WordPress prompt for today – Think of a time you let something slide, only for it to eat away at you later. Tell us how you’d fix it today.
Hierarchies rule in Government organisations. I put a lot of work into a document to go up the General Manager for approval. I provided a draft to my line manager and she changed it significantly and sent it up-line to the General Manager. I didn’t see the changes she made. Next thing I knew was the General Manager came to my desk and shouted profanities at me for the content of the document. I was dumbfounded – it was in front of all my work colleagues in an open plan office. My manager was in an office close by but did not intervene. I felt like I couldn’t say that the offending content was the work of my manager, not me – but that would have been dobbing her in, so I just sat there and copped it.
At the time I just shrugged it off and got on with my work. I knew an injustice had taken place but hey, that’s what the workplace is like, isn’t it?
No way would I put up with that sort of behaviour today. I would stop him in his tracks by indicating I wasn’t about to take what he wanted to dump on me. I would insist that we go somewhere private to have the conversation. I would not take the actual and body language he used. If he failed to respond to those requests, I would go to my Manager’s office and involve her in the discussion. To be honest, if these things didn’t work, I would leave my desk and either go home or seek help from Human Resources staff. When it comes to fight or flight, I definitely lean towards winging my way out of the situation 🙂
OMG – I am so glad I don’t work there anymore!!!
Lorraine
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I’ve worked for some “bullies” like that . . .
Once, I was able to point out that the noted deficiency had NOTHING to do with me. Another time, I said, “you don’t pay me enough to yell at me.” 😀
I wish I had thought of those responses at the time!
Bullying at work is so widespread but often subtle in its expression.People are worn down over time. I also hate the way people in more senior jobs use their status to throw their weight about. Very important topic you touched on here
What you say is so true! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this story 🙂