(no subject)

[openscarf]

I work with an asshole. It's gone on for too long. He's not a supervisor or even a lead but he gets away with creating a hostile atmosphere because no one takes it up with the real boss. Except me. My friend is the other one he abused verbally and by facial expressions and all actions. We're both small with dark hair and older than him, not impressed by him, not scared of him.  Everyone in my area was aware he was treating me like crap-the other temps im'ed each other about it. But it was accepted. I asked myself, why am I here again? I've done nothing to this guy, am I up against my karma and once I solve this situation I'm done?

After a few weeks, 2 in my group urged me to talk to the real boss, which I did. My attitude was light but serious, like what is this guy's problem, it's not acceptable. Boss agreed, said he'd try to be out in our area more, there would be no repercussions, he seemed surprised it had gone on from day 1. He said he would talk to the asshole and check back with me in a couple weeks.

The situation got a little better and when asshole started up, I just kept giving it right back to him. But I don't want to have to do this. I don't want to have to defend and fight. It triggers me up and I get very agitated when it's done and sometimes emotional. Sometimes I can be funny about it. Not today; it happened again, he was completely out of line and one of my friends im'ed me and said, basically time to tell the boss again.

This is the kind of stress that runs through my body  is the kind that can make a person very sick, all that fight/flight adrenaline pumping and then leaving, it's exhausting, draining and unnecessary. I don't want this in my life. I guess I'm still naive, I don't get why  this guy gets away with it.

So, I realize going to the boss again with this kind of crap is dicey. Boss doesn't want to hear this shit. And this time I'm going to use the words "hostile environment' and 'harassment.' We're at quarter-end close so he's extremely busy. I emailed him and he said this or next week, which is exactly what I suggested in my email. I'm scrawling notes for everything that happens from today on. Plus there are witnesses.

I'm "just' a temp there. I have the highest numbers, great accuracy, experience etc, fun attitude, get along with everyone. So, I'm literally at the point where I'm asking myself, do I quit and try for another job with the agency?  (I tried to talk to my recruiter, she's very young and didn't get it at all, they have a million people they can put in the job) Is the boss going to let me go? Is the situation going to change? I can't afford to not work. I don't expect answers to these questions, they are just what I'm pondering. If I find myself not working there, I will contact their HR department asap  and tell them everything that has happened.

We are going to ask for a meeting and find out from our real boss what exactly we should be doing instead of this asshole guy changing things up everyday, trying to grab power, have some authority, but he's not our boss. Oh and he's having a thing with a woman there and everyone knows about it.

Blerg. I really hope your days were much better.

Comments

[yummydeb.livejournal.com]

What a terrible situation to be in, so stressful! Does he get away with it because he picks on "just" temps? That's ridiculous :-(. He shouldn't get away with it, with ANYONE.

Having to fight one's corner every moment is horrible. I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this.

*Hugs*

[openscarf.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'll take the hug with me! He gets away with it because the permanent people who hear it, don't care or just don't speak up and the controller who's the boss, sits in an office, not our open area, although close by, he can't hear. He gets away with it because he feels he has a right to talk to certain women this way. He only does it to temps and only to me. When he occasionally does it to my friend who he used to do it to all the time, she gives it back to him.So it's just me. As he said to me yesterday when I said loudly, I don't appreciate you speaking to me like I'm an idiot, --he said, I don't care.

He's one of those guys who is threatened by a certain type of woman, he's definitely sexist, he's wrong a lot, just a scared corporate flunky in over his head in his whole life.

So as a temp, how much are they going to tolerate me fighting back? Today I'm going to try to laugh in his face, but the reality is I'd like to stab him with a letter opener. LOL

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Grrrrrr...

You may be able to find useful tips at the Workplace Bullying Institute (http://www.workplacebullying.org/).

[openscarf.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this link, I had no idea it existed! I can't wait to check it out tonight. How are you???

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I am enjoying much relaxing this long weekend. :-) Doing great and posting regularly to my photo blog. My latest series of photos was from the NYC Pride March. I had a media pass and had a blast!

I think today I'll go through my photo library and start narrowing down possible entries for the NY State Fair's photography competition. The deadline is next Monday, and I am determined to enter, this year.

[openscarf.livejournal.com]

This website is the bomb, it is so right on! I know you went through the same thing. I love how they recognize that HR is the enemy, that cracked me up.

I think basically I'm taking the right actions, all though I did wait too long to get started. I do fully expect to be let go, all though I haven't yet. Being a temp makes that part less catastrophic.

Thank you again and happy 4th!!

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

You are VERY welcome. I'm glad the site is providing much needed validation. Victims of workplace bullying need as much validation as they can get!

[dadadadio.livejournal.com]

I read this yesterday and had this 'you're mad as hell and you're not going to take it anymore' reply, but didn't have time to comment. My mood is different today, on holiday.

I believe the only way to deal with a bully is to confront them, challenge their assholiness, never let them get away with mistreating people. But that's often easier said than done.

I've taken to embarrassing them in front of coworkers with quick comebacks and put downs when they act up. It ain't pretty sister, but it's affective.

What's he going to do, punch you in the nose?

You'd be surprised how sarcastic wit can cut a bully down. They don't like being laughed at. He will leave you in peace after you assert yourself as his equal in torment.

I have learned that middle management is weak and it's fruitless to use conventional means in combating a workplace jackass.

Sometimes you must go verbally postal.

JMO

[openscarf.livejournal.com]

I agree completely. I was sarcastic as hell this last time, plus as he walked away I called him back. It is a way to fight back, but it drains me completely. I think the controller told him quickly to stop doing whatever he's doing, one of my friends him say "grievance."

He has stayed away from me completely the last 2 days, except for maybe 30 seconds of him having to give me something or me to ask him something.

That's great. Then he goes to everyone's else's desk and acts very professional and nice. It's very obvious.

I think the sarcasm/fighting back plus reporting the behavior to his boss so he's written up or at least known about is the way to go. He's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Being a temp lets me be a bit more detached which is nice. And we're in holiday mode now, whoo hoo!!

[misterwint.livejournal.com]

the guy needs bringing down. He's a bully. Whether you're a temp or not doesn't matter. you're human, a person and deserve respect.

[openscarf.livejournal.com]

Thank you. You're right, but as warned in the website, they chose him over me and terminated my contract.