 of the others world of text to ask if she was coming if you had no reply .
Nah leave the drama queen to it .
If anyone says anything further just say I've already apologised so nothing further I can do . I didn't know she changed her number and tbh you'd think someone may have told you .

rebbonk · 04/11/2019 20:45

She's throwing a ball and you keep catching it. Stop catching it and she'll soon get fed up throwing it.

HappyHammy · 04/11/2019 20:45

they are picking on you, expecting you to apologise, sending coded messages on FB, siding with her antics, making you look like the bad one. this is silly childish bullying and something I would discuss with my manager. there's always some complete twit who has to spoil it for everyone one, I think I must have worked with her in my last job!

Gingerninja01 · 04/11/2019 20:46

A sounds like a complete knob and I can’t believe your colleagues actually entertain nonsense like the example you’ve given. How old is she?!

flashingbeacon · 04/11/2019 20:49

I can’t believe she doesn’t enjoy the drama (because otherwise she would have got a grip when she left school) so I wouldn’t stoop to her level because it’ll end up in factions. UNLESS you do find yourself in a meeting with a manager in which case battle drama with drama.

MerryDeath · 04/11/2019 20:51

how pathetic. if either take it to management or ignore completely, depending on your particular situation. they almost certainly know what a div she is if she complains a lot.

plightofthealbatross · 04/11/2019 20:52

She sounds like a massive baby, completely unprofessional and manipulative.

I wouldn't apologise again.

imagine if you started crying, too, and sobbed about her not letting you know her new phone number? Everyone else knew ... why didn't she tell you?

carlywurly · 04/11/2019 20:53

We had one of these. She thought everyone loved her. They really didn't. There was widespread relief when she left. The office is far less dramatic now.

CmdrCressidaDuck · 04/11/2019 20:55

Stop giving all this childish bollocks headspace. Ignore the social media, ignore the drama and tears, and don't text any apologies. Don't "defend yourself" with screenshots etc either. Get on with your work. If anyone says anything to you in person, raise an eyebrow, say "I'm sorry she's upset" and change the subject back to work.

NotTerfNorCis · 04/11/2019 20:55

She sounds insane. Why does anyone like her?

officeslave1 · 04/11/2019 20:56

Don’t apologise again.

BumbleBeee69 · 04/11/2019 20:57

She sounds like a right vile nasty pain in the arse.

Did she inform everyone of her change of Mobile, I suspect NOT.

Do not apologise or feed into her hysterics. Flowers

TheABC · 04/11/2019 20:58

Stay dry, stay factual and don't feed the drama machine.

BackOnceAgainWithABurnerEmail · 04/11/2019 21:01

What a numpty.

MesmorisedByTheLights · 04/11/2019 21:03

Blimey, don't apologise any more! You did nothing wrong. She sounds crazy and dramatic.
Ignore it. And next time send her invite by text, email, post and carrier pigeon so she gets the fucking message.

CupanTaeiSiochain · 04/11/2019 21:08

Well, I am going to guess that she is not as popular as you think she is. She is not well-liked.

I think that she is good at putting herself at the centre of everything and most people have deduced that it's easier to collude with her perception of herself as universally popular. That is different to being popular.

Just carry on focusing on individual relationships for a while. I have had experience of a nightmare woman at work doing her absolute level best to exclude me. She has left now thankfully, but when people manipulate the social dynamics around them it can wreck your head I know. Just remind yourself that being liked for yourself is worth more than being perceived to be a danger (if the group doesn't collude her perception of herself). If she's always in the centre of everything it's because this shit happens and people fear that she could exclude them.

Medievalist · 04/11/2019 21:09

Why does nobody tell her to behave like an adult rather than like she's at primary school? Why are people tolerating this pathetic, childish and manipulative behaviour? Confused

CupanTaeiSiochain · 04/11/2019 21:15

Because they could end up being the one excluded from the group by a forceful character with no real sense of herself.

LifeImplosionImminent · 04/11/2019 21:22

I absolutely can't stand people like A - why is there always a fucker like A in every workplace? Everything is about them, the waterworks is such an effective method of control. You have explained why she didn't get the text, she can fuck right off with that woe is me attitude. Be careful with her from now on - document every interaction or have witnesses on your side, because fuckers like her can turn sinster on a dime and you'll find yourself out of a job. I've seen it many times before...

CallmeAngelina · 04/11/2019 21:22

Would I chuff send another apology.
She was bloody lucky she got so many in person today.

Crinkle77 · 04/11/2019 21:24

Please don't pander to get it her cronies anymore OP.

Monkeyseesmonkeydoes · 04/11/2019 21:24

I’m baffled as to why she’s popular.