Being undermined by colleague - it is bullying?

[saffy7]

So, a quick background...

I started at a company in 2018, and my new colleague, who I'll call X had been there a year already. The role that had been advertised and I had been employed for was taken over by X before I started and so instead I was to replace their role. Shortly after starting the company realised that I was being underutilised and gave me extra responsibilities which upset X, as they wanted me to be their junior and now I was on the same level.

Then, another, higher position became available, which I applied for as had the qualifications and knowledge to undertake that role, but X was unhappy, and I think, dissuaded them from promoting me. A year after, that person (let's call them Z) left the position (I trained them and advised them, despite them being my manager), and so I applied again and was promoted.

Now this has put X's nose out of joint as they keep emailing questions and requests to Y who is now working in a freelance position, but doesn't have the authority, or knowledge to answer the questions. When I asked X why, they said that Y was more qualified than me, even though we are qualified to the same level.

This has been going on for over a year, I've spoken to my manager, but nothing improves.
I've already put in grievances about X as they constantly speak over me in meetings, and their general attitude towards me is awful. Other colleagues have said that they wouldn't stand for it, but what can I do?

Can I assume you aren't their manager? If not, and you've submitted grievances that were not supported by the employer, then what colleagues say is irrelevant. You stand for it or find another job. There's nothing else you can do. If your employer won't back you up, you can't do anything about it.

No I'm not their manager, and unfortunately, other colleagues have now left (due to the behaviour of this one person!) I don't know if they raised grievances, or said they were leaving due to X, but they have been allowed to continue.

It's so frustrating that I'm being forced out of a job that otherwise I love.

Unfortunately, it's irrelevant. There is no law in the land that says the employer has to side with you or others. The employer has chosen to side with this person. One way or another you don't have much choice. This is in the purview of the employer, and based on what you've said, the employer backs the other person.

It would help to know the outcome of the grievance.

Is Y still working for the company on a freelance basis? If not, then I would be raising a concern about the risk of X sharing confidential information with Y and/or risk of taking action based on Ys advice. Make it entirely business focused and about risk. It’s hard to advise without knowing a lot more detail.

Unfortunately the grievance was not in my favour, despite having tonnes of evidence in the form of emails and voicemails (as well as witnesses!). Goodness knows why, this person has made so many errors causing significant delays to projects, as well as undermining me, to the point that it seems like sabotage. I think that management are scared of them - as they always come back with a reason why X has acted inappropriately, or delay with dealing with an issue until a project is completed, but then it's all forgotten about.
Obviously, can't go into too much detail here, but I think I'm going to have to find a new job...

@saffy7 I’m sorry but the reality is you need to get a new job.

I’ve worked with an x as well. Her behaviour beggared belief. I kept a dated and detailed list of purely factual incidences. That, along with the email trails they left, made and enormous difference. Kill them with love, kindness and smiles all sincerely delivered.