No one is doing anything about our work bully! Help

[Pizzaalover]

We have a lady at work who I unfortunately have to work closely with, other staff not so much. So I get the worst of her. We’ve all made complaints previously and nothing has ever been done. I’ve made complaints but again it’s difficult because they want me to detail everything she’s done wrong and most of these issues, she would know it was me who reported her and I’ll be honest im scared and intimidated by her. She was moved from her last area because of similar complaints and now we are stuck with her.

She follows me around, undermines me, shouts at staff, checks up on my work, tells me im doing things wrong and I can’t help but feel like she wants my job... I feel like she’s suffocating me! Every time I turn around she’s there trying to involve herself in my work.

The issue is im slightly senior to her, so she really doesn’t need to try and manage me. She inserts herself into everyones job and the problem is they will have an argument with her once on a while however I have to put up with her behaviour 8 hours every day. She honestly walks around here like she owns the place. I won’t give too much away but she thinks she can interfere in issues that are way above her pay grade, it’s embarrassing but even senior members of staff indulge her behaviour because we are all scared of her. You can’t even make a cup of tea at work without her trying to argue with you. She’s a control freak. I literally cannot go to my manager again she is not interested. I need to stay in this role for 1 more year but until then how can I cope? She is smothering me I honestly feel like screaming some days.

Have you told her very clearly to back off and mind her own business? I know I would. Why are you so afraid of her? What is it you think she could do to you?

I would also write a very detailed email to your manager so that your concerns are documented.

Why is she allowed to behave like this. She is just an employee like everyone else. Does anyone record her shouting and arguing. The manager needs to manage her and the staff need to gather evidence. She sounds awful and a nasty insecure little schoolyard bully. Instead of arguing I would tey and bite my tonge, leave the room, when she follows you say now what do you want. Hasnt she got any of her own work to be getting on with. She only argues because people react.

I'm afraid I'd be using my seniority to it's maximum use and simply stating '' You appear to be under the illusion that I am interested in your input into MY role as ..............( whatever your job title is). I am NOT.
Please confine yourself to completing your own duties as........(her job title).
Be cold and concise, then simply either say ''you may go now'' or turn around and depart from the room.

If she says anything at all in response, either totally blank her ( which leaves her shouting like an idiot, which she will not like), or just say ''As I have already said, MY job is none of your concern, I suggest you get on with doing YOUR job''

Often, when challenged, these types either crumble or become incandescent with rage. If she crumbles, others may well follow your example. If she becomes enraged, she behaves in a manner which can be reported immediately to her line manager and HR, and everyone around will hear her shouting etc, which simply gives you witnesses to her unhinged behaviour.

Good luck with this horrible bully, don't let her ruin your workplace.

Do Exactly what @updownroundandround said.

There's somebody at my work like this, thinks they are way above their actual pay grade, hated by everybody but brown noses the managers.

They've tried to tell me what to do a couple of times and they've been put in their place. I've had at least two run ins with them and I don't hold back. You need to do the same

Guys thank you!!! I feel a tiny bit better after reading your replies. Im slowly asserting myself with her and I will continue to do this and hopefully in the end she will realise. The main issue is she doesn’t actually think she’s in the wrong even when everyone is telling her she is... she’s very stubborn, very loud, you can hear her voice everywhere I actually think people have got used to it. Which is such a shame. Thanks again x

Don’t slowly assert yourself, get on with it.

You have the upper hand being senior to her. Can you give any examples of how she interjects with your senior title?

I’d grey rock her, it will make her react and that’s when HR need to be informed .

Even if you feel intimidated pretends that you aren't. You are her senior and she should be doing her job not yours.
Firmly but clearly say I do not need or require your help to do my job.
Every time she needs to be told. Pull rank it's the only way.
What is she going to do? Bullies reign until someone puts a stop to it.

Im not massively senior to her but my role is to oversee that her work is done properly and it’s the other way around, she checks my work. We’ve both been there for 3 years. Il give an example, she did something yesterday and then had a massive go at me and told me off about something and then told me she’s only looking out for me. Previously she’s tried to blame a few things on me when she thought I couldn’t hear her, one time she did it in front of the manager so I corrected her. It was her who did it not me and she started getting teary, angry and walked off, she then didn’t speak to me for a week because I didn’t take the blame for something she did. The manager says oh she is lovely... I said of course she’s lovely to you, you are very high up, she would never do any of this if you were around. She’s clever, she behaves badly when your not around.

She knows im quiet and shy... I just feel like it’s too late to suddenly become confident and assertive. This has been going on for so long, I don’t want to fall out because then she will try to turn staff against me, my manager is no help.

So stand up or be a doormat? What have you got to lose?

Have a large roll of gaffer tape and scissors in full view and tell her - ''this is for you''.

Are you keeping a diary of these incidents? Might be an idea so you can refer to them.
I would speak to your boss again. If that’s no use, is there a mechanism in your workplace to take a complaint higher?

@Pizzaalover
Have you lodged an official grievance? That's what's needed.

@SoloMummy
I second this.

I work with a bully but she is a narcissist and unfortunately is very smart ,smarter than me. She likewise has charmed those she needs to charm. She is good at her job but incredibly dangerous in that she knowshow to protect herself. We have had several managers over several years because of the trouble she has caused and nothing has been done about her. Whatever you do, protect yourself. Take notes, dated and documented of her behaviour be specific in your recording as. It also helps you realise the games they play. I have a 20 to 30 minute commute in my car I record daily my interactions and the games she plays. Whatever she has on management they wont take her on, she talks a good game and talks about lawyers and plays the game of overwork, even though she isnt, to make it look like she is put upon and she works overtime due to her commitment to her job, calls everyone else a bully but that is what she is.