long convoluted post about work troubles
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 11:58 pm
so, a couple of years ago, I started having real problems with my supervisor. Very controlling person, and doesn't tolerate anyone having an opinion or idea of their own.
This does not sit too well with me, and I would express my views, even if different. So, the bullying began, with my having to hand my work in everyday to be checked (hmm, after 10 years of doing this work, NOW it has to be checked???), then physician appointments were questioned. At the same time (although I didn't learn about this until later) she actually called up my medical records on our system (I work for the government in health, so we do have access for our jobs) and looked at what appointments I had, the treatments, and diagnoses etc. Totally illegal and against all privacy and information guidelines.
However, I did not know this at the time. Other things that have happened include my returning from holidays to discover I no longer had a small office, but had been moved into the major block of cubbies, right beside her so she could "help me with my workload". Well, whatever, a paycheck is a paycheck, and I was in no position to give it up.
Then, she decided I had been sufficiently chastised, so she moved on to another victim. This girl is very emotional, and was brought to tears more than once. This finally galvanized the rest of my team, and we confronted her.
A department meeting with the manager was called, however he was about as effective as a tissue against an arterial gash, and as is the case with most serial bullies, she managed to turn the gist of the meeting into complaints about our work, rather than her bullying.
Two weeks after that meeting, she attempted to submit altered job descriptions, that would have had the effect of our positions being downgraded. This did not get approved.
Last November, I finally learned about what she had done with my medical records, from some of my team members who were there when she did it, and so I filed a complaint.
Nothing much happened until March, when I was asked to meet with our senior officer to discuss what happened. He said that there would be consequences. Then she was called in later. To this day, however, I have no idea of what the consequences were. She was off work for a couple of days, under sick leave, so it could have been suspended without pay, or else a letter or reprimand on her file. DOn't know.
Then we had our performance appraisals. Surprisingly, mine was okay, but then again, I don't think she would dare push me any further, as I could probably still pursue civil action.
Then, this summer, our senior officer arranged for a consulting firm to interview the entire team in private, to find out why the problems were still disrupting the office. We didn't hear back from that one either. All six of us were able to freely state the problems and concerns we have, especially the untoward relationship the supervisor seems to have with one of our collection contractors. We didn't hear anything back again for a long time, but now we have been advised that there is a full department meeting, the six of us team members, the supervisor, the manager and director, and the senior office, and the head of human resources.
I would imagine that some of us will be relocated to other positions. Damn shame that the six of us workers get along, function well when she is not there, and have years and years of experience, but I can't see them moving just her, as that would be just relocating the problem, not solving it.
So, if you would send me a few good thoughts on Thurs afternoon, I sure could use them.
(told you it was long and convoluted)
This does not sit too well with me, and I would express my views, even if different. So, the bullying began, with my having to hand my work in everyday to be checked (hmm, after 10 years of doing this work, NOW it has to be checked???), then physician appointments were questioned. At the same time (although I didn't learn about this until later) she actually called up my medical records on our system (I work for the government in health, so we do have access for our jobs) and looked at what appointments I had, the treatments, and diagnoses etc. Totally illegal and against all privacy and information guidelines.
However, I did not know this at the time. Other things that have happened include my returning from holidays to discover I no longer had a small office, but had been moved into the major block of cubbies, right beside her so she could "help me with my workload". Well, whatever, a paycheck is a paycheck, and I was in no position to give it up.
Then, she decided I had been sufficiently chastised, so she moved on to another victim. This girl is very emotional, and was brought to tears more than once. This finally galvanized the rest of my team, and we confronted her.
A department meeting with the manager was called, however he was about as effective as a tissue against an arterial gash, and as is the case with most serial bullies, she managed to turn the gist of the meeting into complaints about our work, rather than her bullying.
Two weeks after that meeting, she attempted to submit altered job descriptions, that would have had the effect of our positions being downgraded. This did not get approved.
Last November, I finally learned about what she had done with my medical records, from some of my team members who were there when she did it, and so I filed a complaint.
Nothing much happened until March, when I was asked to meet with our senior officer to discuss what happened. He said that there would be consequences. Then she was called in later. To this day, however, I have no idea of what the consequences were. She was off work for a couple of days, under sick leave, so it could have been suspended without pay, or else a letter or reprimand on her file. DOn't know.
Then we had our performance appraisals. Surprisingly, mine was okay, but then again, I don't think she would dare push me any further, as I could probably still pursue civil action.
Then, this summer, our senior officer arranged for a consulting firm to interview the entire team in private, to find out why the problems were still disrupting the office. We didn't hear back from that one either. All six of us were able to freely state the problems and concerns we have, especially the untoward relationship the supervisor seems to have with one of our collection contractors. We didn't hear anything back again for a long time, but now we have been advised that there is a full department meeting, the six of us team members, the supervisor, the manager and director, and the senior office, and the head of human resources.
I would imagine that some of us will be relocated to other positions. Damn shame that the six of us workers get along, function well when she is not there, and have years and years of experience, but I can't see them moving just her, as that would be just relocating the problem, not solving it.
So, if you would send me a few good thoughts on Thurs afternoon, I sure could use them.
(told you it was long and convoluted)
