The Trials of Dealing with Workplace Harassment and Bullying

Dealing with harassment and bullying in the workplace is anyone's worst nightmare. It can impact your mental and physical health, productivity, and even your career. In this article, I will share my personal experiences of dealing with harsh supervisors, manipulative coworkers, and the effects it had on my professional and personal life.

Experiencing Harassment from a Supervisor

My first job was at a bank where I faced a deplorable supervisor who was more interested in gossiping and starting drama than completing her duties. This supervisor, a woman in her late thirties, had gained her supervisory position through unsavory means: sleeping with the market president. Her leadership style was dictatorial, dumping her workload on her subordinates while she indulged in vanity activities like manicures and social media surfing. Her gossipy and dramatic behavior led to infighting and a toxic work environment.

One incident that stands out was when she wrote me up for an unprofessional behavior. She accused me of walking angrily and slouching. However, these actions were due to medical conditions I was born with- I am born partially paralyzed and have scoliosis. When my car broke down, she made derogatory jokes about my financial situation. The harassment did not stop when my aunt passed away; she refused to let me attend the funeral. Lastly, she attempted to get me fired when my husband was in the hospital. When all these incidents piled up, I quit my job before Thanksgiving and refused to turn over my bank keys to her, as she had demanded. She then called the police on me. This was a low point in my working life, and I vowed never to let anyone intimidate me in the workplace again.

Encountering Unethical Workplace Behavior

Another unpleasant experience I had was with a former coworker who had quit our place of employment and reapplied for unemployment benefits by lying. When she found out an investigation was underway, she reached out to me, asking for help in fabricating her story. I refused, and she threatened to sue me. I immediately cut off all contact with her, blocking her from all forms of communication.

Fighting Against Supervisor Manipulation

At a small town clinic, I had a supervision that turned on me. When the assistant management position came up, I asked for it, but was denied as she falsely claimed the position required a bachelors degree. However, she later promoted a less qualified colleague, a woman with no managerial experience or degree. This new supervisor was a control freak who bullied our former supervisor and me. I received nasty texts from this new supervisor, which caused me to quit on the spot. After I filed a complaint with HR about the unwarranted text attacks, a message criticizing my work performance trickled in. I decided to cut all ties with my former supervisor, blocking her on all social media accounts and severing all professional and personal contacts.

The Aftermath

These experiences have forever changed my approach to professional relationships. Today, I do not make friends at work. While I will be friendly and greet my colleagues, I do not engage in any work-related social activities outside the office. These bitterly acquired lessons have prepared me to handle any challenging situations that may arise in my career. I advise anyone experiencing similar situations to document the incidents, seek professional help, and never let bullies succeed in their intentions.

Key Takeaways

documentation: Keep a record of all incidents and interactions for evidence. professional help: Seek advice and support from HR or a legal professional. assertiveness: Stand up for yourself and communicate your boundaries clearly. self-care: Prioritize your mental and physical well-being during and after these experiences.

Everyone deserves a safe and respectful workplace. It is essential to speak out against harassment and bullying, protect your rights, and seek support whenever necessary.