© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
I feel trapped in a toxic workplace
I've been working as a receptionist in a small vet clinic for 2 months now and it's the worst job I've ever had. I graduated in May with an AAS in animal science, and got this job as a receptionist because of the minimal options due to covid-19. I was told at the beginning that the doctor is bad at communication and often makes the techs feel/look like idiots and will never show any appreciation.
I saw one of the girls cry at least everyday. I was never really trained to do very much, and if I got taught something it was probably because I was in trouble for not doing or doing it wrong first. I noticed pretty quickly that I was on my own for learning a lot of stuff, and of course I continued to get in trouble.
Even when I was doing something the way I was told by one person, I would probably be yelled at by someone else because it was wrong.
The office is all women and it might as well be a high school locker room because when one girl has the day off she is absolutely the number 1 discussion topic for the day, the good, the bad and the absolutely no ones business.
The doctor called me and the other receptionist my age (who had been there for 3 years) "slutty looking" and we were told to cover our cleavage and no jeans, but The other receptionists who are the doctors age (50s-60s) wear jeans daily, and their shirts are just as low but their body shapes don't show cleavage in the same style shirts. Being told to dress more professionally is fine but the words used are unnecessary and I was never given a dress code of any kind. I also think its interesting that nothing was said until 6 weeks after I had been working there.
I cry a lot, I think about walking out everyday. But instead I sit there and work through my lunch and try to get everything done and clock out on time but stay late and am still criticized everyday for my lack of effort and work ethic, and I still can't get everything done and even on my day off I'm trying to figure out what I'll be yelled at for tomorrow.
I'm miserable but I can't imagine I'm qualified for anything better, and if I can't do this, then I'm not sure I can do anything. My confidence is gone, I'm pretty convinced that I know nothing and I'm terrified to put in 2 weeks notice and have things get worse for 2 weeks.
I've been thinking about going back to school but I'll be 30 next year and I can't imagine how I would pay for it or even what I would want to do. I make barely over minimum wage and I'm not convinced that any of this is worth it.
Anonymous
07/19/21 at 1:43AM UTC
Yes I agree, females are terrible
Flour
I worked it out
264
09/08/20 at 3:27PM UTC (Edited)
Find another vet to work at? If this is what you love, you need to find the clinic that cares the same way you do, proactive in guiding and training you).
I also was a receptionist at a mom and pop veterinary clinic. I would have liked the job, but they felt I was too boisterous, but gave me a key to the store, and then one day (I drove to work everyday telling myself "it's a new day, it will be a great day") I came in, sat down waiting to clock in, then my boss came in (all female group as well, aside for the doctor). I said "I think I have to quit". She squinted her eyes and said "what do you need from me?" I said "nothing, I guess I need to go see my doctor, I think I am in the middle of a nervous breakdown".
So basically after 3 months, I quit. I had no life outside of work. I was so exhausted on days off, that anything I did, were quickly forgotten as soon as I went back to work. My doctor sent me to a therapist, she wasn't a good fit for me at all, but it was decided that I just didn't like the job for some reason. We never figured out why I felt like "the sky was falling". I loved the actual job, but the owner always made me feel nervous like I was going to make a mistake, and that doom and gloom sitting on top of you for some unknown reason by the owner (they probably had problems outside of work and it just oozed out as stress at work about how we all acted) just makes working too tricky. Jobs that do not have written guidelines to follow are just not easy places to work (lack of training, nothing to refer to). Don't waste your life like I did, it's great to put up with a job to learn it, but when the bad stuff just piles on, it is time to put out new work feelers, and to give yourself a gracious leave by giving the current boss a great reason for leaving that places no fault on them.
We did have a dress code, we wore scrubs. On Fridays we were allowed to wear a clinic shirt and jeans. I never did because they never gave me a shirt, and the scrubs catch cleaners and other bodily fluids, I didn't want that on my street clothes!
It was a long day as well because my unpaid lunch break was an hour and a half, and to drive home was 30 minutes each way, so I had to stay in town to conserve gas (I was the only one working for 3 years), luckily I used to volunteer at a thrift store that supported our houseless community, so I'd spend my lunch eating and volunteering there on every work day!
A year later I was told of a cook job at the same organization! I got to work that job this year for 6 months until my back gave out. Now we are trying to get a food truck together so I can cook when the back gets better!
Genevieve Davis
73
09/10/20 at 6:08AM UTC
It is remarkable how similar your experience was to mine. Overall it isn't the job itself that I don't like but I feel like I'm walking through a field of landmines and just waiting for something (or someone) to blow up. But in all honesty this isn't what I went to school for and it isn't what I want to do, most days I don't even touch an animal, today my boyfriend was asking if I had any interesting cases or interesting pets come in and I honestly couldn't remember a single pet I saw. I think that I expected to find a career in a more hands on capacity after graduation but there just isn't a lot of openings right now. I really appreciate your input, it's nice to hear someone else has had a similar experience.
Stacey DarlingAdmin Assistant in South Dakota
167
09/03/20 at 10:56PM UTC
I agree with the poster above-do NOT give your power away! It does sound horribly toxic, and while a person cannot control how or what others do or say, one does not have to accept unacceptable behavior. When someone starts to demean you or raise their voice to you, try not to be reactive, instead be responsive and tell them that is not acceptable, and do it in a modulated tone-simply stating the fact. Don't know what laws are where you're at, but where I'm located one stands a better chance of receiving unemployment benefits if fired. I really feel for you, and encourage you again to not let those toxic people determine how your day is going to be. And, most importantly, don't let them convince you that you're not intelligent!! Their lack of training, leading and guiding you is NOT your fault! Hang in there-you've got this!! There is great support here-great tips and ideas for almost any situation, thank you for sharing!
Anonymous
09/03/20 at 9:20PM UTC
DO NOT GIVE YOUR POWER AWAY!!!!! You have barely started your career!! You are certainly qualified to work in a job that you are not bullied! You can do this!! You can learn something new at anytime - I am 58 and just got 2 certifications over the summer. If I can do it YOU CAN do it!! You are working in a toxic environment. That's it. Don't let their toxins poison you . Go find another job (its just a temporary move) and then get a plan and work the plan. Don;t let jerks do this to you - YOU ARE BETTER THAN THAT!!!!!
Kate BonDurant, PMPCreative Strategist | Passionate Culture Builder
72
09/03/20 at 7:46PM UTC
I am so sorry you are in the middle of this covid nightmare. I've been in some pretty terrible places myself and your description sounds familiar and heartbreaking. I can try to layout some advice here but honestly I worry it won't really help you without a conversation to get to know you better. I would love to help you if even to just listen. If you are interested in a conversation please contact me off line. There is no excuse for companies to operate in such an unprofessional manner.
Tina Marie G. Administrative Assistant
112
09/03/20 at 7:34PM UTC
I am sorry to hear you are going through this! I would find out your states labor laws if you quit. I know it’s harder to collect when you leave a job. It sounds very toxic and I understand why you feel so defeated. I hope you can find another job soon or are able to leave this one. Sending prayers to you.
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.