Source of Stress Discovered...

It's 1:20 in the morning, and it finally dawned on me why I have had a problem sleeping and why I have been miserable for the past week or so, and I realized that it is something that I've been suppressing and I should just let it out. And what better place to do it inconspicously than in my harmless knitting weblog? There are references to knitting, by the way, so I guess it can be posted in my blog, so here goes:

My work, although done with good intentions, is overseen by an absolute Tyrant of a Boss (hereafter known as TOAB.) Just about everyone who is on the same level as I am justifies her bossiness and bullying as "motherly behavior" and excuses it as such. I think I should also point out that my fellow managers are all male, and that I am the only female. Lately I have been coming into work, feeling like I am walking on eggshells. That is the best and honest way that I can describe my work situation. And guess what? That TERRIFIES me. I know, I know, the average work environment is fraught with unhappiness at times, and I try to recall the times when work has gone smooth, without drama and being stress free. But those days are so few and far in between. Not a day goes by without outbursts and unhappy workers who threaten to quit and I have to put out fires and excuse my TOAB. As you can imagine, my workplace has an extraordinarily high turnover rate.

The problem is, now it is affecting me. I am losing sleep. I am certainly not feeling the way I did when I took the photo that sits up on the right sidebar. I am interested in dating someone but I catch myself holding back because I see this development as a stressor instead of a possible positive experience in my life.

Because I am an Aries, my first instinct is to fight this battle. But TOAB, was one of the first employees of my company, and don't get me wrong, she is a great administrator. It's her people skills that need work. She is a bully, and I never thought I'd repeat this, but truly abrasive. To top it off, she has these mood swings, and frankly I am almost at my wit's end. I'm beginning to think I need to look for another job. Any thoughts out there would greatly be appreciated.

By the way, she thought it was a riot that I knit on the train, and thinks knitters have no life. It is quite apparent that she is clueless, and if my mother were alive today, she'd say TOAB was just jealous of me. And then my mother would try to run her over with her car.

Comments

[Kae]

I would be with your mother (and you of course). I have a big car. Where do I need to aim it?

If the job is causing you this kind of stress, then I would consider finding a new job. With any job there is the possibility of abrasiveness, etc in the workplace, but you're walking the thin line of getting an ulcer, stress related high blood pressure, etc... and you need to take care of *you*. Let her take care of herself, including dealing with her own problems that she causes.

*hugs*

[Eilene]

Your mother is always right. She's jealous! That's what my mom always says when someone is mean to me or puts me dowm. It makes them feel better! :-)

[Nathania]

I think I worked for this woman once. She made my co-worker, a really nice guy, by the way, cry on more than one occasion. I finally quit out of frustration, but was vindicated six months later when they fired her for mistreating (read: verbally abusing) employees. Perhaps it is time that you look for another situation. No one should have to walk on eggshells for fear of being bullied by their boss.

[Li_B]

I worked for a bully once. Leave while you are still mentally healthy!
Li

[Amie]

I've worked for someone like that (who threatened to fire me on a bi-weekly basis, but couldn't because I'm too good) and I've worked with psychos. Lost sleep over many a job, and I'm desparately seeking one that doesn't cause that reaction.

I feel your pain.

[Colette]

I worked with that women once - tell me does she still eat sardine sandwiches that stink up the office too? If at all possible, find yourself a new job - otherwise you will end up with an ulcer and you will find you are slowly turning into a mean, grouchy, b#$%&y unhappy... well her!