toxic work environment

Work Update 5: Told Ya

~ MaryG ~ 3 Comments

Yesterday, two of my former colleagues simultaneously contacted me (one by phone and one by text) to let me know that my former supervisor Danielle’s other direct report (a.k.a. “Kathy,” for those who were following along) has given her notice and is leaving Friday. She stayed less than 18 months in all.

I wonder if they’ll finally realize that Danielle is the problem and fire her toxic ass?

Related post: Work Update 4

It’s great to be done with Danielle

~ MaryG ~ 2 Comments
Daily writing prompt
Is your life today what you pictured a year ago?
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A year ago, I would not have anticipated being unemployed (or very possibly, I’ll just say it: retired) by December 2023, although I had been thinking about it.

I had worked in a job I really loved for nearly 20 years, but it was definitely getting repetitive. ALL my requests had been honored (full-time status; remote status, etc.) except ONE. And the one was that I really didn’t want to report to my toxic supervisor Suzanne Danielle (her real name) any longer. But I thought I’d put up with Danielle until I turned 60 (at least). The salary was quite good and the benefits were great.

Well, a “last straw” event led to my resigning and leaving just after Thanksgiving. As of today, I think I made the correct decision. I’m so happy to never have to deal with Danielle again – ever. We’ll see how I feel about being unemployed/retired once the excitement of the holidays has passed.

In the meantime, my son came home from college yeserday (yay) and I made an attempt at one of NYT Cooking’s top 50 recipes of the year. They call it “Marry Me Chicken.” Supposedly, if you’re single and you make this for someone, they’ll put a ring on it fast. Here‘s the recipe. Here’s how mine came out:

I have no notes. I followed the recipe as written and it’s a winner.

Work Update 3

~ MaryG ~ 9 Comments

I resigned today. My last day is in two weeks.

Nobody disagreed with me that Suzanne should be fired, but she could not be fired immediately. There’s a process, starting with “corrective actions” and yada yada yada. Only extremely “egregious” acts can result in immediate firing. Apparently, scolding a colleague like a child for interrupting, while being berated for doing something they were told to do, isn’t egregious enough.

I had already made a decision to leave, if Suzanne were not fired, so that was that. I feel good about it. I’m too old to put up with toxic bullshit like that.

Now I’ve got two weeks to wrap-up and say goodbye to 18 years worth of relationships and memories. As my wise friend Gail said, “I know you have mostly enjoyed your job and coworkers. Hold onto that because that was just as real.❤️”

Work Update

~ MaryG ~ 2 Comments

I called Suzanne’s boss (Laura) to let her know that I had made a decision. Being scolded like a child in front of a colleague for doing something she told me to do was the very last straw for me. (This is gaslighting by the way.) I’d rather leave the job I love than continue working for her.

Laura kept saying that there were no solutions because of the organization chart, like moving me to a different area was the only place her mind was going. She finally asked what I wanted done. I said that Suzanne has created a textbook toxic work environment for me and Kathy and should be fired.

That really took her aback. She was not expecting that. Her whole demeanor changed. She asked a few more specific details and told me it was OK to cancel out of all meetings with Suzanne this week. So now Laura will go to HR and they’ll investigate. I forwarded Laura a few emails in support of my case.

I’ve never done anything like this before. Never filed, or been part of, any type of HR investigation. It’s pretty stressful. The ringing in my right ear is back and very loudly. And I don’t feel hungry and can’t concentrate on my beloved TV shows.

Now it’s just wait and see. Will they or won’t they?