I’m am now experiencing a major issue with a manager at my part time job. It has a lot do with gossiping, dishonesty, and developing a hostile work environment with an employee. The issue involves another co-worker that I am friends with and my merchandising manager. I was pissed off when I found out that the manager lied on me to my co-worker about something he didn’t see me do. He pulled her aside and said that he saw me on my cell phone in the fitting room and that he would keep an eye on me. If he saw the phone out again, then I’m done. My co worker looked confused and asked why is he explaining this to her and did he tell me about it. He said he did, but he lied and never warned me about anything. He also gives me stares at times while working, and is flirtatious to my co-worker. He’s a back-stabber and will smile in your face like everything is fine. I felt uncomfortable because he’s sharing false accusation about me behind my back to another co-worker, which is very un- professional. He also told lies to other managers about others and myself, so I’m worried about my job right now. I also feel this has alot to do with my hours being reduced, since I work 20 or more hours every week.
Is this a sign of harrassment in the workplace? Should I talk to the head boss or the corporate office about this?

I have always been the guy who lives his life with honesty, and tries to treat others with decency and respect. I have carried this over into the workplace.

Unfortunately, I have discovered that corporate life is not conducive to working on the straight and narrow. Not only do unethical and hostile people make more money and get promoted faster, they actually target those who are honest and respectful.

It’s not a matter of me going around and shaking my finger at them and lecturing them either. I just mind my own business and do my thing, which seems to aggravate them even more.

At my current company, the gossip and drama and backstabbing is so vicious, that my department has the highest turnover in the entire corporation of 10,000. I am looking to get out, too, and am actively interviewing. In the meantime, what are the best survival tips for this situation? Should I push back on the bullies and start bad-mouthing them? I’d hate to think that I have to stoop to their level, but I may have no choice.

Please keep in mind that management in this department openly encourages the cattiness and two-faced behavior, so it does not make sense to report the bullying to them. Furthermore, anymore in this department who goes to the ombudsman or HR is met with greater bullying, and is denied raises and promotions because they are viewed as a “tattler”.

Heres the deal. For the last 4 years I have worked in telephone fundraising, I know not a great deal, but I started when I was 18. After 2 years I was general manager, and in Feb I was fired for backlash on a paycut. Well I went to another fundraising company and I am back selling on the phone, and I am too good at it. I out produce the best veterans in the industry and im 22 years old. They hate this and it is creating a hostile enviornment. There are 2 people that are top producers, and the boss is her boyfriend and the other is her son who is also 22. Long story short, what is the best way to deal with workplace jealousy? Should I be worried for my job because I am far too overqualified? Any input would be great, thanks!

I would like to leave my current job as an Brokerage account payable clerk. I would like to resign ( I am currently in search of another position). THis job is very depressing. It is hostile and no one at this job is happy! They have been through six receptionists since i’ve worked there and I have seen five people hired into this office and three people fired! (remember I have only been here six months). Everyone who makes a mistake gets yelled at by a member of mgmt in front of everyone! They do not hesitate to yell at anyone. This is not how mgmt is supposed to be. My boss is depressed and she always takes here frustrations out on me. I will not accept that this is how the workplace is supposed to be. Everyone I talk to says that their job is not like this…..I would like to resign. But before I do, I’ve only worked with this company for six months. So my two questions are 1) What would my reason be for leaving this company and I only been here for six months when I interview for another position and 2) Should I resign with a nast letter(I really want to tell them how I feel) or a professional letter?

Why are women so hostile towards each other?
So we had this cute new girl join our firm this past month. I and the other guys have noticed a lot of hostility towards her by the other girls in the office. When we go out to lunch, she eats with us, 3 or 4 guys, instead of the other girls. She’s also been rudely cut off while speaking by the other women during meetings. They go out of their way to make her feel unwelcome. I don’t get why women are so threatened by a pretty, smart girl in the workplace of all places ? I mean its not like we’re banging each other that the girls should be defending their turf or something. I don’t get it

Is there a name for anything worse than having too much favoritism in the workplace? I mean when 60% of the workplace employees are all related to each other. I have been told that this is not nepotism because it is not a government employer-it is also NOT a family business. It is a corporation. There is no union and no parent (umbrella corporation) so when incidents arise those caught up are allowed to weasel through and “get by” without writeups. 50% of the employees OBSTRUCT those working diligently and the other 50% (those not related) are always having to re-prove themselves (regardless of how many years on the job). When the subject of HIRING FROM THE OUTSIDE comes up people start getting hostile-all the way up the ladder from the bottom. It also amazes me when questions about favoritism are posted how many respond by saying to “..get a job somewhere else”. WRONG!! That’s a cop out and an excuse.Do not respond with sarcasm or you will be reported for abuse
OK. How do sexual harassment and rape play into this kind of work environment?

I’ve worked at my job since I was 16. I’m now 21 and for the past 5 years, every summer and winter break until recently; I’ve been employed at Qdoba Mexican Grill, as a basic lineperson. I obtained the job due to nepotism, my father owns the local franchise. It was due to this that I was and never could be fired, and indeed I was not. I worked hard and presume I preformed well; although I can not confirm this as I has received a performance review with ANY manager, ever. The reason I quit is that at the my current location, and, in reality every location ever since originally employment. I have been treated as unnecessary burden by the managers and disliked and disrespected by the crew. Although nearly every manager, but one, treated me with a superficially kindness as I grew older the attitude they showed me began to become suspect. If I made a mistake they weren’t concerned and my every wish for more or less hours was granted. I believe this may be the reason that I never stayed at the same restraunt for more than a few months. I think that I was viewed as a brief, and seasonal burden. The staff was, as in most restraunts, were a gaggle of teenage girls and immature ‘dudes’. These individuals as well disliked me-all of them. This is an unfortunate and seemingly systematic problem of mine. The female employees viewed me as creepy while the males as a dork. As well I was refused entry to the workplace social life, everyone else going somewhere or doing something together, and me left to my own friends who weren’t involved with my job. Over time the managers seemed to take part in this, on some levels encourage this maltreatment. Never the less I took my emotionalbludgeoningl for exchanger I was promised a secure job along with a paycheck. All of this was, of course, behind the scenes. As I would stand preforming some task I would overhear conversations among the managers or the staff in which I was described as an ‘idiot’ or a homosexual (I’m not), or a creep…ect. This recently reached the breaking point, I didn’t storm out or create an embarrassing scene; I informed my father, who I had previously been keeping this from; of my situation. At which point I was allowed to quit. Either way, I’m not sure of what to do about the situation. I’m sure many people hate there job, but if it involves a hostile work environment; isn’t that on a different level than say, bad hours, or low pay? I guess why I asked this is that: I’m not sure how to feel, on one hand I’m elated and on the other I’m terrified at the prospect of unemployment and worried that where ever I go it will be as bad or worse than where I left. If you were in my situation, what would you have done?
Thanks in advance, sorry it was sooo long!

I was to leave my job on 09/28/07 and gave my place of employment notice.Iwas working with the office manager because she is in charge of payroll to finalize the disbursement of profit sharing plan. There were some glitches because my husband lives in Mexico and I here in the U.S. and I needed to get my husband to sign and notarize documents. I came into the office late one day after a dr’s appt and my immediate supervisor had my documents on her desk and told me in a hostile tone that my husband needed to the US Embassy in Mexico City and have the documents notarized. I believe that she had no right to stick her nose in my personal business.My department complained to the office manager that she had created a hostile work environment.The office manager then spoke to the owner. My supervisor then met with my department and said that the owner told her “not to listen to us.” So nothing was ever done. I was offended that she stuck her nose in my personal information that I quit.

There has been quite a bit of drama at my workplace but to make a long story quite short, one person in particular has been quite hostile to me and only me.
She seems to be liked by everyone else, but she’s only civil to me when other people are watching.
I’m afraid that since everyone else likes her, they will get mad at me for telling my boss (or HR) what is going on? How can I avoid making a bigger problem for myself and others?

I am a professional expert on ‘workplace bullying.’ In the USA, most workers are aware of ‘sexual harassment’ & ‘hostile work environment’ & we have laws against this. “Workplace bullying’ is a larger, more umbrella term, that includes the entire gamut of all negative, non-supportive, undermining behaviors towards an employee, whether the source is from a boss, a coworker, or a subordinate. Many other countries have strict laws against workplace bullying, in order to safeguard & ensure a more civil, socially just workplace for its citizens. These include Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Sweden (where original research was done & wpb term originated), the UK, to name a few. Efforts are underway to bring more protective laws to the USA, although change is slow. I am writing a book on the subject, & am seeking interviewees for case studies for the book. Your identity will remain confidential. If interested in being interviewed, contact me. If you are being bullied, do not stay silent.