Im up shit creek at work, due to office bullying. any help?

[Schokofruhstucksflockenhasseri]

I joined a new company a few weeks ago. Right from the start, the signs were bad.

I went there for a job interview, but was given a short contract immediately, with the promise of more work if I turned in a good performance. They didnt even ask if I was free to start work - I wasnt - but I managed to get the job done by working through the night. The company also told me that I had to work on my own laptop, and buy a software package that costs around 300 euros. They said that this is standard for their contractors, and I could see that this is true. The contract work is very well paid, so I swallowed my objections, and went and bought a laptop.

My main contact was on holiday for the first 2 weeks. The real trouble started when he got back. This guy is well known as being difficult to work with, but everyone else also thinks hes the best engineer in the department (I dont), and therefore, they put up with his behaviour.

The first comment was when I heard him saying to someone else, that my work should have been done quicker, because it was "only cutting and pasting". The job was writing a document of some code written by this guy, so I did cut and paste bits of his code as examples, and also some of his comments. But I had to understand the product very quickly, and create a document, so it was definitely much more than cutting and pasting.

I was told that if I had any questions, I should ask this guy, so accordingly, I did ask him a few things. This gave him ammunition to go to the line manager and tell him that I am a bad engineer, because what I asked him was stuff I should have already known. I dont think this is true, but it was very damaging for me.

One day, I asked this guy 2 questions in 1 day, and I was told that this was too much, and I should save all my questions up, and only ask him once a day.

Therefore, I avoided him as much as possible, as he seemed like trouble. My next job was to construct a CD-ROM for a customer, using code written by this guy. He had created a stupid directory structure, so I changed it. I searched for other projects that might be affected by my changes, and found 1, so I changed that too. Unfortunately, I missed a couple of lines in a file, so when he came into work and opened up this other project, he couldnt view some files because of my changes.

Again, I should explain that in software engineering this is fairly normal, and in fact the same thing happened to me the previous week, because this guy had himself forgotten to check a file in, so my project didnt work. I had to go and remind him to check the file in.

Anyway, instead of telling me, this guy kicked up a huge stink, deleted all my changes, and told the line manager that I had made unnecessary changes, and hampered the real work of the department. He said that I was a liability and should be got rid of.

On Thursday, we had a department meeting, and this bully shouted at me, in German, about these changes, and that I had no right to make them etc. I couldnt defend myself because I didnt understand most of what he was saying. Nobody else said anything. They dont really know me, or the details of the situation. The bully accused me of meddling without asking his permission.

The project manager independently looked at my work later, and came to the same conclusion as me, that these changes needed to be made, but he has told me that his opinion counts for nothing, as the line manager will only listen to this other guy.

On Friday, the line manager, the project manager, and this bullying colleague had a meeting about me, at which the bully tried to throw more mud at me, and the project manager defended me. The bully has told my line manager that I cant work on my own, that I ask too many questions (around 8 times in a month!!) and that I am a bad engineer. I have now been asked to add a technical section to my software guide, explaining what the measurements being taken mean (they are channel impulse response measurements). The implication is that I am a lightweight who wont be able to do this.

It is so unfair, because everyone else has had months to learn all this stuff, and I have got to explain it all in just a few days, and I cant ask anyone in the department, now that I have been fingered as not knowing anything.
Basically, I have been set up to fail, by being given a job that is too difficult. This bully thinks I wont be able to do it.
Ive been looking on the internet all day, but the detailed info I need istn really there.

How the hell should I deal with this?
I am really trapped. I got this contract through a personal contact, and if I walk out and kick up a stink, this person will suffer. I cant communicate and explain all as I would like to, because my German isnt good enough.

My field is a small community, and what this bully is saying is slander (or libel, Im not sure), and may very likely damage my future prospects of getting a job, if it is known that I left this place under a cloud.

I just dont know what to do, but I am at the end of my tether, as I now have no job as well as no children and nowhere to live after Christmas.

oh bloody hell this is a novel but I need to explain it all to myself as much as anything else, to try and work out what to do. thanks to anyone who bothers reading to the end!

Shit, sorry to hear this. Must go and put ds to bed but will think about it. First, though, what about your personal contact - could you explain the situation to him/her? Presumably they know someone at the firm who might be an ally?

Blimey! Is there anyone at the company you trust to talk to - Anyone whose German is better so that they can maybe help get your points across? Why does your line manager only listen to the bully - not much of a line manager IMO!?? I'd find out if ayone else has had problems & then speak to them to see how it was resolved.

The line manager is a piece of shit.

My contact is sympathetic and helpful, but he cant do anything as he is relatively new himself. And I dont want to bring him down as well.

Apparently the bully got rid of another English speaking contractor once before. The colleague who told me that, was looking over his shoulder the whole time, to check that he wasnt spotted talking to me.

Good grief, what a nightmare. You poor thing .

First things first - could the project manager help you with the difficult project? He's already stuck his neck out for you once and certainly seems to have the measure of the bully. It wouldn't be in his interests to have you fail. It seems to me you have to complete this project correctly as it will put you in a very strong position re the bully. I'd also be inclined to write down everything that happens with dates/times etc so you are totally sure of your facts.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge about these things will be along shortly. In the meantime, deep breaths.

I have already been advised to speak to the line manager, and will hopefully do that on Monday. I hate the whole situation though, as he now apparently thinks I am useless, and so it will be really easy to put my foot in it.

As for the bully, what can I say to someone who has gone around telling all and sundry behind my back that I am useless?

I will do my best with the document, but understanding it properly would take more time than Ive got.

Sympathies. It is very, very difficult when you're a contractor and put into that kind of situation.

Can you write your concerns clearly in German, as an email? Or can you maybe pull off the "me no understandee, speak English" approach? (Let's face it, could they be any more annoyed with you anyway?)

The project manager seems to lack the authority to manage the project's staff (I've just done a project management course, so I Know It All at the mo ) and this may be a problem. But I've worked with this kind of uber-geek programmer before, whose work is untouchable and whose word is law. One even gave me a bollocking on an email distribution list that included our customers - how professional was that?!

What is your relationship like with the line manager? There is definitely no point going and badmouthing the bully, but is there any scope for saying "oh dear, I've upset Narky Norbert [poss not really name] - this is how we do things in the UK what a muddle" or something like that?

Btw, some permies resent contractors, for getting paid megabux often with little or no justification. I've blagged my way through contracts on several occasions - are you sure of your footing, i.e. you weren't brought in as a specialist on this thing? It doesn't sound like it. In which case it's perfectly reasonable to point out that you have a learning curve to climb.

It's also normal to have a laptop although I've always been provided with a PC to work on and have never bought specialist software.

This is a horrible situation for you - I honestly think your best hope is to make a graceful exit and find work elsewhere but that's easy to say and hard to do.

Zog - Im writing everything down. Am considering buying a tape recorder on Monday.

I will manage something for the document, it probably wont be my usual standard, and in engineering, you have to be 100% sure of what you are saying, otherwise its bullshit. There is no room for opinions or half measures.

that is a good point tribpot. They asked no questions, in fact I didnt really have a job interview at all, but now they are turning round and saying "Well, we expected you to be a specialist at this"

I cant publish his real name - but it is very similar to Wanker - which is how I think of him!

I see he probably resents you for having the effrontery not to be a native German speaker. Can I suggest singing "Two World Wars and one World Cup" in your head at least (Apols to any German MNers reading this, would not suggest this except in extremis).

If they expect you to be a specialist at something despite having never asked you if you were, or checking your CV, I would simply stand your ground and say "I am not. I am happy to attempt the work in a reasonable timescale, or happy to leave as clearly there's been a misunderstanding" and throw the ball back to them.

I dont think I have the courage to do that. Its not so clear cut as to be obvious to anyone, becuase I have done similar though not identical stuff in the past. I dont like to leave a situation that could be twisted against me when Im not there to defend myself.

I am sounding too negative, I know.

Very sorry to hear about the situation you're in. Must be very stressful. I don't have any experience in your professional field but I do know what bullying at work is like. I would thoroughly recommend putting together dated noted of everything that's happened to you and continues to happen to you - unreasonable requests, obnoxious behaviour, emails, calls.

If this ever becomes a you against him type situation in an open forum then a contemporary record like that can be a devastating 'weapon'. e.g. page after page of Monday 30th, politely asked Mr W*nker to clarify the procedure for X. Was told to [insert crap behaviour here].' You might even want to ostentatiously make the notes in front of him as it can unnerve a bully to know what they're doing is being recorded.

I appreciate that this can be difficult when you're a contractor and not a full-time staff member though.

What a mess! Are you working for a German company in the UK or overseas, if so maybe an appointment with someone who specialises in local employment law wouldn't go amiss...too make sure you leave this situation with your head held high and no losses financially or professionally, God luck being on the recieving end of a bully is never easy no matter what your age, keep your head held high, sounds like he's got his own issues!!!!!

I have thought about asking a lawyer, but proving everything might be difficult. Effectively this one person is likely to lose me further work with this company.

I like the idea of ostentatiously recording everything that he says though, later to be sent to the HR department. He is a total tosser.

So sorry - what a terrible situation. What I'm about to say might sound harsh but it's meant to be constructive as well as give you a different perspective.

It seems to me that unfortunately you've walked right into this mess by not having agreed objectives/job description up front when you were given your contract. Although it's a bit late, perhaps you should be asking for a better definition of your role/responsibilities?

If you're not a native speaker, then shouting and ranting at you in German was truly unforgiveable, but you seem to have just sat there and accepted it. Did you not stop them and ask them - politely, of course! - to speak in English? If your German isn't good enough it's not a crime - you could just ask for clarification. But to be brutal, if your German isn't good enough, should you be doing the job?

An earlier poster talked about the resentment that can be created by highly paid contractors - and resentment will be fuelled if they think you're not up to the job and you can't speak the language adequately.

And now you've been given a task that you say is too difficult. If the task that they have given you is beyond your capabilities then you should have stated that immediately when they gave it to you. Now you are in a situation where you look bound to fail, unless you can find a way to get that knowledge very quickly.

The only way I can see to get out of this and keep your reputation intact is to do the job, and make sure you do it really well. Can the project manager help you here? Surely there must be others that you know in the industry who could help you out?

Hope you manage to find a way through this.

Message withdrawn

Hope that Mon and tues have been better. This person wants you to fail and is doing everything in his power to do that.

He has succeeded before so do not give him the satisfaction of doing it again.

Write down every contact you have with him. Heresay may be tricky to prove.

He will probably use every trick in the book to undermine you and if you are able to work to your best ability - do.

If you work diligently and professionally that will speak for itself. If he is not as good as he and they think he is there will come a time when this will become apparent.

Treat his behaviour and him as a 'joke' and always give your line manager copies of your work so that he doesn't have to rely on 'the biggest bully in town' getting their first rubbishing you.

Good luck - nerves of steel are needed - but ultimately if you are more than capable of doing the job then do it.

I have to say I agree with Starrmum.

I think the best you can do now is work really hard and do your best to get the job done well. That is what your boss is ultimately after. That's what the bully is after too and if you make an effort to work with him on his terms than you probably end up better off in the end. He may resent you because you were hired without his approval.

Whatever you do, do not launch an all out war against this guy, he is in the stronger position and you will lose. Believe me, I have been there. Do not act as a victim. Try and take on a possitive attitude (I know this is very difficult). Your objective is to get the job done and do it well.

You are saying everybody knows this guy is horrible, this should work to your advantage and will earn you a lot of respect if you manage to work with him.

I am not sure what justaphase means by "That's what the bully is after too ". Typical behaviour from a bully would be to give you impossible deadlines and/or impossible workload (then complain if you work evenings/weekends to get it all done), to change the objectives part way through a task, to complain about minor matters as if they were major, and generally give you no option but to "fail" by their criteria. The best way to oppose it is to get away from the influence of the bully in whatever way you can - changing managers/jobs/departments/countries as necessary, and as soon as possible. The effect of bullying is pernicious and incremental - it keeps on getting worse.

agree with clerkkent - you have to get away. the Andrea Adams Trust deals with bullying in the workplace and may offer some good advice.

good luck this is a horrible situation