#Bullying...and why we need to speak up
I have been quiet on my journal for a very long time. That stops NOW.
I am 42 years old.
I am a grateful recovering alcoholic.
I am a Girl Scout Troop Leader.
And I am the victim of a bully.
It started several months ago, right after being moved away from The Evil Empire(TEE). He was a bully, too, though his reign ended with the move to new offices with AD.
Then came new coworkers.
Two are my new bosses, and they are great...still are. I owe a great deal to them.
One coworker was hired between the move and installation of new bosses. That person originally worked for TEE. My AD and I welcomed that person with open arms. I even gave that person a tour of the new offices right after being hired before their move over. AD and I thought it would be a great fit.
Little did we know. Make that I didn't know (but I did have an uneasy feeling, so from the moment that person totally moved in, I did not speak to them outside if company email, which saved me greatly).
After the move to be office with us, that person changed, especially with me. My artwork got held up. I was being accused of not turning it in, despite there being an email trail to back it up with new bosses. Then came the 'I never saw this' verbals, followed by back/forth emails saying I didn't return revisions. If it weren't for my backing everything up via email timestamps, as I work for a company that backs up everything and shadowcopies all files, I would have had nothing on my side.
That person made my life miserable, both in and out of the office.
It got to the point I didn't want to come to work, because I knew that person would be there, making me feel small, showing one side of themselves to me verbally, all the while showing another to my coworkers and bosses.
I didn't say anything to anyone at work. I was still coming off the backlash of a false letter of reprimand by TEE. I was scared.
I was afraid of losing my job.
All of this came to a hilt on Friday, December 14, 2012.
While everyone was reeling from the national news of Newtown, I was being called up to Corporate and told the must devastating and shocking news: I am accused of threatening someone and their workplace.
ME - the person afraid of everything, despite 3 years of sobriety and unwavering faith - accused of threatening someone.
That person, the one whom I had shown all grace and manners in welcoming them, made the accusation.
After the shock wore off and I picked my eyeballs up from the floor, I was told by my Ops Director I had the full backing of the company.
I have been living in fear even more since that day, until a few hours ago.
That person is being moved far away from me.
Ok...that person is being moved back to Corporate, but that's about a 5-minute drive away. It counts.
I have learned a lot from this experience.
I learned when you follow the rules, even at the annoyance of others, it ALWAYS pays off.
I learned bosses are not bad people. They do have my back.
I learned to speak up.
There's more I learned as a result, but one of the biggest is to always listen to my friends...they hold me up and help me stand up, no matter what.
Bullying...it isn't just a thing kids do to other other kids. Adults do it, too.
I've been quiet for way too long. Time for me to speak up.
That person: You will no longer take my joy. I will not let you. Go away, bully.
Until next time...Take care of you. And NEVER, NEVER give up.
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