Hi all, try to keep it brief as it is a long story.
Been working in a mid-level position at a trauma informed service within the NHS for 5 years. Over the years, the team has doubled in size.
My issues started two months ago when I experienced a lot of frustrations due to lack of team support and things being in cohesive, one such issue was the lack of punctuality and reliability of staff, which often left me working alone to manage all tasks within the office for extended periods of time. On the last occasion that this happened, I came into work and my desk was a mess with left over food and crumbs left by someone who had been using my work area whilst I wasn’t on shift. When another colleague finally came in and asked how I was, and I was very upset and it led to a mini tirade of me expressing my frustrations.
A meeting was then held where I pointed out multiple things that I was unhappy about, which included workplace bullying of another colleague, unreliable and unpunctual staff, micro aggressions and people generally abusing the workplace. I admit I did get quite upset and was voicing my frustrations, and I may have come across as quite intense.
After this, the manger instilled a “no eating” policy in the office, making up the time if you’re late, etc. I was definitely burned out and frustrated, so I took time off sick.
When I returned, the atmosphere was quite quiet. There’s was a situation that came up with another colleague. The day in question, I was at a work training session all morning, then when I got to the office, we said good afternoon to each other and we talked about making cups of teas, and I talked about the work training session with the staff, and they asked me a particular question and I answered. She then asked the exact same question, so I just repeated myself. And I feel like she done this deliberately to draw me in to her in some sort of way?
The next day, she came into work and bursted out crying to everyone in the office saying that I ignored her the prior day, and that day was absolutely awful for her. Everyone gave her a group hug. I was so shocked, and it seemed so random. The manager pulled me in for a chat, and I explained everything and that she’s just playing a game.
Also, I was told that people had started using a new nickname for me in my absence, and the nickname is based on the idea that I came across as loud, intense, and over the top. Instead of the focus being on why the situation was unmanageable, the attention shifted onto me and my behaviour.
I was admittedly quite hurt about this, and questioned the woman about why she said it and didn’t defend me in my absence, but she justified the nickname again, and said it was due to my outburst in the meeting.
I feel like I shouldn’t have come back to work and I’ve just had enough. I’m nearing retirement and I don’t know if I should stick it out or find somewhere else to work. Any advice or suggestions? Thanks in advance x