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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Work related (very long. . .

72 replies

SmellslikeDEMONcatspee · 31/10/2011 19:15

It?s a work thing.

I can't remember ever feeling like this before

This was my dream job and one little shit has ruined it all, and sadly I seem to be the only one who can see the manoeuvring and game playing, thought I think one or two are starting to wake up to it a little.

Because our team was always so supportive of each other they can't see that LS (Little Shit) isn't been supportive and helpful, they're shit stirring. LS is actually very very good at it, very subtle, I have had a year of constantly been undermined, making comments about how difficult life is for me, generally spreading the idea that I am incompetent.
Comments like 'well she's having such a bad time at the moment, you can't expect her to be working at 100%' but never saying what it is I've done wrong or not done?

I?m actually being gas-lighted by this person.

There has only been one incident that I can point to without looking like I?m paranoid. A comment made in an email about how they'll have to chase me up for my feedback again, done in a jokey tone but sent to the whole department. This one only stands up as I had commented to my line manager in my 1-2-1 that I needed to speak to LS as I had not received the above info and as I knew that timelines were tight I needed to chase it up. Put down to an accident on LS side and a word had about keeping dept wide emails professional.

Asking them a question, going with the answer and been told the next day etc that I was wrong, I should have asked, or that I misunderstood.

And then again this week.

It's hard to explain but while LS doesn't have any line manager authority, they do have QC authority over about 10% of my job. Normal practice is to meet and discuss issues/problems, upcoming events.

Due to have one of these meetings last week they contacted me via IM and asked if we could cancel it as it clashed with another meeting they had. No skin off my nose said fine, they asked me to rearrange.
(Was working from home on this day).

Go in to office the next day to concern from manager that I'm finding my work load too much as LS has been trying to arrange a meeting with me, but I'm soo busy I keep cancelling and rearranging. Of course the conversation was done by IM so no easily retrievable record. And I was the helpful prat who cancelled and rearranged the meeting

(Am now keeping a record of all IM conversations with this person, which
does actually make me look paranoid).

I keep getting random comments/ questions from people both in my team and in the dept asking how I am and how am I coping etc. That LS has said how brave I'm being how well I'm coping etc etc.

Again as my colleagues are generally a great bunch of people they are actually concerned for me, they are being sincere. The thing is there is nothing wrong with me or my life (no more so that anyone else's, admittedly I wouldn't turn down a lottery windfall Grin)

I have had a lot happen this year ill health for both OH and me, but in my case my ill health resulted in surgery that has made my life and health 100% better. And for OH it was discovered that he had a serious cardiac condition, that was picked up by chance, he too has had surgery and will be on meds for the rest of his life but we see this as a VERY VERY good thing, not that he was ill but that it was caught so early, while he was young/fit and not too much hidden damage had been done and that the rest of his family could be screened. I mean he's back training for the marathon FFS

I've not made a big song and dance about it, just got on as is my norm. (So the more I say I'm fine, no issues, no problems, the more I'm seen as 'Brave')

People know about OH as he knows people I work with social, independently from me, so they knew that he had been in and out of hospital.

I have not missed one deadline, slacked off on any work, in fact have taken on new projects but this constant chipping is starting to take effect.

I?m also slowly being isolated socially, as a team we go out about every 2 months, a date is picked and we go for a meal, bowling etc. It is assumed that not everyone will make every night people have lives. For the last year since LS started to arrange these nights every single one has been on a day I cannot attend, once, twice even 3 times I can see as coincidental, but 7 in a row? (Been told today that it has been commented on, but that LS had played the line that I wasn't happy to leave OH alone at night. And really I didn't want to talk about it, wasn't I sooo brave)

In fact I was starting to wonder if I was being paranoid until recently. I met someone who had worked with LS before and they have form. (OH and I work in same industry, this was someone OH knew, didn't realise that I was working directly with LS. LS had done the same in previous job; in that case LS's 'victim' had a nervous breakdown, and all the little digs etc only came out after LS left.

Because none of this is head on I really don't know what to do. But this is affecting my work reputation I need to address it without seeming either paranoid or aggressive, either of which would play in to LS's hands

OP posts:
Planetoftheeggnog · 29/11/2011 00:49

So little shit has morphed into Weasel-faced shit...

Organise a 'Secret Santa', and give him a fake dog turd as a present.

AgnesBligg · 29/11/2011 00:53

God almighty just read this thread in one go. Go OP go.

Planetoftheeggnog that is a vair funny and apt idea Grin.

ContraryMartha · 29/11/2011 03:54

Woah.
That is very bizarre behaviour!
Can you bring up the attempted cancellation at your next meeting?

TiredOfGoingRoundInCircles · 29/11/2011 08:14

Have been following this thread, really pleased to hear that LS is kind of off your back, but totally shocked that he would sink to the level of trying to cancel the Christmas meal ! WTF?!
I would definitely try to bring up the attempted cancellation at the next meeting - can you enlist the help of Bob in this?
Good Luck!

Grumpla · 29/11/2011 08:31

Ooh well done OP ( and Bob!) sounds like you're doing a great job.

I'd definitely bring up the attempted cancellation of the do at the meeting. Maybe in a kind of jokey way? E.g. "Hey guys, bit of a mystery here - apparently someone tried to CANCEL our booking! I guess that's a good sign though right - it's obviously someone from another company / department who didn't get their booking in quick enough! We had such a GREAT time there last year, so I guess the venue's in really high demand if there are folk playing such dirty tricks to get in! !"

Keeping a paper trail is always a brilliant idea, sounds like you pretty much have this covered already.

I like phrases such as "Further to our conversation on X date morning" because it gets them properly dated as well.

AgathaCrusty · 29/11/2011 11:55

I would email everyone in your department/everyone invited to the meal. Act as though some huge practical joke as just occurred, and ask who is the comedian who tried to cancel the Xmas party by giving the excuse that you were ill. Say in your email that you were notified by the venue, and that luckily they had the good sense to check with you before they cancelled it so no harm done.

plupervert · 29/11/2011 12:22

I really hope this bastard either leaves the company soon, or gets caught out and has a proper disciplinary, which then stays on his record, as it's going to be a real strain living and working like this now. Talk about a sword of Damocles!

Pancakeflipper · 29/11/2011 12:33

I reading this agog, I thought I was the only one to go through this OP ( except mine was female and my boss).

Keep going, slowly and slowly. his glitter is falling off and with very little intervention from you - he'll soon be naked for all to see looking like a burk.

Please keep updating. And keep your dignity. You will feel a great sense of satisfaction that you kept control.

ljgibbs · 04/01/2012 10:51

Any further developments? How did the christmas party go?

poorbuthappy · 04/01/2012 10:58

another bump. I have been wondering about this!

TheGrimSweeper · 04/01/2012 11:13

Yes please to update!

Smellslikecatspee · 04/01/2012 11:17

Hi, will be back, when not in work to update, but all is going better and meal went without a hitch.............Grin

tallwivglasses · 04/01/2012 12:38

Oooh, I love a good update...

Smile
atosilis · 04/01/2012 13:42

I've just found this and taking note of the tips. I am going through an annoying experience where my immediate boss is hanging on to her job by her fingernails (about to be retired, over 60) and making out that I am incapable of doing mine without her help. She micro-manages every.single.thing I do. I was beginning to give up but now I will change tactics.

Portofino · 04/01/2012 15:19

Oh yes I would love to hear that LS has been well and truly rumbled!

Smellslikecatspee · 04/01/2012 20:45

I can believe anyone remembered this!!

Anyway sadly LS has not been totally rumbled, but we?re getting there.
The Christmas meal went great much to his disgust, we got special treatment by the staff nothing was too good for us. I didn?t have a chance to let it be known that someone had tried to cancel (lots of family stuff happening in the meantime) but friend of friend Manager (not assistant sorry) dropped it in to the middle of the main course Grin

With a comment of ?lucky Smells is so on the ball, that I knew to call her?

He spend the whole meal looking like he was sucking lemons, did get a few of the team fussing over him was he ok etc etc, but as Bob was sat near them he just kept filling up their glasses and he was soon sitting alone sulking. (LS doesn?t drink). Once he realised that he wasn?t centre of attention he seemed to snap out of it a bit.

But all in all was a really good night, and as OH had volunteered to be chauffeur for several of the team he popped in near the end and was seen by all to be fit and well.

Apparently on the Monday he claimed that he hadn?t been well the following day hinting at food poisoning. (I missed this Bob heard all) Boss came back with with ?Oh no it couldn?t be from the dinner, it was wonderful Smells has such good taste. You must have been coming down with something you weren?t yourself on the night?

He hasn?t tried anything with either me or Bob and recording IM conversations has become pretty much the norm in the team. So his avenues seem to be getting smaller.

However am aware that now that we have him on the run he may become more sneaky etc so am being very very careful about record keeping etc as is Bob.

More people seem to be feeling uncomfortable around him he was off for a few days before the office closed for Christmas and the change in the general atmosphere was commented on, everyone was very chilled and relaxed. Even Bob commented the he hadn?t realised the vague undertone until it was gone.

However having had a lovely break I in myself feel much more confident and with the one ?fake? Oh dear how was Christmas for you and OH, quiet? I just laughed and said I had come back to work for a rest that we were out and about every day. [suck lemon face] from LS.

So I will pop in again and let you know if anything happens there are a few reorganisations going on at work so am half hoping he will go for something to do with that ; only half hoping as I wouldn?t want anyone else to go through this.

Though if he does go I am not so good as to not have a little party Grin

poorbuthappy · 05/01/2012 08:37

Excellent Grin
You gave to keep us up to date on this!

Portofino · 05/01/2012 08:56

Grin Well done!

ljgibbs · 05/01/2012 09:31

Thank you for updating us. Thanks

SarahBumBarer · 05/01/2012 12:49

Hi Catspee Smile well done you. It is great how much more confident and upbeat you sound than in your OP. You sound like you can totally take him in your stride now.

tallwivglasses · 06/01/2012 10:43

Excellent. I love it when the baddie gets his comeuppance Grin

PludolphTheRedNosedReindeer · 06/01/2012 18:51

Wonder if he knows how to behave and work normally, though... Is he capable of change?

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