Hello to everyone! I was sure to introduce myself in the New Member forum before I attempted a discussion elsewhere, but this is my first detailed post, so I just wanted to say hello!

I've been working at a fast-paced sit-down restaurant for almost 2 years. My background is in retail, food service, and human services. I left my human services job almost 2 years ago because my immediate manager was a bully whose insults ranged from professional to personal issues. I was also in an extremely abusive relationship, which contributed to my decision to leave.

At my current job, I started off as a dishwasher because...I didn't want to think. I wanted to do something repetitive and simple in an effort to feel like I could gain some of myself back. After suffering a rather serious injury on the job, I began training to be a cook and have been doing that ever since. I'm considered a "veteran" cook now, though there are certainly days when I feel like it could be my first day. Since last February, I've learned I have fibromyalgia (chronic pain, chronic fatigue), the beginnings of arthritis in my hands, and a lot of depression-related stuff that is being treated with medication and therapy. I was deeply miserable for months before I knew the extent of what was going on. Last October, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and, shortly thereafter, I was diagnosed with cervical precancer. Through all of this, I showed up to work every day and did the best work I could under the circumstances.

We have one General Manager and five Assistant Managers. One of the Assistants is a bully. She's great at the nuts and bolts of her job, but her people skills are abysmal. I've let the GM know that I feel this Assistant simply hates me due to the way she talks to me. I think about leaving on a daily basis largely because of her. But there's a part of me that loves the people I work with and derives some pleasure from the type of work I do. I'm not passionate about food (my career goal is to work with animals), so I know I won't be there forever. I can't afford to quit the job without a back-up plan because others depend on me financially. Ultimately, I want out but I want it to be for the right reasons and I need to be able to survive the bullying until a more appropriate job comes along.

I'd love to hear any tips for dealing with a workplace bully that the community may be able to offer. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this.