I Am Being Bullied At Work
A few months ago, I was accepted into a job placement & training program. I was thrilled beyond words because my husband had lost his job and we needed a source of income. I simply wanted to better myself, not to turn myself into an easy target for bullies.
I started with my rose-colored glasses firmly on, and greatly enjoyed interacting with my fellow trainees. Shortly after, I started noticing that some of the younger women would mock my mannerisms, way of talking and any praise I would receive from our instructor; always behind my back and when they thought I couldn't hear them. A clique of "mean girls" formed. Perhaps the learning/school environment caused them to revert to childish behaviour, or perhaps that's just who they truly are. I chose to pretend I did not see this happening around me, but it still hurt me deeply.
I enjoyed learning and participating in class, that is until I overheard them making jokes about it. During computer lab they would text and e-mail each other to make fun of me. They would make a point of talking about TV shows that featured violent women and how much they admire them, so I became concern for my personal safety. I wanted to quit the program but my wonderful husband (who is not fully aware of everything, as I am deeply embarrassed about the whole ordeal) encouraged me to continue and graduate.
One day, one of the gals decided to ridicule me during class, then all the rest decided to join in with lies, fabrications and accusations. The life-skills instructor, who I suspect to be a former-bully herself, did nothing. Having to go in to training became an emotionally draining experience. The women would gather outside of the building whispering and pointing at me before and after our day. They became even bitchier and nastier than before, yet somehow managed to turn me into the bad guy. I'm a fairly quiet and reserved person, and I suspect that my lack of outwardly reaction caused them to attack much more fiercely. I did not know what to do, I just knew I wanted nothing to do with all the drama, but they would not budge. It was as if they were enjoying the attention they were receiving from the staff by pretending to be victims while emotionally attacking, butchering and destroying me.
These women have made me feel so bad that I've become depressed, withdrawn and came incredibly close to harming myself. Had I not finally opened up to a therapist, I probably would be dead by now. Unfortunately, I have 4 more months of this abuse. I need the life-changing skills and work experience the program offers. The staff has allowed this behavior to continue without any consequences, so I have no hope for help. I've actually felt like I was chastised and victimized further by them.
I started with my rose-colored glasses firmly on, and greatly enjoyed interacting with my fellow trainees. Shortly after, I started noticing that some of the younger women would mock my mannerisms, way of talking and any praise I would receive from our instructor; always behind my back and when they thought I couldn't hear them. A clique of "mean girls" formed. Perhaps the learning/school environment caused them to revert to childish behaviour, or perhaps that's just who they truly are. I chose to pretend I did not see this happening around me, but it still hurt me deeply.
I enjoyed learning and participating in class, that is until I overheard them making jokes about it. During computer lab they would text and e-mail each other to make fun of me. They would make a point of talking about TV shows that featured violent women and how much they admire them, so I became concern for my personal safety. I wanted to quit the program but my wonderful husband (who is not fully aware of everything, as I am deeply embarrassed about the whole ordeal) encouraged me to continue and graduate.
One day, one of the gals decided to ridicule me during class, then all the rest decided to join in with lies, fabrications and accusations. The life-skills instructor, who I suspect to be a former-bully herself, did nothing. Having to go in to training became an emotionally draining experience. The women would gather outside of the building whispering and pointing at me before and after our day. They became even bitchier and nastier than before, yet somehow managed to turn me into the bad guy. I'm a fairly quiet and reserved person, and I suspect that my lack of outwardly reaction caused them to attack much more fiercely. I did not know what to do, I just knew I wanted nothing to do with all the drama, but they would not budge. It was as if they were enjoying the attention they were receiving from the staff by pretending to be victims while emotionally attacking, butchering and destroying me.
These women have made me feel so bad that I've become depressed, withdrawn and came incredibly close to harming myself. Had I not finally opened up to a therapist, I probably would be dead by now. Unfortunately, I have 4 more months of this abuse. I need the life-changing skills and work experience the program offers. The staff has allowed this behavior to continue without any consequences, so I have no hope for help. I've actually felt like I was chastised and victimized further by them.
By:
Tammyux
Age:
31-35
9
responses
