Would you say something about this volunteer team leader?

[Atethehalloweenchocs]

I volunteered at a local charity when I was working a compressed week and could do a half day shift on the weekday I did not work. In the CoL mess we are in, I have had to take on more work, so I am now working every weekday and dont have the energy to do shifts as well. I still try to be involved if I can (manning fundraising events, getting groups I am involved with to donate etc) but I cannot do regular shifts and was very honest with the manager about why. The manager is someone I knew previously in my professional capacity and she is lovely.

I had covid and a few other viral illnesses in a short space of time at the end of last year and am just phasing back to work in my main job. I hope to add in the extra job next month as I really need the money.

To be honest, although I love the manager, and the people who set it up were good friends with my mother, the experience of volunteering was really spoiled by one of the team leaders. She seemed to go out of her way to criticize me, and if she had any feedback about anything I had done, would shout it across the general office in front of everyone, instead of just telling me about it. And often the things she was criticizing were not things I had done. I had been thinking about whether I wanted to be around her anyway, and then my mortgage deal came up, leading to needing to increase my earnings.

Last week, just before I started back to work, I took my step dad to an eye appointment in town and popped into a shop while I was waiting for him. The team leader was there and made a comment to me along the lines of 'hows the working extra days going'. I was explaining to her that I had been off sick and was just getting to the point of being able to go out and about when it occurred to me that she was probably being sarcastic and having a dig.

So, do I tell the manager that part of the reason I left is that woman, because she seems to be someone who will be a bully? Or do I leave well enough alone because I dont know if she did it to anyone else? I would like to keep my association with this charity, but really dont want to be around her. And wish I had my wits about me enough to have challenged her, but I am still a little slow.

I'd say something. If she is why you are leaving, be honest. If they get enough reports about her, they will realise she's a problem.

Yes definitely say something. I volunteer, my current team leader is rubbish, and I know his attitude has been a factor in new volunteers not staying. If you don’t say anything the charity will suffer.

Thanks, was not sure if I was over reacting and I do want to continue to be associated with them but I do not want to be around this woman. I feel like I am the only one this is happening to, but I wonder if that is the case.

Please say something for the sake of others. You're almost certainly not the only one, but it can be really difficult to do anything because everyone just leaves quietly and says something about "not enough time" or similar.