Hello, please may I join?
It’s disturbing how many bullies there are in the workplace. I’ve encountered bullies in every job I’ve had. It’s horrendous isn’t it. 💐For all going through crap.
I’m going through a situation at work with two colleagues, A and B. If I describe the situation to you, please will you be honest and say what you think is going on? I have a good idea, but to hear somebody else’s thoughts might throw up something I haven’t thought of, and any advice appreciated.
So as not to dripfeed, I work in a busy outpatient dept as a receptionist. I’ve done it a while now and am left to work on my own sometimes, so I have developed a routine where at the end of the day the staff have what they need, and my work is complete.
Colleague A: Is a favourite in the dept, very loud and opinionated. She works mostly in the same department/room as me, but doesn’t do the same job. This doesnt stop her, however, from interfering in mine. I don’t work there every day (thankfully) so the dept is covered by other people on my day off.
When I return from my day off, Colleague A always has to remark that things are done differently by the other colleagues who cover my day off “Gail does it this way/ that way etc, just thought I’d mention it”. With a smirk on her face. I reply with “well, until somebody tells me I’m doing it wrong, then I’ll worry”, which sounds brave, but I’m dying inside.
Other things she does.
Always has to comment on my weight, or appearance.
She actually puts her hands on my hips from behind when passing, as though she’s gauging how slim (she thinks) I am.
Talks over me.
Interrupts conversations with me and other colleagues (though in fairness not just to me, does it to other colleagues also).
If we end up in the same room alone, she goes silent, then an atmosphere develops. I can feel her eyes boring into the back of my head. It’s awful.
Colleague B. Another favourite. Works in an office in the same dept, different job than me, higher wage band. Always has a family emergency so rushes off at a moments notice, mobile phone attached to her ear constantly, and always shouting/hot tempered.
Things she does: if I’m having a conversation with someone, she has to join in. She then pushes me out of that particular conversation, and carries it on with the other person. As if I wasn’t there.
Other things: If I had the choice of something, an example being two pairs of shoes, she’d always prefer the other pair than the ones I’ve chosen. I appreciate that it’s all down to personal opinion, but she always ALWAYS chooses the opposite. Plus anything I do. “Oh, I’d have done this, I’d have done that”.
Most of the time I roll my eyes at her, but lately, she is ramping up trouble. She has started asking me to help her do her job. I decline (very nicely) every time, due to the reasons mentioned above, and her being on a higher pay band and a different job, makes it a bit difficult.
When I decline, she then gets other staff involved, asking them to ask me to help her. Then it’s them against me, saying I’m not being helpful ☹️.
Again, it’s awful. I get my work done, I make sure everything is where it should be so they don’t have to ask for anything. That’s as helpful as I can be, plus any ideas that I’ve put across to help the dept in meetings, well, its just crap that I’m seen as being unhelpful.
Another thing: colleague A and B are friends.
I’m sorry for the long post. Any advice, and opinions on what you think is going on would be very appreciated xxxx