I’m currently completing my last two weeks on a contract position at a tech startup, that was treated like a salaried position with no set end date (one week left).

Anonymous

May 8,2023 at 3:43PM UTC

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I’m currently completing my last two weeks on a contract position at a tech startup, that was treated like a salaried position with no set end date (one week left). One of the main reasons I’m being let go is my colleague’s refusal to collaborate with me on anything the company actually needs, according to my CEO, who seemed unhappy to let me go. She’s a professional copywriter with years of agency experience. I am a (much younger) researcher/writer with less overall experience than her, but with more experience in this general industry. She has been extremely condescending to me (both in public and private), attempted to humiliate me on public channels, told other people not to ask me for input because “she’s entry level, she doesn’t know anything” (not true), tried to convince me to take a low-paying entry level role in advertising, and more. My CEO is well aware of this treatment and we’ve talked about it. We’re the only 2 women on the team, she seems eager for me to have zero involvement in anything that matters (like our website launch) and I have been nothing but kind to her. Basically, she’s an insecure snake who feels threatened by me.

A short time before this, she asked me to do some industry research and compile the findings, which I was somewhat enjoying, although I know this work isn’t really needed by the company (our CEO laughed and rolled his eyes after I told him about it). I was still working on it, although it was going more slowly than I originally anticipated. But after I got the news, and her role in my termination, I paused the work - I need to prioritize job hunting since I am the breadwinner. Of course, knowing this, she decides to circle back up to let me know “she knows I’m leaving soon” and wants to know when I can deliver something. I’m inclined to try to push and put something together to send her but it also gives me anxiety, considering that I need to find another role. What should I do?

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KatMay 8,2023 at 4:51PM UTC
Why should you help her out? She's responsible for pushing you out. Why the CEO didn't do or say anything about this is surprising since you two seem to get along well. (You'd think he'd at least try to help you find another job if he likes you so much, but that's not the issue here.) Do what you can do reasonably. Meet with her and the CEO to determine what are the highest priority projects that can be completed in your remaining time there. Don't push yourself or work extra to meet deadlines or finish projects. She wants you out, so she can deal with the consequences of her actions by being left with a pile of work she'll have to do herself.
AnonymousMay 8,2023 at 5:52PM UTC
Exactly! Be careful what you wish for is so true in this case!
AnonymousMay 12,2023 at 10:30AM UTC
I would think you do not want to work there if the CEO is allowing this behavior. As for the work, don't do it. Tell her the draft and the findings are in the a folder and since you could not make her happy she would need to complete it.
AnonymousMay 8,2023 at 6:08PM UTC
Okay first of all, if you're 1099 and they're treating you like a contractor employee -- that's illegal lol. You technically don't have to deliver anything, just leave her on read and mute her notifications. If she comes at you, then just state as a 1099 contractor you're also a little confused by how the dynamic has blurred in full time W2 categories, but will take any next steps from the appropriate point person i.e. CEO as that's within the legal framework of your role. You don't need to respond to her at all actually, just write all this to HR, CC her and your boss.
AnonymousMay 9,2023 at 12:44PM UTC
Ignore her. Colleague not boss, not signing your paycheck, nothing.
AnonymousMay 9,2023 at 3:31PM UTC
Do what you feel is right.
AnonymousMay 9,2023 at 6:13PM UTC
Clearly she is professionally jealous of you, that you cannot change and perhaps because of her more advanced age is afraid of being replaced by you with your domain expertise. So, leave with your head held high. Do the last project and be sure you respectfully go. Burning the bridge with her or anyone else in the company is the wrong exit strategy because you may well need them for references. She and others will most likely remember your last act as a good one vs a bad one if you do. If she should ever leave or they do decide to terminate her or bring you back you are more likely to have that happen should you go with grace. Good luck in your job search, and when asked about why you are leaving - do agree with the person that you reported to on the story - something like- the work dried up but we would bring her back in a second if there was more to do.
AnonymousMay 10,2023 at 12:38PM UTC
It’s up to you. I don’t think her opinion of you hinges on whether you get her this information or not. If you can do more on it, and want to, do it. But if not, for whatever reason, feel free to include it on your list of work in progress when you leave. Personally, I’d put it at the bottom of my todo list every day. When she checks in, let her know how much you are enjoying the research, and are working on it. A week flys by.
Brittany Butkiewicz GonzalezMay 10,2023 at 1:04PM UTC
Just info dump her the stuff you do have. Do no more work.
AnonymousMay 10,2023 at 3:03PM UTC
I think it all hinges on what feels
right to you, how do you want to go
out? I hated my boss with a passion after years of harassment I finally found a new job and left , however I felt I needed to finish up what I could to the best of my ability and leave a email with what was done and what was left. To me personally it was important to be as professional as possible and no one could say I left them in bad shape or anything derogatory . I felt better doing that and others I worked with appreciated that , you seem on good terms with the ceo and others why burn a bridge ? I’m not saying you need to go above and beyond but finish up what you can and leave in a high note if you can’t finish what she wants just leave the progress of where you left off… good luck!
AnonymousMay 10,2023 at 4:56PM UTC
You need to talk to HR. We’re you brought in as a 1099? In what ways were you treated like a full time employee. Work load?
Try to be as profess possiblye, document May and all harassment while in the role, discuss with HR and let them know you if you worry about retaliation.
What market are you in and are you seeking on-site, hybrid or remote roles .
Let me know and you can send your resume to me if you are amenable to it
gongerhaus5@gmail.com
AnonymousMay 11,2023 at 2:53AM UTC
NEVER GO TO HR is my advice and this comes from experience
Liz MilneMay 11,2023 at 5:18AM UTC
Personally, I would call her out. "You expect me to do research for you when you have been nothing but obstructive and unkind during my tenure here and now are behind my dismissal? Do your own damn research, I have to find a new way to pay my bills."
But that's just me, maybe!
AnonymousMay 11,2023 at 2:45PM UTC
I would say hand it to the ceo when you leave not to her. Along with a brag list of all work you had done and a thank you note. She can chase it if she really needs it and she will have to explain why she needs it.
AnonymousMay 14,2023 at 12:24PM UTC
I would do the best I can but definitely focus on job hunting. I also had to do a final "in class" assignment on my next to last week on the job- writing up a job description so the new employee to be hired for my position knows what to do. I thought it was BS and unfair exit hazing but did it so they couldn't find a way to hold my last paycheck or do anything else vindictive claiming I was insubordinate/unhelpful; which is a joke since SO many previous employees got away with ghosting their jobs after giving two weeks' notice.
BTW, your CEO is an enabler- they believed whatever the woman who was sabotaging you said about you and didn't correct her in how she treated you. So don't do this project out of loyalty, do it out of self-preservation for your career. Hope this helps and good luck!