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Is this odd? Work related rant?

Kat

Kat

Seeking wine/shopping/teeth brushing support group
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Oct 1, 2010
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So I have this job that really wanted me... the boss has now switched offices and there's a new sheriff in town. She's a 40 something ADHD woman with no off switch. Suddenly, I am in trouble for everything.

Today, I was called into the office and told I was late 7 times in the past 3 months and missed work 3 times and that was grounds for termination but since they really were impressed with my skill set, they weren't going to write me up but that I would get a ZERO on attendance on my evaluation.

I'm like ??? What?

So I go back and review, I've been late TWICE... and one additional time where I requested permission to come in 30 minutes late. I was sick three times... TWO of which were last Friday and yesterday, both because I was in a car accident and I had a doctor's order from the ER to stay home at least three days but that my recovery could take 1 week to 4 months.

So doctor's note and all, they still count that as an occurrence?!

Am I totally unreasonable to think this is ridiculous? I was in a freakin' car accident and it was only because I had taken a paycheck to another employee and met her near the Wal-Mart so she didn't have to drive the extra 15 minutes. I'd have never been where I was had I just said no.

They are also counting against me the tardy that I received advanced permission to be late.

I was told to "watch my back" and document everything once my boss (who's the one who really wanted me) switched offices. I just am trying to make sense of if this is normal and whether or not I should even try to stay. I'm thinking essentially, I am taking pain pills right now to even function at work.
 
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I don't have enough office experience to have an opinion on whether it's normal or not, but I just wanted to say I'm sorry about the car accident! ((hugs))
 
I would be very concerned. Is there an HR department in your office? If so, I would definitely write up a response to the charges so that your side of the issues is documented. I agree that it's pretty crazy for them to count your tardy when it was prearranged and your absence when you have a doctor's note. It sounds really stressful there. So sorry! Hang in there.
 
I am totally a documenter. I would definitely keep track of everything. I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this, especially after having an accident.

The sad thing is that if she is a bully, which it sounds like she is, there probably won't be any change. Or if things do change, it will take forever. I left my last job because of a woman who just decided that she had it out for me because I was going to school in my personal time. It took several people leaving, including me with a documentation-filled exit interview, before they demoted her. It is just like people don't know how to handle awful supervisors, which seems ridiculous, but it is true.

Good luck with it all and keep us posted. :( So sorry.
 
Oh I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this Kat. I agree with Laura and Kim and I would document a response and copy her and HR. Include your doctor's note. I can't believe she would complain about you missing work after you were in an accident. Other than that you were out 1 day in three months? Seems pretty normal to me.

I think I would also start to keep track on a daily basis when you arrived to work, when you left for the day, your absences, etc and make sure you are vigilant about requesting absences in advance and via e-mail so you have proof of it.

I hope she lightens up a bit.
 
I don't know for sure, but it doesn't sound normal to me. It sounds like a mean bully of a boss. I would definitely start documenting everything whenever you are late or miss work so you have it all in record. And definitely talk to HR with a response to what happened. Sounds like a terrible situation! :(
 
This sounds ridiculous. I would start looking for another job and make sure you keep good records. Sounds like litigation just waiting to happen.
 
SHE sounds odd, and is behaving like a baby butt-wipe, trying to smear you with her own crap. Lots of good advice here. I dunno if you read Ask Amy on Slate, but there was a recent letter about another bad boss--who actually pants-ed someone's fellow employee.
 
Things got worse today... I gave my new boss proof that one tardy was pre-approved (a scheduled absence that doesn't count against you)... she said it still counted. She had me at three tardies (much better than 7, but only two were accurate)... and she up'd my absences to 6. 3 of them were pre-approved as well... 2 related to a car accident with a doctor's note, and one day I was just sick.

I reiterated about the approvals I had gotten from the previous boss and she said they still count against me. I said I was NOT okay with that and I wanted to file a grievance and that I needed to call my husband to discuss what I would need to do (I almost quit on the spot I was THAT ****ed).

I told her I wanted to talk to the HR guy who hired me on and when I picked up the phone to dial it, she dialed it first and put him on hold so I couldn't get through. I went down the hall to talk to my old boss on the phone about the issue but couldn't reach her.

I came back and called HR and was specifically told that these "talks" should have never happened. With what I said, I had 2 tardies and 3 absences (they are still counting the car accident against me despite the note)... he said that wouldn't have warranted a conversation. He said you can't help being in a car accident. He flat out told me "Yvonne was mistaken"... (my boss)... I was so angry and fighting tears the whole call. I almost lost it when I talked to him about how much I gave up to come to this company and take this job. He and my boss's boss both said how I have enough skill with the patients that I could teach others how to give good patient service. Everyone else in that office is just plain rude and talk bad about patients who annoy them.

Anyway, it caused enough stress to make me sick tonight and I have pain all down my neck and back from the accident that seems to have gotten worse maybe b/c the tension??? I don't know. I'm still reading through the responses here but you guys are just awesome... I feel really reassured that I am not being a spoiled diva-ish employee... I want to work, improve patient care and BE there, but life happens and if they can't get over that, they can jump in the lake.

I'm already looking for another job... I really hope I can find something 10x better!!! *sigh....
 
javamonster said:
SHE sounds odd, and is behaving like a baby butt-wipe, trying to smear you with her own crap. Lots of good advice here. I dunno if you read Ask Amy on Slate, but there was a recent letter about another bad boss--who actually pants-ed someone's fellow employee.
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I gotta look up this Ask Amy person, but OH do I ever love your baby butt wipe comment, that is SO freaking true. I know I am caught in the middle and because I've been successful otherwise and can do some of the job better than people who've been there for a while, I'm a threat and they are looking for an excuse to give me hell.

The doctor who's there the most actually asked me to do her schedule... b/c I do it better than her OWN assistant!
 
I now christen your new boss The Asshat. There are other terms more accurate in strength, but I'm honestly not sure how far the forum will allow me to go, and of course, I wouldn't want to make our husbands' ears glow red, should they ever read the forum here.

My personal opinion is yes, you are experiencing more pain triggered by the tension created by The Asshat. If you're tensing up, that's probably aggravating the soft tissue injury (if that's what mostly had). Take some deep breaths, and if you have one handy, punch a pillow. Pin a drawing of her to it if it helps. In the meantime, feel better, okay?
 
I'm really sorry all this is going on Kat! Everyone has given you really good advice! I just want to make a quick comment about your injuries from the accident - you should be a little careful about talking too much about how all this work stress is making your back and neck hurt more. If that gets documented in your medical records, that could hurt any kind of settlement or lawsuit over the car accident. They'll say that the accident was minor, and it was the stress from work that caused your pain. And then you won't get compensated like you should for the accident. Just something to keep in mind :)
 
That is ridiculous. Absolutely a company can NOT hold an absence against you if you have a medical excuse in writing from a doctor. Companies can get into big trouble if they ever let someone go over a medical reason. Not that that's exactly what's happening here, but think of a doctor's note as a get out of jail free card. That said, there will be some sort of policy in place. Are you able to access company policies? Maybe they gave you a handbook when you started? Even so, at most companies, a person's job should be held for "x" amount of time if they are on medical leave before the company can take away the position. And with your very small amount of absences that really doesn't qualify. Absolutely take notes, document and get educated on the policies. Even if you leave the company, make sure you're covered anyways. You never know if they make want to take away vacation pay, etc after the fact. And a lot of places require you to fulfill your entire two week notice in order to receive your due vacation pay too. Just FYI.

On another note, she just sounds like a bully! I have other choice words, none of which are appropriate haha. I hate when people who are like this are put into leadership roles. They want to assert their authority, but really a please and a thank you and good job go a long way! When someone is kind and able to compromise with their employees, it makes for a much better working relationship and work experience. People like her don't get that and never will. I'm sorry you've had to deal with her!
 
Kat said:
I gotta look up this Ask Amy person, but OH do I ever love your baby butt wipe comment, that is SO freaking true. I know I am caught in the middle and because I've been successful otherwise and can do some of the job better than people who've been there for a while, I'm a threat and they are looking for an excuse to give me hell.

The doctor who's there the most actually asked me to do her schedule... b/c I do it better than her OWN assistant!
Click to expand...

Kat, I made a mistake--the advice columnist at Slate is Dear Prudence. I'm an advice column junkie, and I got mixed up. Ask Amy is different columnist based in a Chicago newspaper.
 
javamonster said:
Kat, I made a mistake--the advice columnist at Slate is Dear Prudence. I'm an advice column junkie, and I got mixed up. Ask Amy is different columnist based in a Chicago newspaper.
Click to expand...
I don't normally read those but I'm really curious now... :)
 
mrs2a50 said:
I'm really sorry all this is going on Kat! Everyone has given you really good advice! I just want to make a quick comment about your injuries from the accident - you should be a little careful about talking too much about how all this work stress is making your back and neck hurt more. If that gets documented in your medical records, that could hurt any kind of settlement or lawsuit over the car accident. They'll say that the accident was minor, and it was the stress from work that caused your pain. And then you won't get compensated like you should for the accident. Just something to keep in mind :)
Click to expand...

That's great advice! Thanks!
 
I am absolutely dreading going to work tomorrow... I'm determined to go in and do my job and hopefully all this will just be gone with the wind. I'm prepared as I can be. I really do need to follow up with a doctor soon, I'm not sure how I'm going to do that exactly but my back is still in terrible shape. I don't seem to be improving much. I've started job hunting already though. Maybe something awesome will come up and I can go ahead and quit, take some time to heal, and get to work with a more reputable company.
 
Were you on the clock delivering the paycheck when you got in the accident? Or just doing that on your own time?
 
wow I'm sorry this is happening to you Kat. She sounds like a major cow and I hope you can find a way to fix things there or move on soon.
 
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