So, finally, 2 co-workers got put in their places and are leaving me alone, after years of hazing me

[lindysalsagal]

I won't go into specifics, but basically, there are these two who are more or less my equals who just had it out for me. I have never gone after them or cost them anything: No arguments from me: Our work is largely separate. But for reasons I can't fathom, they both had fixated on me and are incredibly resentful of my work and were looking to stop me and foment drama and side-taking among other workers.

I won't say anymore than that online.

But one of them really stepped over the line and was actually emailing me and literally following me around our building trying to corner me and force me to undergo their "re-education" plan of some unknown and un-sanctioned detail. I want no part of it because they lack any and all authority over me and so I have no idea when or where their "advice" would ever lead or end, and I don't want to even entertain their insistance that somehow they are allowed to act in any supervisory way over me. They don't understand my work and refuse to listen when I explain things they don't understand. They're totally deaf to any information that doesn't fit their hatred of me.

I've told them as much before, but they won't back down. It's like a personal obscession because my work doesn't effect them. If they never spoke to me again it wouldn't impact their work one iota. They just love talking about me behind my back and playing supervisor to me. I have no idea how they arrived at this paradigm, because it's not at all sanctioned by our real employers.

So, anyway, I was able to report this week's drama/nonsense up the chain of our professional association, (not the employers) and finally show our association that these two use the work system for this kind of hazing on me. I don't know if they do it to others, or not.

Well, it all finally stopped. Because they said some really quotable threats to me this time, the association pulled them over and let them know they were out of line. I was great: I didn't do or say anything that wasn't above board: So my hands are clean. I have no need to reciprocate on this crap: Their work doesn't impact or interest me in the least, so, as far as I'm concerned, they can just do their thing and I won't even know or care.

What a relief! Its finaly over, and they won't even look at me now, which is fine with me.

I guess I've learned to hold my cards and play the right one the right way at the right moment to have lasting results.

[Squinch]

1. I am very happy for you! This is the third story this week I have heard about

hidden misconduct toward co-workers suddenly becoming known by higher-ups, and the abused person not having had to soil their hands in any way. Must be something in the stars.

But good on you, and congratulations. It sounds like a very weird situation.

[lindysalsagal]

2. Three this week? Wow!

I think the potus is shaking crap out of people's trees that may have been lying dormant.

[Squinch]

4. That might be it. My niece had a situation that was eating at her, and the offending

party made a fool of herself at a conference in front of their mutual boss, and a co-worker at one of my work sites was revealed to have been harassing others there.

I think you are right and some of it has to do with the idiot republican president. He has emboldened people to act the way they always wanted to act, and that reveals them to all around them to be the horrible people they are.

[raccoon]

40. Can't blame this on Trump. Much as I dislike him, there have been work bullies around for decades.

I've run into them myself.

There's a lot on the Internet about them, if anyone is having this problem.

[magicarpet]

49. Authoritarian with a Fascist bent....

... sounds very similar to some Nazi stunt Trump would contrive to me.

[Oppaloopa]

5. Yea no doubt they are going after Union again in a big way.

[lindysalsagal]

9. The attack on unions has largely succeeded, so, it will never end.

OUr unions have receeded to almost extinction, already.

[Oppaloopa]

31. That may be true but to get their agenda on cuts to medicare and medicaid thru I feel

they will have to kill off unions entirely .

[magicarpet]

50. Your Right to work laws.... your Right to work....

We don't need no damn unions and those God damn union fees.

We like our wages stuck at $6/hr - no health care - no dental - no pension - we like getting screwed just fine.

[Oppaloopa]

3. Sorry enjoy your reprieve. But I think this is a short rest That will start up again

This is making a real hostile working environment. I feel so sorry for you. This would have made me physically sick. Please consider going to upper management or H.R. I tried to start a Union in Florida once. It really shows what one is made of. They hired fake employees from a anti Union company. Even followed me in the bathrooms. The fake employee attended all Union meetings.

[lindysalsagal]

6. I have to follow certain protocals that I won't go into online, but I know this is over for good.

Because the busy-body stands to lose everything that he/she loves and desires if it continues. This is the first time I've sent this problem up the chain, and the busy-body will lose any and all power to do this again if it happens again.

I lose nothing.

[Oppaloopa]

25. Good

[Sherman A1]

8. Precisely

My only added advice is to document everything. Any interaction that occurs and/or any things that are heard. Save and print emails or other electronic communications and store all records offsite. This isn’t over and do not except HR to be your friend, they are there to protect the company’s interest, not the employee.

[lindysalsagal]

10. I know, for an absolute fact, that the company doesn't care about their machinations, either way.

The company likes how I handle things, and has no use for their b.s. So, they would be wasting their time to go to management, and making themselves look infantile in the process. I'm not exposed here in any way: It's all in their imaginations.

[Sherman A1]

12. That's great, but don't be

Complacent, the Drama Queen type, will look for work arounds, new allies and other means to feed their need to control the lives of others. This truly isn’t over.

[samplegirl]

19. That's exactly why I never took my

Problem to HR! We had no union either.

[Oppaloopa]

26. Thank you I know all that this has been over years ago. Many union supporters were fired.

Many complaints filed with the labor board. They fired just about everyone but me. It was still hell to go thru. They even started rumors I would be met with physical violence. Ya gotta love Florida. Labor board no help.

[calimary]

43. I thought that, too. First thing.

I hope lindysalsagal’s experience really IS shut down. SHEESH it’s miserable having to work with (and around) a saboteur. But two? Yoiks!!!

[Sophia4]

45. I agree. This is the time to be very cautious.

The co-workers who have been reprimanded will be looking for a way to get back at you. Watch your back. If you can apply for a job somewhere else, a job that is about the same kind of work you are now doing, you might consider it or at least try to have some escape plan in your back pocket. Also, you might want to improve your skills, make yourself more employable during this period of some peace.

[lindysalsagal]

7. Bottom line: stupid people don't realize that most people are smarter than them.

Sucks to be stupid.

[thesquanderer]

32. AKA the Dunning-Kruger effect (n/t)

[lindysalsagal]

35. Alive, well, and immortal. Screwing with the world.

[barbtries]

11. they sound like middle school bullies.

how can grown ups be so immature and disgusting.
i'm glad it's resolved for you.

[Sherman A1]

13. I have found most work places

Are simply an extension of high school drama.

[Mopar151]

48. I call it the "Bully Sex Change"

Somewhere around puberty, for several reasons, it gets pretty tough for traditional boy bullies. The cunning ones often convert to the girl bullies tactics. Ever notice how "sort of former" bullies are whiny little b****s about everything?

[wallyworld2]

14. This may sound stupid

I have been threatened by two workers and decided that before entering work, I would put my cell phone camera on video record mode. Put it in my shirt pocket with the screen facing towards me and the lens facing forward. Sometimes I had to put something in the bottom of my pocket to get the lens to get it to clear the top of the pocket.

But it works well for a limited time.

There is no use trying to figure out what makes a jerk tic.

But one thing I like and totally agree with, is, a co-worker is just that, a co-worker.

Busy body, wanna be boss, that's all they are.

So good for you, not jumping to their tune.

[lindysalsagal]

36. I had my phone out all week just in case.

[DownriverDem]

15. Question

Maybe you don't want to say, but I'm curious, are your co-workers male or female?

[maddiemom]

16. I just ASSUMED they were women.

I'd like to be wrong, but sad to say, it doesn't seem like a male kind of harassment.

[Oppaloopa]

28. I assumed they were men. lol

[Squinch]

52. Seriously?

[maddiemom]

53. Seriously.

Especially since I was a longtime teacher. It definitely seems a "Mean Girl" thing (you've seen the movie and other such high school era flicks?) lindysalsagal seems to be a women, and men don't OFTEN bully women in that way (and as a pair). Boys and men can be real beasts, but they rarely torment in this particular way. Usually there is an individual bully, or a gang of boys following a bully.

[Squinch]

54. Kay.

[samplegirl]

17. I went through this at my

last job. It was horrific just to go to work. People in higher up positions using their weight to bully. So much hatred even in the workplace these days. Sometimes I think the whole world has just gone mad. There is just so much lack of kindness anwhere anymore...in traffic, at work, or social gatherings. It’s like people purposely have the need to bully someone. Hope your workplace is finally peaceful.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

46. It's now a world of tit-for-tat consumerism and ego.....

rather than emotional unity, cooperation and love.

[extvbroadcaster]

18. As I end my working life

I am getting close to retirement. I have seen it all in workplaces. Bullying, sexual harassment, incompetent supervisors, jackass co-workers, bad management - you name it. If I had any advice to young people is don't put up with BS in a job if you have the resources to leave. That means always having FU money in the bank. One job I had was horrible. My supervisor was a coke head, and would come in yelling at everyone, especially me, at 8:30 in the morning. He had been up all night doing blow. Management put up with him because he brought in clients. I tried to report him. The office of his supervisor had these big glass windows, and while I was being told the "I was the problem, not him" I looked out to the parking lot at my new car. I was in debt, had little in the bank, and was screwed. I went back to work and spent the next year saving money and cultivating free lance work. Finally I had FU money and free lance gigs. One morning the coke head yelled at me and I told him off and quit. It felt great! My only regret was not being able to do it sooner. Another piece of advice is if you find a job were they treat you good, money is not everything. A decent workplace is more important than money.

[Freddie]

21. this

I once got headhunted and left a pretty good job for a LOT more $$. They seemed like great people who would value my expertise in the field. Got there and they were martinets - I had to follow a script and could not even use the knowledge I had or make any independent decisions, plus the people were assholes in general. I lasted 10 months and left for a job paying $10000/yr less; 9 years later I'm now making what I did at the horrible place but the job and people are great. It's not always $ and the grass is not always greener.
My best friend was a union steward. Upper management harassed her constantly and nitpicked for the teeniest "violation". She finally said the hell with it and got another job that paid the same without the hassles. She only wanted to make things better for her fellow employees and got the shaft (what else is new).

[Major Nikon]

29. Always keep your resume in the top drawer

I always say I was looking for a job when I found this one. Another thing that is as good as money in the bank is having skills that insure you won't be out of work long.

[TEB]

20. Very happy for you

[oasis]

22. Glad to hear you are relieved of those idiots. nt

[roscoeroscoe]

23. Awesome

Wonderful story, thanks for sharing!

[H2O Man]

24. Very good!

Recommended.

[Major Nikon]

27. Everyone wants to be the boss until they become the boss

What you will find is that people like this will target certain people while leaving others alone. The difference is the people they leave alone will not put up with it. When faced with such people I make sure they know I am in category B. Eventually they simply move on to another victim.

[Siwsan]

30. I went through 6+ years of harassment by a co-worker and nobody would intercede

She was so vicious and crazy that even HR was afraid of her. And, the one time they did fire her (before she moved to my department) someone really f'ed up and she was able to sue and come back. Apparently she was able to keep up an environment of 'ongoing litigation' and seemed untouchable to our inadequate HR department. She was expert in exploiting our union contract. Even my rep was wringing her hands that the company would't get shed of her.

I finally ended up taking an early retirement, just to get away from the situation. The company asked me what it would take to convince me to stay, and I told them they'd have to fire this individual. The HR Director just looked at me and shook his head in frustration.

Six months later, the department was in such a mess they asked me to come back and temp for 3 months, to help them get caught up. My stipulation was that this individual be kept far away from me, and that if she so much as looked in my direction, I would walk out. She was warned, and didn't take the news or admonition with grace.

About a week into my stint, I came in to find that someone had stolen a whole bunch of my notes, supplies and even my 'Mini-Moo' half and half. And, guess who was seen hanging around my desk, after I had left for the day.

Again, nothing was done. So I told them that I had committed to 3 months, but not to even dream about asking me to extend.

[NBachers]

33. I'm glad you have rid yourself of this at-work nightmare. Your life is about to take a huge upgrade.

[bitterross]

34. I had a person do that to me when I was only a contractor - she got fired.

She didn't get fired over what she did to me and it took a while. But cumulatively, her behavior finally did her in.

I totally understand where you are and why you might not have been able to seek other employment easily to get away from it.

It might be a bit uncomfortable for you for a while. Hang in there. You shall rise above!

[lindysalsagal]

37. Wow, did I open a vein with this post!

On balance, I guess I've been pretty lucky, overall.

[rock]

38. Good for you!

I despise bullying, abuse and harassment of all ilk.

[safeinOhio]

39. This has worked for me for many years.

When someone is very rude to me or treats me bad, I do this and it has always worked.

Do the opposite of what you normally do and the way you would react. Be supper nice, almost but not quite sarcastic. Be sure to speak to them EVERY time you see them. I love your dress or shirt. I value your opinion so what do you think of this. Good morning. I'll miss you when you go on vacation. So nice to see you.I wish I could be more like you.I really think you are the best worker here. You do the best work here..and on and on. This has always worked for me. They usually try there best to avoid me, even ducking into the rest room in the hall way when they see me coming.
Very hard to go against your normal instinct and do this, but well worth it.

[lindysalsagal]

41. I get it, but, in this case, that would be exactly what they want: I'd be pursuing them. As it stand

stands, I don't pursue them and it has to remain that way. I can't approach them at all.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

42. Just please be careful, ok ?

Back in the day, one of the additional hats I wore was EEOC counselor. I researched and mediated a lot of cases of hostile working environment and it sounds to me like that was exactly what was confronting you. Mediation can be useful as it brings out what passes for logic (or not) and releases some steam. Plus, if the situation recurs, there is now background and precedent for the behavior. Mediation can lead to restrictions on future behavior, so people know that if they trip up again, more eyes will be watching and the sanctions will be more restrictive and punitive.

You would think that people would re-assess their behavior and steer clear after something like that. Not always, which is why I worry about you. Some people just will not take "No/Stop/Cease and desist" for an answer. Some will look for more devious and under-handed ways to get back at you, and enlist others to do their dirty work.

Just keep your eyes and ears open and your phone handy. Nothing tops video/audio. Stay safe.

P/S - still loving the cat meme.

[Dan]

44. Not only just delayed

until things die down....

[KY_EnviroGuy]

47. Sounds like and old-fashioned gossip circle.

Some people seem to thrive on controversy. I've known some drama queens in my days, and they typically rile up everyone they're in contact with every time. Assemble two or three of them together and it's one hell of a mess.

It's surely a form of mental illness and/or lack of good upbringing.

......

[rusty quoin]

51. When you belonged to a strong union in the big companies, you had a place for your grievances.

Things have changed since Reagan, and so, not so much anymore.

[Leith]

55. I've Been in That Situation Many Times

But a real heartwarming thing once happened.

I used to work with a couple of women who targeted me for bullying. One of them was in the cubicle next to me and chewed ice all day every day until I complained to the manager. Then she stopped chewing ice when he was around and started up again when he was out.

The other had nasty little things she would say. For example, another coworker and I were joking around and I called her "rascally." The bully immediately shouted out "That was uncalled for!" at me.

Well, they had the ear of the manager and her boss, and both of them made it clear that I was not in their good graces. Nothing obvious, but every couple of weeks I would be called to one or the other to "explain" something I did.

The company installed a program where employees could instant message each other. Okay, that was good because we ran out of room in my department and I was sent to sit with the programmers and database people. If I needed info, I could just IM the person instead of calling or walking to the other side of the building.

One morning, the manager called a quick meeting to tell us that the messaging system was for business use and that she had gone through the messages and was very unhappy at what she found. Since I knew that management could do that and that it's always a bad idea to put nastiness down in writing, I was in the clear. My messages were all business, with the occasional lighthearted banter. The bullies were very quiet and looked down the whole time.

From that day on, the whole vibe changed. The bullies didn't give me a rough time, I was never again called into the director's or manager's office, and the bosses actually seemed to like and trust me after that.

Sometimes bullies trip themselves up by their own stupidity.

[Initech]

56. I went through 3 years of harassment from a supervisor.

I finally went to management and told them what was really going on, and after an investigation they gave her the heave ho. The damage was done though and it still sucks that I or any one else has to go through workplace bullying. Bullying is such a horrible thing in our culture and it needs to go away