Struggling to get on with senior work colleague

[Blondemummy122]

Hi all after some advice,

As the title reads I have been with my currently employer 10 months and through that time I’ve struggled with a senior colleague and have made it known to other employees and my manager, it’s now gotten to the point where it’s affecting me daily and I know that the this person has been there longer and is more senior and they have made that clear along with them not planning on going anywhere, so I’m now debating whether to leave my job before I have another one lined up as I just don’t know how much more I can take, has anyone else been in the same position or have some words of wisdom? Thank you in advance?

What’s the issue with the colleague? That’s quite crucial to any advice I think.

She is mainly unkind with her words to me for instance I booked time off to visit my partners sick relative and she was unhappy as she was planning to have some time off for a party and when I couldn’t give her any advice on that she ignored me and my emails for days, I have also since found out she has spoke badly about me to others, I would add that others have also said how unkind she is and that they wouldn’t be able to work with her which I think makes all this worse.

What do you mean you 'couldn't give her any advice' on her booking leave for a party? Is approving leave in your job description?

If her ignoring your emails means you are unable to do your job, take it to your line manager, surely?

I think she was asking me to cancel my leave so she could go to her party but because I had booked the leave first she was unable to take that day

But respectfully, this happens all the time in workplaces, people who can't be off at the same time wanting to take AL. It's a pretty normal source of friction. She's pissed off, sure not your issue but if her ignoring your emails impacts on your ability to do your job, that's a line manager issue.

If you leave a job every time there's a clash of holiday dates, you'll be job hopping a lot!

I think she’s probably thinking you’ll cave to her but said this sort of thing happens in a lot of work places.
If it’s really getting to you then speak to management/ hr and start looking for other jobs.

Do you sit next to her? If so I think you're well within your rights to ask to move desks. It's horrible when there are colleagues like that. The only other thing is to stick up to her - maybe ask to have a coffee or meeting - you can ask HR or your manager to come along if you want. The other alternative is to speak to her like she speaks to you - this sometimes work and they do back down. Also if she is ignoring your emails and making it difficult for you to work then copy in either your or her manager - they soon respond quickly enough if you add them in. In the meantime I'd start to look for another role too.