Aagh! I dread going into work - awkward situation

[zippyb]

Really need some advice as I feel that if Idon't sort this out soon I really want to hand my notice in. I only work for a couple of hours each day but have found that it has really helped me with my depression and of couse the extra money has been handy. During the last couple of months I have had a bit of hassle with work regarding my hours which I think we have finally sorted out. One woman I work with (not any senior to me but USED to be a supervisor & still has delusions of power) has been trying to stir things with my line manager about my hours - comments like ' I never know what your hours are' etc & really resentful of the fact that I have altered my working hours due to working around caring for DS. Anyway last week i left the floor at work to go upstairs (2 mins before I was due to finish - I needed a wee!) only to have this woman shouting after me 'Its only 2 minutes to 9!' I ignored her & off I went - well as DH was at home last work I had time to eat a lovely cooked breakfast (a very rare treat as it is such a military operation organising DS each morning) - she then as soon as I left the table (as told by a good friend - sends moaning about me to our personnel officer that I was rushing out of work early & there I am enjoying a breakfast! I felt I couldn't confront this woman as I would have got really upset (I am very quiet at work) so wrongly or rightly I went to my line manager & said that I didn't want any trouble but felt she was really having a go & it was making work difficult. Now the atmosphere is awful & to make matters worse I was moaning about her to my colleague & you've guessed it she appeared from around the corner where obviously she had heard every word. Oh god if this all sounds pathetic then I am sorry but it is really upsetting me - raced out of work & had a terrible tummy upset - due to my nerves I know but not very nice. Life in general sucks at the moment but at least I used to be able to 'escape to work' & have a bit of time that I was just doing something for myself. Now I really just want to jack it all in & lock myself indoors. Sorry ramblings of a mad woman but think it has helped just to have a moan.

Zippyb, I feel so sorry for you, I know what its like, I used to work for a company that had a factory attached and it was part of my duty to report to the storeman. I found that the factory was very bitchy and because I was only 19 and had a lot of male attention that shop floor girls didn't like it. They made up stories about me and kept telling my boss that I was wasting time on the factory floor. Like you I was close to handing in my notice, but I didn't because apart from that I enjoyed my job and wasn't going to let these silly women ruin my life.

I had enough one day, and got the 'ring leader' on her own in the toilet and asked what her problem was with me, you could tell that me saying that made her feel uncomfortable, she replied that she hadn't and ever the time we managed to be more friendly and I then started babysitting for her, until she ran off with the storeman.

is there anyway that you could get this women on her own and ask what you have done that's so bad, don't go shouting the odds as this will get her back up. What have you got to lose, I mean you are thinking of handing in your notice anyway, so give it a shot and you might be suprised.

Good luck and let me know how you got on.

Zippyb - she sounds like a right cow! And she's obviously got a chip on her shoulder. She needs brought down a peg or 2. Confronting her is definitely the next step. She won't know what's hit her. And next time she makes comments about the time just laugh hysterically in her face..... that always annoys people. Don't give her the satsifaction of you quitting.

Good Luck.

Thanks breeze & mum2toby - it does help to 'talk' about it and yes she is a right cow! Comes in late - spends her breaks trying on clothes therefore has longer breaks than anyone else!! I think most people in work know what she's like but not many stand up to her so she wanders around like she's in charge of the whole place. She won't be in work tomorrow so at least I won't have her to think about but of couse when she is back in I still have to work with her. I will try & ignore her and carry on like normal but I am such a worrier! Oh well am taking DS to Bear in Big Blue House this afternoon so at least that should take my mind off it for a bit - never know maybe I'll even enjoy it.

Oh breeze did laugh at that girl running off with the storeman! Maybe this woman will do something similar - which would be nice!!!

What is the saying - Don't let the bastards grind you down - she sounds like a school bully and you should probably try and deal with her as if she is one. Think positive - everyone else knows what she is like and when she starts at you think to yourself what others think of her - always works for me. Also, if you have a genuine reason to leave the floor like needing the loo - just respond with a 'Trying to hang on to the end of the day but if I hold on any longer I will wet myself here and now!!!!'
If it does continue and gets worse how approachable is the personnel officer - is it worth having a chat with her, ask her whether there is a problem with your work, etc. etc.

I've found if you deal with people like that in a totally unexpected way they often back off as they're not sure how to handle you!

For instance if she says oh look at the time, you just say oh yes it's two minutes to. Or if she says I never know what hours you work just laugh and say oh my memory's pretty awful too! You cold try behaving as if she's your best friend, and take everything she says as if it's really useful advice, or take everything she says as if you're expecting a final explanatory sentance - for instance ' the time, yes I can see it, what about it - sorry, not quite sure what you're trying to say.

Could be quite good fun actually trying to think of ways to unsettle her....... Vindictive nature coming out here!

titchy, I like it!

Just a couple of lines to say that although work is still horrible & awkward I am having a week off (already booked) and am off to seaside with DH & DS - to be honest if I hadn't had this booked would have walked by now... Horrible woman still bit funny but when she was last in at least spoke to me! Hope the sea air does me good - honestly can't take any more.

Get her a stick of rock with b!**h thru the middle .........

Yeah leese.... then go into work on Monday and shove it right up her....
.... where the sun don't shine!!

Ks - work is a bit better - woman who caused problems was really 'funny' with me at work for a few days after I had spoken to my line manager but - fingers crossed - she has been quite ok with me for the last two weeks. Mind you she has been off sick the last week! Am really trying to rise above it all at the moment but if I have any more problems then although it will be very difficult for me I will take it further. I really need the job - not just for the money but for my own self-confidence so will not let a silly cow put the boot in. Mind you - have just had a couple of glasses of wine so may be false confidence talking! Thank you for asking how it is going though - I always forget to go back to threads.