I just started a new job last month where you only move up by applying for a job.

19 Comments

1. Mtrsprtautoltd@aol.comJune 6,2023 at 1:04AM UTC

   I would ignore her lies to not help promote it. I hope that makes sense. Ghost her, act like you can’t see, hear, nor be bothered by her insanity.

   And, ask your new supervisor for advice.

2. AnonymousJune 6,2023 at 1:34AM UTC

   First off, congratulations!

   This girl is obviously jealous. Rather than better herself, it's easier to make you look stupid. Believe me, I've been in your shoes.

   Ghost her. She's a bully and will (sadly for the next victim), found someone's else to pester

3. AnonymousJune 6,2023 at 2:35AM UTC

   Aww, congratulations!

   As infuriating as this is, one of the lessons that I learned while still employed as a W-2 is to let people talk and dig their own graves. How does it look that she reached out to former employees who have since moved on from the company? Nothing good will come of her talking about you to everyone, either. This reminds me of an admin who did the exact same thing and she started and retired at the same position.

   Naw, you've got a new position to focus your energy on! Good luck!

4. AnonymousJune 6,2023 at 2:55AM UTC

   It won't stop. You must force it.

5. GirlBossanova934974June 6,2023 at 12:35PM UTC

   These days more than ever, the world is full of jealous people. Your coworker seems to be one of those very jealous people. I would ignore the whole thing. One has to ask oneself a simple question. Why if I were one of the people that this coworker spread this lie to? Would I believe it? Not at all! In fact, I would think this coworker was acting very unprofessionally and avoid her going forward. The fact that you were on the job for 2 weeks before you got this new position tells me that your management felt it HAD to get someone in the open job right away and they couldn't fool around etc.. Some times in your career, you get a good break! Take advantage of it.

6. Rebecca MillikenJune 6,2023 at 12:39PM UTC

   The best way to combat her badmouthing is to just do the job well. I wouldn't get embroiled in a fight. You need to save your energy and attention for your new position--which, by the way, congratulations.

7. AnonymousJune 6,2023 at 1:03PM UTC

   I've been there, and you can't combat it. I had someone ask me to my face who I was sleeping with when I got public recognition (and again when I got promoted). When I denied it, he said, "I know, I checked." I still don't think he ever believed it. If someone else gets something they want, it has to be through nefarious means, not because they weren't good enough.

8. Cindy GrossJune 7,2023 at 7:58PM UTC

   When someone talks as if you slept your way to a role, reply with something along the lines of "are you saying the only way for a {woman, Black person, gay person, etc.} to succeed at this company is by sleeping with someone? that's illegal, what are you accusing the company and our leadership of?" #BefriendingDragons

9. Jeannette SeiblyJune 6,2023 at 4:06PM UTC

   I've had this happen to me. I would move on and do a great job. Eventually the person will stop, or others will get tired of hearing about it and tell her to stop.

10. AnonymousJune 6,2023 at 5:13PM UTC

    I think the best approach is to speak to your union rep, see if they can help get that person written up. Be sure that you also memorialize and document this in emails and internal correspondence and make copies to your own email as well. I would not go so far as to file a defamation case here but definitely with either the manager in the room or the union rep in the room, respectfully let the person know that they need to cease and desist speaking about you to others in a defamatory way. Ask for the same respect they expect and let them know that others in leadership made the hiring decision as well and determined that you are qualified for the role. Let them know that if they are jealous because they were not considered then they should have applied as well. I am sure the team would have made the right choice either way. Congrats on the promotion and once this gets directly spoken about, step away from this because letting it fester will only hurt you in the long run. Be the leader. Turn your back to them if they continue and be firm about no further talk about it.

11. Maggie StoneJune 7,2023 at 1:11AM UTC

    I have to agree with the general gist of the comments. Take the high road and focus on yourself and your performance. Your rep and performance will balance this out. People will get sick of this and will recognize by your performance that it’s not true.

12. AnonymousJune 7,2023 at 12:25PM UTC

    I’m surprised they even let you apply for the job after only 2 weeks with the company. Every place I’ve been you have to have a year in your current post before you can apply internally - exceptions of course for things like the position you’re in is being eliminated.But you’ve got the job.

    Do your best at it and let HR and/or your union rep handle the harassment.

13. Afo Ogbeyalu KaluJune 7,2023 at 12:51PM UTC

    Draft an email directed to the employee in question, documenting your recollection of events in the most objective (as opposed to subjective) language possible. Note that you have verbally asked her to refrain from spreading untruths about your promotion, and that her behavior is creating a hostile work environment for you. Copy your union rep, supervisor, and HR. Consult an employment/labor lawyer.

14. Shelly EdwardsJune 7,2023 at 1:12PM UTC

    I would have a frank conversation about the employee to let her know that she needs to stop talking about you and your business and focus on her job. Then I would go to your HR person to let them know about her harassment and your attempts to resolve it. I’d let them know that your next stop is the union rep and you want the harassment and bullying to stop. After that if it doesn’t stop I’d get your union involved. In the meantime, let HR focus on it while you move into your new role. Focus on excelling in that role and let the haters hate. She doesn’t know what your experience levels are and it’s none of her business. Clearly the ones who matter know you’re qualified or they wouldn’t have hired you. Their opinions are the only ones that matter and they are ready to see what you can do so show them. The better you are at your job, the less room you give others to speak negatively about you.

15. Patricia CrookJune 7,2023 at 1:21PM UTC

    File a complaint with HR.

16. AnonymousJune 7,2023 at 3:06PM UTC

    I would reach out to HR. If you can ignore it then just do a good job and don't worry about it but as long as this person is there, it likely won't stop unless you quit or management makes it stop.

17. AnonymousJune 7,2023 at 3:54PM UTC

    You've already approached the employee, and she's not stopped. You've brought it up to your supervisor, and she's still not stopped. It is definitely time to involve your union rep. I would simply reach out (however you normally would, by email, phone, or in person), and lay out the facts. It is never okay for an employee to slander another.

18. ismail najjarJune 8,2023 at 6:29PM UTC

    Ignore what gas been said

    you won the job fair and square

    these things are common in offices where there are people who are envious and incapable

19. AnonymousNovember 12,2024 at 12:28PM UTC

    Document, document and document everything! Do your job to the best of your abilities, but keep documenting it all and that way, you have it there just in case.