[toughbird]

I have been working in my current job for two years now. I left for two months to start a new job. However, I found the new job – it was a very toxic environment. Management talking about other staffs confidentiality in the office. Gossiping about others. I was still covering overtime shifts for my old workplace via going over my work hours resulting into working 58 hours per week. Which clearly showed I was dedicated to my old workplace. Two months into the new job. So I returned back to my old job.

The new job's management are working closely with my old management. So the link is there.

However, since I have returned back to my old job. I have found my old management have changed and in fact I have experienced workplace bullying.

On my first week of returning back to my old job. I noticed my Team Leader was always on the phone having conversations with the manager of the project that I just left. Some of these conversations were outside away from me.

My current Team Leader chose to put me on weekends working with another colleague whom I don't get on well with. So I informed I was feeling anxious about this and we met for a meeting.

I was absolutely shocked because what I turned to her for support and instead experienced in that meeting – was bullying. It clearly showed the bitterness and anger that was coming from the manager of the project that I just left from.

Some of the bullying I experienced in the meeting:

“That I should speak to my GP and seek counselling” after I explained that I was feeling anxious about working with another member of staff on weekends and working alone on same shifts as well after I explained and provided examples on why I was feeling uncomfortable working with the other staff”

“Team Leader finds me patronizing towards another member of staff ”

“I jump from job to job too quickly”

“Why didn’t I notify the team leader first before the service manager on wanting to apply for the job that I just left”

“Team Leader is very surprised to see me come back to the project. Most people get at least 18 to 24 months experience and then move on. I’m coming up to being here for two years now. Team Leader is very surprised to see me back here. When I left, it was time for me to move on. What can I develop in the job now that I have returned”

“I should move on to gain further different experience within other services within the work company”

Team Leader informed me that she and another member of staff had agreed tension between I and previous SW had disappeared after I left the service”
“I was using the old office at lot when working under the new service instead of working at the new office”

A week later I sent an email on what happened and copied her manager above her into it. I requested on why she said those things. She replied back saying she will talk to me in Supervision. This was four weeks ago.

In conclusion, I came to her seeking support as my Team Leader but since the meeting, I have felt low, intimidated and unwanted on the team.

The manager above her never replied nor did anything about it.

A week later, I requested via email to meet with my manager for Supervision. Again I copied in her manager so she is aware of it. We currently had two weeks remaining of the rota. The reply I got back was – she is waiting for the September rota to come out as she and I won't be seeing much of each other during the next two weeks.

I looked at her diary and she has nothing planned. There is plenty of time to meet with me. She has met with other staffs for supervision and I'm the only person who she hasn't met with. Again the manager above her has seen my requests and has done nothing.

My Team Leader has been avoiding me as much as possible. I have maintained my professionalism and doing my job.

I have joined unison but they say they can't offer advice as it's an on-going issue which started before I joined.

The meeting took place on 13/08/18. I have requested for a follow up meeting. I have been denied and ignored. The manager above her has done nothing. No means of trying to resolve this issue.

I feel I have done a lot to help the service when they needed it. Now I won't do any more cover and I'm looking for another job. But then I feel why should I leave when I fought so hard for the project.

Anyone got any advice please?

[IceCreamKid]

I'm no expert, but I will offer what I have experienced and observed in my many years in the workforce.

It all comes down to who has the power. If you have a powerful ally, then usually just about anything can be resolved. But if you do not--best to pack your bags and move on.

It seems to me the Team Leader has told you quite plainly to move on. Is it fair? No. But nothing in the workplace is fair, in my opinion. What I have seen your Team Leader say to you (what you report here) would most likely not be considered bullying. Now, that said, yes, some people in supervision will say even the most mild comment in such a sneering tone, you know they are being hostile--but to report what they said? No way to prove their delivery was hostile even if you record it; if a company wants to ignore the tone, they will. If she says "most people stay 18 months" she could always claim she was merely stating a fact. She could claim by saying "move on to gain further different experience within other services within the work company" <-- she is offering a solution for you to benefit from other services.

While you are looking for another job, is there a way for you take her up on moving inside the company? You could say that upon reflection, you like that idea and how can she help facilitate your move within the company? She may refuse to help you with some jacked up excuse; so whatever mechanism there is where you work to move you should take advantage of--while you are looking for another job.

It's hard to show ill intent if there are two or more people who back each other up: your Team Leader and the manager she was talking to on the phone. Again, I know it isn't fair. I believe they will eventually reap what they are sowing, though.

And I would go to my GP and seek counseling and make sure they know that you did.

The point is, that if you follow all these things she told you to do--while you are looking for another job--she can't later say you ignored what she said to do; she can't claim you are not interested in "doing better."

I hope this helps.