This blog is not an advice column, but I received an email about from one of my readers who wanted some feedback on what to do:
Dear TheCubicleChick-
I am appealing to you because I notice that you blog a lot about workplace issues and I feel comfortable coming to you for advice. I have been working for the same company for almost six years as a Customer Service Manager. You and your readers are very familiar with the company I work for, it is a Fortune 500 company that is all over the world. I used to like working for my company. I used to enjoy going to work every day and helping people. But now, I come to loathe the place I work for. Simply put, I hate my job!
I have been passed over for a promotion three times! I have been passed over by people who are incompetent and who cannot do their jobs. They have less seniority than me and make less than I do, which is why I feel I have been looked over. They are also young and don’t require health benefits like I do. I think they want me to quit.
Yesterday, when I was in the break room, I was called the N word. To my face. I was also threatened that if I went public with it or went to their manager, I would be fired. It is getting to the point that I call in sick sometimes because I don’t want to go to work.
What should I do?
Signed,
I Hate My Job With a Passion
Dear I Hate My Job With a Passion-
This is my first time addressing a reader like this for advice so excuse my lack of experience. Let me say that as a former Human Resources Manager, the comment that was made (the N word) needs to be reported to upper management as soon as possible. Sitting on this ruins your credibility. Did anyone else hear this exhange? Were there any other witnesses? A formal complaint needs to be filed. Please do so as soon as you read this.
Secondly, it is a bummer when you hate your job. I have been there, and I totally know where you are coming from. The best way to deal with this situation is to get out of the situation, that is, be proactive and look for another job. Sticking around until they fire you is not a way out. It is time that you branch out and look for something else, another job that will value you and what you bring to the table. The job situation out there currently is sticky. Do not quit your job until you have another one. But do not continue to be ridiculed and disrespected either. Follow the chain of command and report any incidents of discrimination and verbal abuse.
I wish you success on your job search. I hope that you do not let the words spoken to you go without punishment. Do it the RIGHT way.
It sounds to me that I Hate My Job With a Passion is a very sweet and patient person and that he/she is working with a bunch of jerks. I think he/she should definitely start looking for another place to work that deserves someone as kind-hearted as he/she is. I know that I do not know I Hate My Job With a Passion personally, but if you can work six years in customer service management and are only bothered by your disrespectful co-workers and not by the customers, you are indeed kind-hearted. I think he/she should report the incident and if they fire him/her because of it, that just proves that he/she should not even be working there. But I agree with you that times are sticky and that I Hate My Job With a Passion should not leave until he/she finds another job first…
That sort of harassment is illegal. Don't be afraid of management. Call HR directly. They'll take care of the situation properly. I won't say it will be easy. My own battle with an unhealthy workplace nearly cost me my job because I waited until I was overcome before getting help.
Don't let others rule your life. Cheers.
That is a terrible work environment, and is harassment through and through. Definitely recommend calling your HR department. I can only imagine how hard it is to wake up and do your job in that kind of environment.
There is nothing worse than having to get up and go to a job you hate, NOTHING!!! Ugh that is my nightmare and my unfortunate experience. I really hope IHMYWAP can make some long term goals and short term goals to proactively get out of that situation and into something that brings them joy.
Time to get on CareerBuilder.com