Posted on 08/15/2005 by Walk the Planks
Viewed: 966 times
Why is it that we cannot work in today's workplace without someone, anyone or everyone throwing poison darts our way? I work in a four-person department. I am the youngest, at 35. The three other women in the department are 50 and over. Lately, I've been getting the feeling that they like picking on me, trying to make me quit and/or giving me a nervous condition -- with the way they cough when I go to type* and/or suddenly move or shuffle behind my back; my nerves are seriously on edge. Maybe, they think they have something to prove because they're older. It's hard to explain, and it's all work-related, the way they attack. It's suttle. It's mean. It's usually document-related, as in a visual document I'm faced with at the moment.
I know in the business world there is so much attacking going on and playing cutthroat with each other, among the coworkers. I've always wondered why. I also thought that you weren't supposed to attack in business, unless given a good reason. These people just carelessly throw poison darts anywhere and everywhere because they can and because they like being nasty. Maybe, they're so pitiful it's been the only way they've been able to keep their jobs.
Why do we have to play so mean and hateful, just to earn a weekly paycheck? I will never understand that. If it's supposed to make us stronger, I don't think so. It, quite honestly, makes me sick to my stomach. I left work today feeling like I was stepping off of a battlefield, all war-torn me.
* By the way, I think the one woman that sits behind me has one of those computer mirrors that lets her see behind her and watch me on my computer. If I make a typo, she clears her throat right at the time the typo is made. If there is a last name that has a nasty overtone to it -- like, Pigg -- she will cough and clear her throat, right when I'm at the point of typing it. If an unusual document is coming up -- she obviously spends time at home looking ahead at the documents I will be working with -- she makes sure she gets up and walks away and/or goes to the bathroom before I even view the document or as I am turning to it. This is so that if I have a question to ask -- and I'm skilled enough at this point that 99.9% of the time I do not have any questions anymore -- she's not present in the room. She's gotta seriously be sick in the head, you know. I do think she needs help. What is wrong with her? Is that supposed to make her feel superior or something? (And don't get me started on this one, because she does have a terrible superiority complex, when she's not superior to anyone else. That's all in her head.)
My other coworker throws personal information about me into her own conversations. This is stuff that I might have said over the telephone or in an Email at home, when she shouldn't even have a clue of what was said. She knows and she throws it back at me.
And, yes, I know about corporate abuse and all that good stuff. It still doesn't excuse it, and I will never agree with it.
These women I work with are stalking me, especially, the repeat personal information lady and the mirror madwoman. These are some seriously sick typists in our typing department. Look out, they will kill ya if ya get near their keyboards :o
POST A COMMENTthe confessor(08/16/2005)
This type of workplace mobbing is becoming illegal in a number of places. Document, go to bullyonline.org for TONS of advice on this, find out about laws regarding this in your area, apply for transfer, update resume. And let them know their behaviors are counterproductive and unacceptable. The company should get these creeps out before they cost them any more money or qualified workers!
the confessor(08/16/2005)
Re: reading documents backwards Most skilled typists (or office stalkers) are adept at reading backwards, upside-down, etc. It allows them to read documents on desks easily and see and interpret type through letters. When you see a mirror at a desk, beware! It means they're watching and deserve watching (it also enables them to see if anyone if observing their antisocial, antibusiness behaviors).
Spencer(08/16/2005)
I don't know... unless you have a huge monitor... I mean, I can't read the words on my own computer screen standing 5 feet away from it. Imagine if you were looking in one of those tiny mirrors (which are like funhouse mirrors) and trying to read something on a computer screen in it BACKWARDS with a person sitting in front of it! If a person can do that, I think someone should call Mr. Ripley!
the confessor(08/16/2005)
Agreed, Spencer. However, other forms of monitoring might be going on simultaneously. Plus being leaned on can make anyone nervous. I once worked in a place where you could have made a movie about some of these things. Finally, no one spoke to each other. I left. The company was purchased and everyone was swept out. End of story. Sad.
Walk the Planks(08/16/2005)
Thanks everyone for your comments and advice!!! And a special thanks to "Confessor," because I didn't even know that there was an official name for what I'm going through -- "Mobbing." I've read business books. I've just never run across this term before. Now I understand what it is I'm dealing with. Thanks!!!
BB(08/19/2005)
Two things, document everything everyday. This will reinforce your own sanity and proof for future action. The next is, kill them with kindness, fake it. Laugh at them. Do not give them the power, take it back and do your work and laugh at them because you are the better person. They have to be pretty unhappy in life to wage war on you. Let them waste there time because their work has to suffer in some way.
SouthernProgrammer (08/16/2005)
I had a very similar experience as you at another job which led me to adopt a new philosophy called "Put up with it or move on". I worked with a guy who made my life heck because he was nervous that I had a degree and he didn't. Like these women, he was very subtle in his 'abuse'. However, I actually owe him a thanks, had he not made me so uncomfortable that I left I would never had found a better job...which led to me getting a masters degree...which led to an even better job that I love. If these people make your life such heck, success is the best revenge.
Anonymous (08/16/2005)
> By the way, I think the one woman that sits behind me has one of those computer mirrors that lets her see behind her and watch me on my computer. If I make a typo, she clears her throat right at the time the typo is made. If there is a last name that has a nasty overtone to it > She must be good at reading if she can tell all that while reading it BACKWARDS in a mirror. Are you sure you aren't getting a bit paranoid? It may be true that these three have been there a while and suddenly this "30 something" girl has arrived and "messed up the club" but making noises while reading your work BACKWARDS?
(1)
Company memo that Belfort Instruments needs to write but never will(6)
Well, almost quit...but not quite there yet...updated(1)
Backstabber(2)
I took the bait and now I feel trapped!!(1)
drunk off my rocker(3)
why you schould not put writing calk on your bosses car.(4) Blog Comments:
Another Advertiser Who Does Not Want Us to Think(7)
Mr. Bad Habits(3)
The Fear Factor(4)
An Uncomfortable Truth?(13)
The Internet? I Can Stop Anytime I Want!(3)
The Business of Change Management and Corporate Propaganda: Part 1(5)
What You're Talkin' About: The Most Recent Comments
Story Comments:
I HATE my BOSS!!!
Marketplace
Discover® Platinum Clear Card
APR: See terms & conditions Annual Fee: $0
Double cash rebates at participating retailers and merchants (through the Cashback Bonus® award program); 0% introductory rate; no annual fee.
comments (8)
post to digg | 
post to del.icio.us | 
e-mail it
POST A COMMENT
