For the last 1.5 years, my boss has bullied me, and now I am going to HR about it.

The backstory:

She has harshly berated me when I've made mistakes and is overly corrective and harsh with her feedback. She has alienated me from smaller team dynamics, and even dropped me from her Instagram account. She has given credit for my work to a colleague, done in writing. She micromanages my written communications, making me afraid to take initiative or to communicate. She talks negatively about me to teammates, which comes back to me in vague yet obvious ways and I pick up on it.

She has singled me out and is targeting me, playing favorites with my two other teammates. I honestly believe it's because she's envious and threatened by me. She is not bright, and I can can pick up new skills and learn new software platforms easily whereas she struggles a LOT and is afraid of new software.

So, after following ALL appropriate avenues to address the issues, I am now approaching HR.

The approaches I've taken have involved directly addressing the issues with her on three separate occasions, including giving her "radical candor" feedback on her management style, as she recently requested. I have also brought the issues forward to her boss, and next, to his boss, our departmental senior-level management.

The straw that broke the camel's back?

This week in a global call with 15 team members who do not understand the work I do or its value and who have yet to embrace my work, my boss communicated openly that the website recommendations I make are "boring", citing two exact examples of my own work. She devalued my work and recommendations in front of this whole group. Coincidentally, my recommendations just happen to emulate our #1 competitor.

After exhausting all the options, this last stunt was the final straw that pushed me over the edge, helping me to make the decision to approach Human Resources to learn about the company's conflict resolution process.

When I had first approached my Dept Director about the issue, that was his recommendation: to approach HR as a next step.

I feel I have no choice at this stage. I am not willing or ready to look for another job and leave. I have not had stable work for 7 years, and I finally found a stable company and position. I sure as hell am not going to allow this biatch to push me out of a good job, after fighting for 7 very long years to land a good job, in a good company.

I know what you're going to say: HR is NOT the employee's friend. HR is there to protect the company's interests.

Yes, I understand that. However, I have been highly successful in the past addressing managerial problems by approaching HR. I also realize that doesn't mean it will work this time around.

I am prepared for the possibility that I may need to leave my job. But I will not be ready to look for a new job until the Fall. I want to enjoy my summer. And that means staying where I am.

And I don't believe they can fire me - that would be wrongful termination, and I could likely sue the company. I had a positive annual review, submitted to HR in writing, I am doing well at work, and was awarded the maximum bonus this year.

So, I am going to HR and I used ChatGPT to compose my letter very professionally, carefully, and thoughtfully.

One thing I ask: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not give me negative feedback about this action I am taking. I am looking for supportive replies ONLY. Going to HR CAN work out. I am crossing my fingers. I have asked HR for a private confidential meeting so that I can learn about process and the options available.

Ultimately, this undermining and bullying BS has got to STOP. And the one way at this point that could still work is to instigate a formal intervention. I truly feel I have no choice but to pursue this action as my next step.

UGHHH. I have dealt with too many horrible bosses over the years, so here we go again. I wish bullying was illegal in my state. Then I could sue her.