I work in a very small office (only 2 people) and I need major advice about working with a nutbag (see below)?

Question

Okay here is the company lineup...two brothers who own the place and two office workers...me - been here 4 years and another girl - been here 12 years. We spend all day in an office alone together. She is constantly calling me stupid and yelling at me in completely unprofessional ways. I addressed this with my boss once already and it stopped temporarily but now she is doing it again. Today she belittled me to where I was almost in tears. How do I again bring this up to my boss without it sounding like we are just two females having a cat fight?

Answer 1

First of all, Why would you subject yourself to someone belittling you? Have you told this co-worker how they make you feel? If you and your co-worker can't resolve this, then speak to your boss again and tell him this is harassment and he needs to do something about the situation. You have rights as an employee and this other person sounds like a bully. Take Action! Record how this other person talks to you during the day and then play it back to your boss. I'll bet he'll do something about it then................Good Luck

Answer 2

Hi. Instead of going to your boss again, why not confront her. She is getting to you and she probably knows it. She won't stop unless she is put in her place.

The next time she starts yelling and calling you stupid, stop....get right up close to her and look her in the eyes and say....."Sarah, I won't tolerate your rude, insensitive comments anymore! I want it to stop now!" Tell her that you like your job (I'm assuming you do except for her) and that you are doing your job and she is acting in a very unprofessional way.

If it keeps up....I hate to say it, but you may want to just start looking for another job. When the boss asks why you are quitting, simply tell him that they will be going through a string of office workers unless "Sarah's" attitude changes.

I have worked in offices all my life (I'm 51).....so I know how hard this is. I really think if you just get in her face and stick up for yourself it will catch her off guard and maybe (and it's only a maybe) she will change. If things don't....get a different job!

Answer 3

Before you do anything, don't react to her. If she has been there for 12 years, it is likely that the boss knows what she is like. She may be threatened or jealous of you.
When she starts yelling or belittling you, smile sweetly and walk away. Refuse to let it upset you. She will get her thrill from making you miserable. Don't let her get the upper hand.
If you complain to the boss it will seem like you are being difficult.
On another note, start looking for a better job. 4 years with abuse is long enough.

Answer 4

Rudolph is correct in his assessment: do not record the conversation or it may be you out that door. It has always been my observation that these situations are only successfully worked out amongst yourselves without getting the managers involved, never mind the owners. It also makes you look petty as well as not being able to handle your own affairs. You need to work this out with her. I've often diffused a situation like this by inviting the other to lunch and then lead into discussing the problem and how it can be resolved. It can be something as simple as her having issues at home and just taking it out on you. The solution would be: suggestions on how you've handled situations like this, but be careful as to your answer since you and she are alone working together.

I had an opportunity to work in an office with one other person and I turned it down for this reason.

Answer 5

Noone deserves that kind of abuse. You need to stand up for yourself otherwise you will never have any peace at work, unless you get another job elsewhere.
The next time she starts yelling at you, yell back at her. For her to take the hint you'll have to be just as nasty as her. If she still doesn't get it...tell her (have the recorder out where she can see it) "If you don't stop HARRASSING me I will have NO choice but to make recordings of the harrassment as proof when I go to (insert boss' name here). Understand?" This step is required if you intend to record her because it is illegal to record someone without their knowledge. Keep the recorder and tapes locked up somewhere so she can't access and destroy them. Also don't keep the tapes in a metal container because the magnetic properties of the metal can destroy the contents of the tape.

Answer 6

What you're experiencing is harassment, and there are laws to protect you from it. I would jot down a few of the things she says to you, and have a meeting with your boss. Tell him that the behavior is unacceptable, and ask how you file a written complaint.

If your bosses are aware that this is going on and have done nothing to permanently stop it, they are in violation of the law and you can sue them - not saying you want to do this; however, you can mention to them that her behavior opens the company up to a lawsuit, and reflects badly on all of you.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

I always say to people "your momma' or 'your momma what". pretty much any thing they say just answer your momma. The dumber the answer your momma is the more they get mad. never let them make you cry, never let them see you sweat! Buck-up and get get some courage.
If they say my momma has passed away answer them So that is what smells in your desk, in the trash can, refrigerator, toilet, etc etc. Use whatever location you want or you think will make they the angriest. DO NOT RECORD ANY CONVERSATIONS TO PLAY FOR YOUR BOSS!!! This will but YOU in question and make your boss worry what else you might be recording.

Answer 9

Talk to your boss about it again. She is harassing you.
DO NOT give her the benefit of the doubt.
If you could somehow record/document what she is saying, that would def help you. She sounds like a psycho.

Answer 10

Get a small tape recorder, and when she starts a tirade get it on tape, take it to him. Don't whine, tell him that it's unprofessional and play it for him. Tell him that you wanted him to hear it for himself and that you didn't want there to be any room for anyone to down play your reaction to it.