How are you supposed to work with a sociopath??

Question

I have been employed by an organisation for 3 years. I enjoy my job immensely, however it is only a small office (2 people - me and the coordinator).

Over time the Coordinator has increasingly emphasised that certain things need to change in my working role to assist reaching targets. I have adapted process slightly, although still inline with policy and the way things are completed in other regional offices.

On looking into the statistics I found that my working role was well above state averages and in fact the Coordinator role was under performing. When the Coordinator was requested to justify the poor performance of the overall statistics it was presented that my role was not up to scratch.

Now I find I cannot trust the Coordinator and things are being put in place to justify me being fired in order to protect the Coordinator role. The Coordinator is incompetent, continuously defensive and certainly a sociopath - without walking away from my job - what can I do?

Answer 1

Document everything. I hate this is happening to you. I got set up to be fired once. It worked, but only because I was over anxious and had mental issues I knew nothing about until I did get fired. So getting fired was a good thing for me, but I know it's NOT going to be a good thing for you.

I don't understand how you can have good reports that you could access and the Coordinator can lie like that without showing proof about your individual progress.



You can't talk to the regional manager because you can't trust him/her not to let things get back to the sociopath.

Sociopaths are impossible to deal with. I'd start looking for another job, but I'd also make sure my rear end was covered...document everything.

Answer 2

Is there someone in the regional office you know and trust? It is always tricky when working alongside anyone who is not honest and shirking their duties. The tough part is that unless and until upper management gets a clue, this person will persist in slacking off or remain incompetent. Hopefully, your previous and ongoing record will prove itself to the extent that the evildoer will not be able to sabotage you for his/her own gain -- that rarely works out for someone like that, but it often takes too long to catch up to and many times the vilified person (you) is already gone. If you really like your job, stick it out and see what happens. At some point, you may be able to confront this person and let him/her know you are wise to the game -- find someone in the HR dept. you can speak to in the region/home office -- unfortunately, it will probably only get worse; maybe management will figure it out sooner than later and put that person on notice or flat out fire him/her.
Sorry, this is probably not what you wanted to read, but, again, it is very hard to play the game they do - they are generally experts at it and if you are not, you will be the one hurt.

Answer 3

I'm sorry to say but there is nothing you can do that could save your tail. If they have decided to get rid of you, there is nothing you can do. I was in a similar situation where I complained about my boss (a lot of other people had complained about her too- and she and I were the only ones working together), a day after she gave me a great review- not even this saved me. Although HR told me they were looking for ways to get rid of her before, but failed. I was very angry for a long time because I thought I was doing the organization a favor. They did fire my boss, but a month after they started "restructuring" the dept. and my position was cut. So I got the ax anyway. They look into their best interest- not yours. So look for yours and get yourself out of that situation.

Good luck.

Answer 4

You may have many options based on what state you work in and whether you are part of a legally protected group. You can always file a complaint with HR. Although this won't save your job, it might by you some time. I really can't give you any solid advice but I can refer you to the most outstanding employment law site of which I'm aware.

http://www.timslaw.com/

Answer 5

WALK AWAY!!! There is nothing that you can do!! Certainly not in my experience. They generally generate support--suck up to- superiors. It's astounding what those people can DO!!! Assess your own strengths; get additional training with student loads, etc.; and find a better job!! There is ALWAYS negotiating around "superiors"!! But if you can find a job that you are good at AND ENJOY---you can always work your way around those who want to get "rid" of you.

Answer 6

Do you have a PHD or only a Masters Degree in Abberant Psychology? Where did you do your internship, and are you currently licensed in your state?

If not, best leave clinical diagnostics to professionals?