Workplace Bully

[ProfessorScarlett]

One of my superiors at work is a bully. Makes some employees work very difficult, sets unattainable targets, expects ridiculous overtime (unpaid as private sector salaried staff) etc. Seems to do it on a rotation basis so staff dont collectively complain. This seems to have been going on for several years.

I'm quite new (two months in) and so far have seen two resignations and one person off with a breakdown. From what I can tell, the directors above her must know of the issues as I know past staff have complained and there's a high staff turnover. But nothing gets done about it, she's obviously good/useful at her job in some ways and presumably hard to remove her (even though there is a high cost to the high staff turnover).

Aibu to just keep my head down to avoid becoming a 'target' find another job and leave? If the directors wanted to do something about her behaviour they'd have acted by now, there have been enough negative comments/complaints about her?

I’ve worked under a bullying manager. Several of us were off at various times with work related stress, all of us ended up on antidepressants. My confidence was destroyed & my marriage was affected as I was constantly stressed & miserable.

Leave

Several years on I still suffer MH problems. If I could turn back time id leave ASAP instead of sticking it out for 4 years.

Leave and ask for an exit interview. What sort of work is it where people just stay on and do unpaid overtime.

@3001signon sorry to hear that you're still affected. Its horrible! I agree, unless by pure luck the bullying boss finds a new job, then it's unlikely anything will change.

@BlanketsBanned it's office based work, professionals so salaried staff which is why overtime is unpaid. A bit of overtime is fair enough, but giving people so much workload that they can't possibly do it without constant overtime is really unfair.

I'm remembering workplaces where I've seen bullying in the past and it seems to be rarely addressed, unless a staff member raises a serious grievance etc. Most of the time it's brushed under the carpet...

Keep a record of everything you experience and plan your exit before the line manager breaks you.

What sort of work is it where people just stay on and do unpaid overtime.

Every job I've ever had lol. The difference is, with the good employers there is some give and take with getting time back when you really need it.

OP, either report it and face the consequences or wait until you've got another job then report it. It needs dealing with of course but that takes someone who is willing to put their head above the parapet. (Which wouldn't be me.)

Leave. Things will never change.

@BlanketsBanned

Leave and ask for an exit interview. What sort of work is it where people just stay on and do unpaid overtime.

You've never worked in the charity sector then? Overtime is expected and never paid. Whole days of it at a time. And very often no TOIL either.

I would (and did) leave. Made as much of a fuss as I could bring myself to do before I got out. It was very draining and I still get really cross about how I was treated a year later.

I'm in a similar situation. I'm leaving. The way you spend your days is how you are spending your life. Do you want to spend your life being hunted, criticised, dreading your work?

@DebiNewberry1997 congrats! How did you explain your short stint in your last job at your new employer interview?

I've done overtime in most jobs tbh, but a bullying boss does stuff like sets new 'urgent' tasks 15 minutes before you're due to leave, gives short and unrealistic deadlines, sets tasks they know a staff member will struggle with...horrible.

@ProfessorScarlett

I'm going freelance. I'm keeping my powder dry re handing in my notice. A contact will get their funding confirmed next month and they reckon they will have work for me. I've signed up for extra training in my own time and at my own cost; applied for a business start up loan; been saving like crazy; done swot analysis stuff; putting out feelers for mentor etc.

This is going to be the best thing that ever happened to me.

If you intend leaving then tell the company that, because of your manager, and the fact they haven't dealt with it, then you will be looking for another job.

Leave. I worked for someone like this for 2 years and it took almost as long again to regain my self confidence as a capable employee.

@DebiNewberry1997 sounds like a great move, I'm sure you'll do brilliantly!

@BathTangle so sorry to hear that...it does take its toll, I find that looking at job adverts I just feel anxious and lost the confidence I've had when working in decent environments in the past. I'll leave as soon as I have secured a new job!

I was bullied for years in my job, I reported it the whole time and was told it was being dealt with, nothing ever happened and I think similarly to you, they thought they couldn’t say anything to her, and just wanted it to go away or for me to get on with it. I’m leaving now and it feels like a weight has been lifted. I told them exactly why I’m leaving, others have since reported the behaviour too and there is more pressure for something to change. I know how hard it is and I hope you find something better!

Please google them.

A guy at work was intent to make my life hell with nasty and abrupt messages until I googled their name. I found more then the linkedin profile let's say.

Got a very nasty surprise as to what they escaped jail for. It came as a total oh my. it took a day a day or two to deal with what they got into trouble with the law for. I would never be bullied by this person now.

[quote DebiNewberry1997]@ProfessorScarlett

I'm going freelance. I'm keeping my powder dry re handing in my notice. A contact will get their funding confirmed next month and they reckon they will have work for me. I've signed up for extra training in my own time and at my own cost; applied for a business start up loan; been saving like crazy; done swot analysis stuff; putting out feelers for mentor etc.

This is going to be the best thing that ever happened to me.[/quote]
Good for you, I hope it does. I admire your courage! My situation is much like the one OP is talking about, and I fantasize about doing what you’re doing.

What sector are you in @ProfessorScarlett ? It sounds like something that's going on at my work. I can't wait for this person to move on but I've found that it's either them or someone slightly worse who is next in line. Everyone has started to jump ship because they can't stand it.