Does anyone here have co-workers that pretty much make their time at work a living hell...including the boss?
How the heck do you deal with it?
I've been working at this place for the 1.5 years and I love the job, getting very good experience and good pay Mashallah....however it is a very demanding job and my co-workers make it much worse, especially my boss who is the most UNETHICAL human to have ever graced the earth.
Me and another co-worker of mine (now a good friend) are the only two young pakistani females on our team of 7 people. We are constantly being taken advantage of but we can't do anything, because it's systematic discrimination and we both are super ambitious and want to move up. However, all the stress is causing both of us to become physically ill repeatedly.
I've cried several times because of work stress and feel angry a lot at work cuz of this. It's actually quite depressing. I'm getting married in 6 months and want to be in a happy place and not all stressed out.
Please tell me I'm not the only one going through this (not that I would wish this upon anyone) just looking to see if other people have gone through something similar. :(
I've been through a similar situation. And you have to understand that there is very little you can do.....because the people on TOP (bosses, supervisors, etc) know how to weasel their way out of unethical situations. And their approach to topple those beneath them is usually, as you said, SYSTEMATIC. You can research the topic of "Toxic Bosses" on the Internet and you will find a list of systematic strategies that superiors will implement to bring down an employee, chip away at their self-esteem, and potentially jeopardize their career.
Here are some ideas:
1) You and your other coworker/friend need to start documenting the date/time/details of inappropriate remarks/actions made by fellow coworkers. It is BEST to have a witness to these incidents. Otherwise it's only a matter of he said/she said....especially if a third party was not there to witness the foul play. A witness who will support you...makes your case stronger....and can intimidate the boss. Nobody likes law-suits.
2) You never mentioned what kind of injustices are taking place. Keep yourself organized at work. Keep on top of things. Submit tasks on time. And establish a friendly and positive relationship with your boss. Take initiative, be helpful.
3) DON'T GOSSIP. The workplace is a competitive jungle where no one is to be trusted. Avoid confiding details of your personal life, complaints about work, or your insecurities to fellow coworkers.
4) Consider meeting with your boss and ask him about your performance and areas of improvement. Take notes on areas of improvement. Work on those areas. ** AND SAVE THOSE NOTES** and document the date and time you took them. IF there is any injustice on your performance evaluation......those NOTES can serve as evidence. It's a smart strategy I learned from someone that can help you out.....and possibly help catch your boss if he's playing dirty.
5) You can consider contacting human resources while you're still working.....but keep in mind that your boss could get angry and seek to make your life even more miserable. OR you can complain to human resources AFTER getting a positive evaluation and securing yourself with ANOTHER job.
6) I've heard that there is a national organization that protects the right of minority members. And becoming a member of this organization can scare bosses into being more careful of how they treat minority employees. Never done it myself, but I've heard that it works for some people.
7) Continue doing a good job (and documenting evidence) and rest assured Allah will take care of the losers.
- Also, keep in mind that FEELING PHYSICALLY SICK (stress induced migraines and nausea) are a SIGN that you're in a toxic job. I read an article about how to tell if you're in a toxic job. And that's one of the few classic symptoms. You have to decide....whether your health and peace of mind is really worth all this trouble. Some things in life are more important that climbing the work ladder. There will be other jobs....and better bosses. Try the above tips...and if you feel they won't help.....LEAVE. Get positive references and get the hell outa there.
