That one bitch at work

[llamadramawoes]

Nc'd but would appreciate advice.

Currently temping and been offered permanent contract. I Like the team but one of the admin ladies is horrid. Goes out of her way to make life awkward. Huffy and moody...

I hate conflict, but I'm seriously put off the job due to this one person. I've been in the industry 15 years. Shouldn't have trouble finding other work in my sector, although the hours I would like might not be as easy to get elsewhere.

Management seem to be aware, but I imagine she does her actual job really well. But supporting us? Not so much; and it is part of her role. She's been pulled up previously and has cried bullying and harassment. Maybe management are afraid of her?

WWYD?

Management sounds ineffective. Why is a junior member of staff ruling the roost? They should be addressing this problem more robustly. I'm not sure I could respect a management team as dithery as this.

Well apparently 'changes are afoot' . One manager has resigned, so they're kind of right about that.

Thing is.., they either know so either can't or won't make changes
Or they don't know and she's very good at hiding her nastiness! Gas lighting in fact.

I've just left my job due to a person at work who was like this. She was a cowbag that targeted me and another person as well, mostly because I think we would stick up for ourselves and not just pander to her strops. She was seriously vindictive.
I would disagree that there is a person like this in every workplace, I've come across difficult people before but she was something else and made me miserable.
Based on my experience I'd seriously consider not taking the role, luckily I've worked with lovely people so know how good work can be.

If you do accept the permanent role all you have to do is hope her behaviour changes when you go from temp to perm. And then pull her up if she does not work with you or report her to HR for not doing her job properly.

As a temp though sometimes other people do treat you appallingly (I've had it before) and you either treat the role as temp or if something else ignore them.

I personally see why you should have to put up with her childishness now but complaining about her before you accept the role may come across as bleating to HR.

I would also ignore any petty comments and whining. If she wants to go further then let her.

Or on the other hand, get another job!

Thanks all. I'm not going to take it. My heart's not in it tbh. She's so unpredictable I would dread having to deal with her.

I wouldn't let one person stop me taking a job.

I don't think it is just one person any more. It's the culture in which this is allowed to go on. The festering resentment and the fact management aren't good at dealing with this.

Lots of the team are on sick leave, for differing reasons but it's not being dealt with effectively. I would hate to either be off on sick leave or be the person trying to deal with it as a team lead. Each day I look and see things that I can cope with as a temp, but would really drag me down over time.

So although I originally posted thinking it was about this one person, I have realised it isn't. I don't want to work in this place.

OP, good you've worked this out and the culture before you get in properly.

I think you're brave not taking the job but you can do without ineffectual management and HR who keep people like this bully on.

Don't worry you will find another better job soon!