Is this harrassment and if so what can I do about it?

Question

I have been working at a hospital since April and for some reason my boss really seems to hate me and I mean hate me like nothing ever. I have no idea what I have ever done to her, I show up for work on time and often leave late, I have showed up with strep throat, when a family member died. I dont take lunches or breaks. Every day she calls to tell me about something that I have done wrong, even though I do it according to procedure, and when I tell her that, she gets even more infuriated. When other people ask for certain days off, or to work certain shifts she tells them she will work with them. When I ask, she tells me that she cant do it and that I will have to go to a "relief" position. She writes me letters telling me why she disapproves of what I am doing job wise. I have never received proper training, I was just thrust into the job and left to sink or swim, and I do admit that I make mistakes but I learn from them and dont repeat them. What should I do since HR wont help me?

I have had other co workers even point out how she seems to be targeting me. Its frustrating and they tell me NOT to quit so I dont give her the satisfaction. But I feel like quitting because I dread work so much. I am torn as to what to do. 12 people have left the department in the last year but H.R. only tells me that I have to deal with it. HELP!

Answer 1

First, let me give your boss the benefit of the doubt because obviously it is only your persective that we see here. Working hard does not eqaute to good performance on the job. It is not how you work, but the results you produce. That is why some people sarcastically say - - - you get an "A" for effort. I have seen some really tough bosses with very high standards. You need to measure up.

If this is not the case, someone will have to put a STOP to this series of resignations. Thsi should be brought to the the CEO. If your boss is the CEO, then you could bring the matter to a lawyer who could give you the best advise on how to take legal action.

Answer 2

Well first of all, your HR person is incompetent. If your story is true, the advice you received from HR is worthless.

Thanks for letting me vent. :) When an employee is being treated differently in the ways that you describe, yes, it could constitute harassment. You can show material loss - not being given the same treatment in terms of work hours and shifts, being given disciplinary actions, etc. You have several choices for dealing with this:

1) make an appointment with the boss. Start by saying that you feel like you've gotten off on the wrong foot and really want to do a good job for her. Ask her what she thinks of your performance, and ask specific questions rather than getting defensive - "OK, so you don't see me as taking initiative? Could you give me an example of what you'd like me to do to demonstrate that?" Sometimes bullies back off when you move over to "their" side of the argument. You may find more ideas at www.bigbadboss.com.

2) check with the dept of labor (www.dol.gov) or with an employment attorney in your area to see if you may have a valid harassment case. The DoL will file a claim on your behalf for free.

3) Find a new job. It's YOUR satisfaction that matters, not that of your coworkers or your boss. If staff turnover is as high as you describe, something is not right and maybe if enough good people leave, HR will wake up and realize that this boss is the problem.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Managers like to feel they are important. So someone who makes mistakes, asks for help, says "yes boss" when told they have done things incorrectly, even if they haven't , get treated better than a competent person who says they are competent.

What can you do? Well you have no evidence. She has piles of written evidence against you, and nothing in writing about you doing a good job. The more you fight the more difficult your job will become. Then one day you will make a mistake and be fired, which you can't fight because of the other documents.

Life sucks, people suck. Too many sad lonely losers make other people's lives difficult.

Here are some things you can do. Document what happens. Keep a diary of what she does. You can present this later if you need to.

Write a formal letter of complaint to senior managers, but seriously, they won't want to be involved, if there is apparent conflict they will just do the simplest thing to get get rid of it (means firing you).

Find another job. Don't waste your life in companies like this. Eventually they will get you. If you beat them, they are bullies and will find some new way to get at you.

**** jobs attract **** people. So let them live in their own **** and you can find something better and new.

Answer 4

I had a boss like this once - she always had a person in our department that she singled out for trouble. When that person finally got fed up and quit, she'd move on to another person. It was bizarre - like she couldn't function without having someone to pick on.

(If your boss is like that, perhaps that's why your co-workers don't want you to leave...they know one of them will be the next to get picked on if you go. lol)

Seriously though - as unfortunate as it may be, it doesn't sound like it meets the legal definition of "harassment." Only you can decide whether you can continue to live with her treatment...keep this in mind, if she hates you that much and singles you out for trouble, you may have a difficult time advancing to other positions in the hospital. Generally the supervisor of any new position you'd apply for would check with your current supervisor for her input.

That's why most of the people who worked under my old boss ended up leaving - they knew they'd never be able to get away from her at the company, because she'd sabotage any job they applied for. So, they left the company to get away from her.

(I just went on maternity leave and never came back...realized that I'd probably be next in line for her awful treatment b/c most of my co-workers were gone, and I didn't want to deal with it. On the bright side, the crazy ***** ultimately got fired...its just unfortunate that the company lost a lot of good employees who left b/c of her, before they finally decided to fire her.)

Unless you think there's a good chance that your boss will be leaving soon or that you could transfer to a different position under a different manager, I'd consider looking for a new job. No job is worth the sort of drama that bosses like that can put you through.

Answer 5

I am really at a loss as what to tell you, if you are'nt getting any support from "HR", but she has to have another boss, an over seer of her job duty's, if so, why not go to them? I did how ever see at lest two related links right here on yahooanswers, about the same question, maybe you can look them up, and another link you can check out, is-www.explodingdog.com, it is about the same issue, I hope she stops being such a B*tch, and gets of her permanent "rag", it sounds as if she is really jelous of you!

Answer 6

Actually it's not harassment because the treatment is not aimed at you due to your gender, race or religion. You have a mean, hateful boss. It's legal for her to be mean. Maybe not wise, but absolutely legal.

Your best option is to simply look for a job with a better boss.

Answer 7

Sometimes people just DO NOT get along. I have a student at my house and i really hate her... I dont know why but i just hate her i mean im only 13 but ahhhh. Your boss may be jeleous of you or perhaps just simply does not like you!

Whats the point of being around people who you dont like or dont like you? It only drags you down and makes you angry upset and frustrated!