Did you ever have a colleague or supervisor who was so difficult to work with that their behavior pushed out other staffers?

9 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 1,2025 at 3:16AM UTC

   I had something similar happen. I ended up going to a different organization within the company after a couple years. The company was eventually bought out by another company. That problem person was not hired by the new company.

2. AnonymousApril 1,2025 at 12:14PM UTC

   If it's a colleague.... I just ignored them If what I was doing was best and in accordance with company policy/systems. If it was a supervisor then I followed and did whatever they wanted me to do... but I will say that I only communicated with them in a way that I could keep receipts... email, text etc. that way if they tried to throw me under the bus, I had receipts. I'll also add that in dealing with people like this I'm petty.... I do to them what they do to me... that usually works and gets them to chill out. And as always... CYA.

3. AnonymousApril 1,2025 at 12:51PM UTC

   They value this person far more than anyone else. It's hard to watch but clearly they've made a judgement call.

4. AnonymousApril 1,2025 at 12:59PM UTC

   You have to consider what you can put up with and go with that. Job searching is not fun or good for your mental health, especially in today's market, but at the same time, neither is being miserable at work because someone is always picking at you. If you like your job despite the one colleague, try your best to keep your head down, out of their way, and only engage when necessary. If it's "just a job," I would start searching for something better/different. I have waited out some like this, and my performance was always in the "exceeds expectations" category, so I could. In my case, I was committed to my job and loved it with that one exception (both coworker and boss). In my case, putting my head down and waiting it out worked because what they did caught up with them (they were either transferred or fired, and one left on his own), but not everyone's mental health can deal with the abuse for that long.

5. James WarkApril 1,2025 at 4:40PM UTC

   Run. Run fast. Leave at your first opportunity. These sorts never change. Management and HR never deal with them. My wife had a similar situation. Colleague of nearly 20 years. .. it made her ill. It is not worth it. Find another role with colleagues who value your efforts.

6. AnonymousApril 2,2025 at 2:28PM UTC

   Have you lodged a formal complaint stating how this behavior interferes with your ability to enjoy a stress free non toxic environment? Get it documented with HR as a start. Lodging a formal complaint requires investigation by HR. I’ve had to lodge one recently where a colleague who I’ve worked with for years finally crossed a line with me and called me a liar in a meeting and impugned my credibility. I had complained about her nasty attitude a year ago but THIS is absolute GOLD for me. So I told my boss that I would not speak to her until I had a formal apology and she is formally reprimanded. So while it’s created a really uncomfortable atmosphere, I’m not the victim of dealing with this entitled difficult person, manager s and HR need to take action and it is the right thing to do. Sometimes you have to wait for the opportunityand be careful not to be a whiny victim because that’s how these people are able to continue. Good luck.

7. AnonymousApril 2,2025 at 9:12PM UTC

   Sure, but our leadership loved this person so nothing ever happened to them. Whenever they were used as a reason a person was leaving, they just nodded and smiled.

   It was extremely frustrating.

8. Sidney BristowApril 5,2025 at 12:39PM UTC

   I am living the very situation you describe. The person is a total bully! And the loudest in the room!

   During a confrontation, I did not capitulate under their abuse so that now they mostly berate me behind my back (mostly to folks who already know I do a good job), so I consider that a win. If I bent over backwards whenever they came at me, it would never ever stop. No amount of "keeping my head down" is ever enough for a bully!! They thrive on chaos and fear: DONT GIVE IT TO THEM.

   We have new management and I've given them a mental deadline for dealing with the situation. I have also expressed to management that the person seems to get their way because they talk the loudest. They didn't seem to appreciate my saying that, but couldnt deny that it was true.

   If this is not better by my mental deadline, I will need to go elsewhere. I must prioritize my mental and physical health over this job.

9. AnonymousApril 11,2025 at 12:43AM UTC

   OP here. I recently pushed back against the bully, I was hardly harsh at all but just called her out on her behavior towards me. Not suprisingly, a few of her loyal minions came back at me to defend her. Felt like high school all over again-- someone bullied goes after the bully and she starts crying and her groupies gather around to wipe her tears. Except at this place, the bully is 60.