work issues, extremely stressed

mburke · Post by **mburke** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:12 am

I am a receptionist and lately i have been really stressed out. I called off work 2 days in a row stating i am sick, but really not. I am sick with anxiety. I dont want to go back to work and face this person that makes me feel like dirt. She is always in my business, she makes little comments like, why dont you slit your wrists, and why dont you hold your bowels some more. she relieves me for restroom breaks but she gets in my business while i am in there. It makes me feel on edge. its such a small co. i work at that the human resource department is worthless. There really isnt a human resources dept. I want 2 quit. this job is making me sick. I know i could react differently, but its hard to be assertive when the way she states her comments are so direct but "indirect" at the same time. I dont really care for the job 2 much, but there are bills to pay and i am searching. i dont know if i should just quit. should i tell her how i feel ?? i have been holding my feelings in and it hurts emotionally. I dont know how i should state it. she hasnt said anything in a few weeks, but her words play like a tape recorder over and over in my head. It hurts me that i let her get away with saying those things about me. she is really jealous. I did call her a phycho to her face when she said slit your wrists. Part of me feels she accessed my medical records to have information on my medical records such as IBS and depression to fuel her 'NASTY comments. I am concerned w/ hippa laws. what would you do? someone help me? because i am thinking myself crzy over this. I keep wondering what i am going to say when i go back to work. Why i was "sick" and what not....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:20 am

Carry a small MP3 recording device. Make sure she sees it before she talks to you. Turn it on at that point. Trust me, she'll shut up after that. The last thing this company wants is a harassment suit.

Fire Island · Post by **Fire Island** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:20 am

Burke,
I completely understand what you are saying. All it takes is one little statement and it's stuck in my head forever. I have a guy that I'm crazy about but he told me I'm crazy. Wow try to get that out of your head. I didn't want to say anything to face to face because I knew I would panic. So I wrote him a letter and told him everything I thought about him. It felt great to say it. Then I never sent it. I just crumpled it up and threw it away. But now when I see him I think of that letter and giggle. I still get the butterflies and the sweating but oh well! Hope this helps.
Julie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:31 am

thanks i just did this and i feel a hell of a lot better. i shredded right up. a weight off my shoulders is gone

ronda stephens · Post by **ronda stephens** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:52 am

That is horrible that you have to deal with something like that at work. She must be very insecure about herself. Next time she says something, try a little in your face humor. EX: Why don't you slit your wrists? Reply with--You first!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:12 pm

This person is WAY out of line!! I can't believe she would say things like that! That is DEFINITELY harrassment!! I like the idea of a recording device! Keep looking for a better job and get out of there! I wouldn't advise just quitting with out something new in the works...the stress of no income would be very difficult and may force you take another job you may not like.

Good Luck! And just remember, what goes around comes around..this girl must be VERY insecure..be thankful you are not miserable like she obviously is!

stargazer · Post by **stargazer** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:48 am

Fromsomeone who used to work in HR - this definitely constitutes "hostile work environment". Law suits have been wonin favor of the harrassed employee for less than what she says to you. It is inexcuseable and unacceptable and if HR won't do anything about it - I'd have to quit.

Being a receptionist is a stressful job on it's own (my first "real" job was as one - everyone takes out theri frustration on the person at the desk or who answers the phone!!

)...you don't need that junk to complicate matters.

You deserve better. And your co-worker deserves a pink slip. Serious.

Blessings,
Dawn

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:05 pm

Can't you tell her supervisor about it? This behavior is unacceptable.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:16 pm

I am curious as to whatever happened.

rose_thorn98 · Post by **rose_thorn98** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:16 am

Hi SCDon...I don't believe we've ever exchanged entries here...but I've read several of yours and can SO relate to so many issues that you've written on...curious to hear how your job search is coming along? I too am without employment; had worked for the same company for 13+ years (7 of them as a part time employee, so that I could be home for my kiddos)...all of a sudden "business needs" required that my position be held by someone working full time hours...I still have kiddos that require my time and attention, so I've opted out of my "paid job" to be a full time, stay at home Mommy (at least for the summer)! The thought of (I know I'm making progress with this program, 'cause just as I typed the start of this thought, I KNEW it was a wrong/negative way of thinking...progress! but I'll finish my thought and then work on ways of turning it to a positive!) going on job searches and (hopefully) interviews is an anxiety-provoking venture for me! But I KNOW, this too will pass and God will guide my steps to a job that will once again "fit" my family life...I was SO blessed for the past 7 years to have had the best of both worlds...working outside the home for a portion of the day, while still being able to be home for my family too! Very blessed!
Anyway...hope you're doing well and that you too will find just the right job at just the right time! Take good care!