Can anyone share their success stories of how standing up for themselves at work which led to them losing their job did not stop them from being successful in their career?

11 Comments

1. Melissa Boillot, SHRM - SCPFebruary 8,2023 at 1:36AM UTC

   I don't have any specific stories to share, but would love to send encouragement your way. If you were retaliated against after filing a complaint OR if your were working in a hostile work environment, you can file a claim with the EEOC to have them investigate. Best of luck and feel free to PM me if you want to connect.

2. Cindy GloverFebruary 8,2023 at 2:24AM UTC

   Truthfully?
   Stay away from toxic people (I realize that is easier said than done) but you’re not there to make friends. Of course you want to collaborate with your coworkers but be the person that your boss notices. Regarding the bullying or others taking credit for your work. I’d have taken care if that without involvement of HR or your boss. (Initially) but you have every right to discuss something you are uncomfortable with. If said person continues with the BS, ignore her (or them) - while she (they) are too busy talking about you and everyone else, stay focused in your position.Doubke check your company policies and compare it to your complaints , if it’s in your company policy, you have every right to go to HR.Should you decide to keep your distance, I would think your boss will notice that you do not participate with the idiots and appreciate your commitment and not interested in dumb asses (.sorry for the r language but this was a ally pisses me off. But I learned long ago by doing the above…within 6 months , I was promoted and they had to report to me. Hahaha!! their manager .. Boss will definitely observe that you stay away from the chit chat and also realize your worth ethic and all that goes with it. Put those people at the bottom ir your list and hold your head high with confidence. you don’t give a flipping (swear word) about them and what they are saying.Keep them below you (respectfully) iwho knows, you can end up being their manager and fire their asses ??? ??

3. AnonymousFebruary 9,2023 at 1:52PM UTC

   Several years ago I asked a question at work. Following that, life at work became difficult. I was bullied and ultimately fired. I had worked for that company for 18 years and that department for 6. I hired a lawyer and went through entire process. HR is on the side of the company, not the employee. The records were manipulated and I was made to look incompetent. I was stressed. I was only 3 years from qualifying for full retirement. I figured all this out later.

   I decided I needed to step back and decide if I would return to that setting if offered. NO. So then what? To make a long story short, I took 2 part time jobs. 1 I had done and was in an adjacent area. The latter job turned full time. Turned out I like the work. I am now nationally certified and work for a better company. My retirement plan is different now. The transition took several years. I'm happier now.

4. AnonymousFebruary 9,2023 at 2:00PM UTC

   It sounds like the company retaliated against you and you worked in an environment that you wouldn’t want t to be in. Depending on what the company’s policy’s state and how you went about “standing up for yourself” you could file an EEOC claim. But speak to someone first so it doesn’t backfire.

5. AnonymousFebruary 9,2023 at 2:39PM UTC

   Your success story is getting out of a toxic situation so you can free yourself up to focus on positive people and relationships. Insecure people will tend to overcompensate with primitive and tribal behaviors, removing any hint of a threat to secure their little niche of mediocrity, and this is becoming more of an issue in the workplace as people feel a lack of security. So choose a workplace with unassuming and kind people and that may be a different industry then where you’ve been focusing. Good luck!

6. AnonymousFebruary 9,2023 at 2:42PM UTC

   I can certainly empathize and relate to your story.

   It's really sad that people have to experience bullying and retaliation in the workplace. I've seen it too many times and I am a survivor, notice .......I didn't say "victim"? What I experienced was despicable and it went way up the corporate ladder. I spoke up and it went downhill. The offender did everything she could, to make my life miserable. I tried to post out but she blocked every attempt. Her boss knew and did absolutely nothing. I suffered with depression and severe insomnia. The offender thought that she got away with what she did, and wound up leaving and bragging that, she was offered another job somewhere else. But I know that the bible says " you will reap what you sow".

   I sued them for discrimination and bypassed the EEOC route. I documented EVERYTHING. They settled. I was out of work for one year, applying for so many jobs. I took that time off to take care of my mental health and did the things that brought me joy. I finally found a job with a large reputable company, working in the state that I wanted. It was extremely difficult but I did it. The lesson that I learned is that...... I will never ever allow "anyone" to mistreat me again. It's not worth it. I have no way of knowing if I will experience this again, but I'm not worried about it. Prayer and the power of positive thinking, were my coping mechanisms. Corporate America is.... what it is. You can't control what other people say and do, but you can decide, how you will react to someone else's ignorance. Start looking for another job and remove yourself from this toxic environment because you are WORTH IT.

7. AnonymousFebruary 9,2023 at 2:48PM UTC

   Lose that thought about white male - it's holding you back. I was bullied as a "lower class" person in my office (academic environment as an administrative specialist). I kept working to the best of my ability regardless of my background. Put your resume out there, network and do your best work regardless.

8. AnonymousFebruary 9,2023 at 5:24PM UTC

   There's a way to provide feedback and a way not to. If you review what happened perhaps you can take away and learn from it instead of beating yourself up. Make a list of what you need in your next role. Be honest about how you like to share workloads and to collaborate with others. When you start somewhere new sit down with your manager and let them know how you take feedback and how you need to let them know when you are struggling or see something out of order. It's actually even better if you broach this when interviewing. Stay positive and don't dwell on what happened at the last place, if you cannot speak openly about your strife it wasn't the right place for your talents. Strong women have to delicately decide what battles to fight and which ones really don't matter. Find your pulse, find what matters to you and don't look back.

9. AnonymousFebruary 9,2023 at 6:55PM UTC

   I get it, that happened to me 2020. I quit w/out a job to get away from manager. I was able to get another job 2 months later that i'm happy with. But I still have a little PTSD from old job. I wish i could have taken more time off. These things happen. My one consolation is that after I quit, almost the entire team quit and manager lost her position.

10. AnonymousFebruary 9,2023 at 11:23PM UTC

    First of all, I'm sorry to hear this was your experience. I am in a similar situation having been let go from a position after nearly 8 years just before the holiday. While there have been some really hard days, I can tell you that it gets better. I don't have a job yet, though it's become very clear to me over the past couple of weeks that the opportunities available to me now are limitless - way better than where I was at, and a true chance to soar.
    My words of advice would be to believe and trust in yourself. It's hard some days, I know. Lean on your network when it's tough. Also allow yourself to feel what you're feeling. There is a period of grief after job loss. Now I spend my weeks networking and reaching out to former colleagues who are plugging me in with their network. I even commented to a family member this week how clear it is that opportunities are out there, all if I'm willing to put in the work. I've decided I'm going to say "yes" to anything I don't have a good reason to say "no" to. I'm more excited by my future than I have been in years. Whatever you do, don't give up on yourself. You're special and an employer will recognize that and reward it as it's deserved.

11. Michele LaCagninaFebruary 10,2023 at 3:49AM UTC

    I had a similar experience a few years ago. I was really insecure about it for awhile and finally now, looking back, I feel good about it. I did the ethical thing in an unethical company and I'd do it all over again.

    Give it time to get over the bad feelings. You have plenty of opportunity, the job market is still hot, and honestly no one cares about those things if you don't. Best of luck to you.