I just realized that my employer is deliberately sabotaging my work.

14 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 22,2023 at 2:26PM UTC

   That's awful!! Make sure to save a copy of your work on a thumb drive so if it gets deleted again, you have it.

2. AnonymousMarch 22,2023 at 2:53PM UTC

   I would continue to document these occurrences and let your supervisor know.

   Just be extra vigilant and watch your back. If your supervisor doesn't address them then you'll need to go to HR.

3. AnonymousMarch 22,2023 at 2:59PM UTC

   So, here's the kicker. I'm HR. I have one supervisor, the one who's doing the sabotaging. I'm basically documenting and taking screenshots of my work but it's difficult because there's no one for me to go to, other than her. This is new to me. Never, ever have I had this happen in over 20 years of being in this field.

4. QMarch 23,2023 at 4:43PM UTC

   Who does this person report to? Since the two of you are the only HR personnel, your hands are a bit tied on going to HR, but she must have someone she ultimately reports to. That line of authority may be your only recourse. Just go prepared with the concrete evidence, documentation of the frequency (dates it occurs), as well as any documentation showing you have tried to address it with her directly. You will want a show of good faith and a good attitude for the meeting if you can get one. This is about workplace integrity and the importance of truth and transparency in HR for the employer. It hurts on a personal level, but that can't be what you bring to the table in the discussion.

5. Erica MitchellMarch 22,2023 at 4:36PM UTC

   Take pictures of your completed work and pictures after she changes it. As anonymous stated, document everything. Be specific such as date, time , etc. After you have a good amount, take it to HR or her boss. What she's doing is not ok.

6. Kimberley Ferretti HammettMarch 22,2023 at 4:57PM UTC

   Yes, keep copies and proof. Also, though, prepare yourself to remain calm and determine when to stay quiet. It is not a fair situation but unfortunately the situation you are in gives a small window of reaction where you will come out looking good. Don't stand up for yourself? You look bad. You get too emotional standing up for yourself? You look really bad. Be prepared for the possibility that when you stand up for yourself with proof they could lie or come back with something else unfair. If this happens, reacting with frustration or accusations, though valid, couldbenefit their agenda by making you a part of this drama. So just be prepared and be mindful before you react to anything.

   I say this having learned a lesson. I had been made to look like a liar by someone and it took me going to another leader in my life crying for advice and they asked me if I wanted everyone to know I was right or if I wanted to get past this. It was at the point that was the choice and I am so grateful they made me see that. Sometimes the truth comes out better with time or from someone else than from us being defensive. I have later found in moments I took my time to react to these situations the other party has gotten flustered and by trying harder to make me look bad, exposed themselves for me.

   Good luck. It's a tough position to be in and totally unfair. But you've got this!

7. AnonymousMarch 22,2023 at 6:59PM UTC

   If you don’t know how to do this, talk to someone in IT or a trusted colleague to get the metadata on the file, and screenshot when it was last modified and by whom.
   You can probably also see this by clicking Properties on a file. But some company file systems might give you this info up front as well.

   Also, when you are finished with something, save it was a PDF for your own records. If you see changes made later, use the metadata on the changed file to show it was modified, and use the PDF you saved of the original to demonstrate what your final version looked like.

   If you keep running into this issue, I would skip confronting the manager and take it straight to HR—only with concrete prof though.

8. MislynMarch 22,2023 at 10:30PM UTC

   Yes get the metadata off the computer and save everything on a Zip drive you take home daily. Put it on your key chain. Look the next day and that way you know who was on your computer and when. Save all files delete daily what you don’t want on there. Also use Dropbox shared files and add the other person. Or install edge sync on all your devices. You can sync computers and cell phones and all activity is right there you can find out exactly what is being looked at or logged into. You will know when they opened it or what was sent.

9. Lori CasoMarch 23,2023 at 12:14PM UTC

   You say “other than looking for a new job”- but why ??‍♀️…. The suggestions given on this post are wonderful, but they are a lot of work - on top of your normal workload! You deserve to be valued, frankly I’d get my resume updated and look for a company where I wasn’t gaslighted. Best of luck ☘️

10. Shelly EdwardsMarch 23,2023 at 1:23PM UTC

    I would also make sure you are saving a copy of your completed work to your own computer or somewhere your coworker does not have access. That way you can prove what you did and how it was later changed.

11. Joyce Breitweiser HallMarch 23,2023 at 2:17PM UTC

    From what you’ve said, she is the head of HR and it sounds like you are her only employee, is that correct?

    If so, I think the bigger question is why is she doing this?

    Does she want you to quit? If so, why? Does she want to hire someone at a lower salary to save the company money? Is she afraid you will replace her? Something else?

    Otherwise, is she doing this because she enjoys her power over others and wants to make things difficult for you for the fun of it?

    Or, does she want to fire you?

    Or has her boss put her up to this in order to get you to quit or to fire you?

    To decide what to do, the first question is who does she report to? The CEO? Are they in this together or is she doing it on her own? Would her boss be receptive to your information with evidence?

12. AnonymousMarch 23,2023 at 5:26PM UTC

    If the person you mention is not an HR person then bring this to HR show them the documentation in an non-accusatory way. Ask for their support and additionally ask them if there is some issue or concern that you need to be made aware of. If this does not solve it bring it to the EEOC and file a formal complaint about this with them. It requires the company to do an investigation within 30 days to address the situation if you feel you are being targeted.

13. AnonymousMarch 23,2023 at 9:03PM UTC

    Keep flawless records offsite.

    Bcc emails and attachments to your home computer, or print copies of key materials and store them at home.

    Keep a dated diary at home of interactions with your supervisor. Be brief and factual.

    As needed, share records with HR.

    If you are being targeted/sabotaged due to your race, gender, religion, nationality, sexual preference or age, you might have a cause for legal action. If so, consult an employment lawyer who takes plaintiff’s (employees’) cases.

14. AnonymousMarch 24,2023 at 1:14PM UTC

    I was in a similar situation - I knew what I needed to do, but the restrictions and controls in place weren’t allowing me to take screen shots, forward eMails / documentation outside of the company’s network, and / or print the documents. I also had signed agreements that it was against company policy to take photos, or backups to my personal laptop, of any documents, work I had completed, etc. I decided that I needed to protect myself and to take photos of everything. The photos couldn’t be used.

    Later I found out that the company was one that had been purchased several times over the last few years due to litigation against them for ethics and regulatory violations - they changed their name with each acquisition. One of those »company names« from years ago was a company that I left due to management asking me to change financial records to give the impression that there were in better shape financially than the market showed. I refused and I resigned at that time years ago.

    Ultimately I resigned in this more »current« experience with them where their records were being changed so that it appeared my work was completed by someone else. I worked with the highest level of Tech Support to figure out what was happening. I received a call one night from the Tech Support person I worked with most frequently. He told me about the systematic way records were being changed, deleted, or reassigned to others leading to the appearance that I wasn’t doing anything. When I met with my manager and the VP/Director over the division, the VP was very blunt about the fact that he wasn’t a US Citizen, he didn’t care about US regulations and laws, and I had to live with that. I was prepared mentally and emotionally for the discussion because of the what had come before. Unfortunately these events seem to occur more frequently than ever before. The regulations need more to be effective so that they are taken seriously