Work collegue that making my life hell

[lil123]

Can anyone advise me on what to do for the best.
There is a woman at work who is a nasty piece of work. She gossips about everyone and tries to get them into trouble.
Today, my boss gave me a warning as I had been seen using my mobile phone whilst working.
I know it is her who has told my boss.
I feel like I have to watch my back all the time and I know she is talking about me to people.
I have dealt with it really well so far and stood up to her a few times as i know what a bully she is.
I really feel I can't take much more apart form look for another job but the hours in my job fit in great with my little boy as I am a single parent.
I have started to dread going into work

[Eve]

If you want to keep the job then just don't give her anything to grass on you about.

If you play by the rules then she's stuck and will hopefully leave you alone.

[lil123]

Yes that's a good idea

[Velvetee]

I would put in a formal complaint against her for bullying. Unfortunately, there will always be those types in the workplace, who think by sucking up to the boss, they will earn brownie points.

[society]

"Kill her with kindness" - be extremely nice to her in every way you can. It will get on her nerves especially if she's conscious of being nasty to you.

[puddicat]

Agree with society to some degree,when these sort of things happen the least the perpetrator of this kind of bullying is you to appear friendly and non plused,she wont know what to do next believe me!!!

[Eve]

In my first job as a PA I was the baby of the dept by a long way in age and experience.

One of the ladies just made a beeline for me to the point of being OTT then I was quietly warned about her by some of the others that she had wanted my job and was looking for things to report back to the HR manager.

I just got on with my job, did the best I could and made some wonderful friends in the rest of the people there.

I was always polite and friendly to her and she just seemed to get bored and give up in the end.

[lil123]

She was moved to out team as someone put a complaint in about her and all they did was move her.
Yes, theres always someone like this at work but at least I am aware what she is doing

[Lil O'lady]

Join a union. Talk to your union rep about our concerns. Your rep will advise you on how to formally inform your line manager that this is going on. In a situation like this you have to behave perfectly - the bully is skilled at s squirming away from punishment because you did x y or z.
This is serious. She is a nutjob not you, but the dice is loaded against you cos of the mobile phone event. Switch it off at work, think long term and work with your union to get her moved permanently away from you.

[Panic Button]

Console yourself with the third line of your question.

She does it to everyone, not just you.

It is probably her way of amusing herself, and if she sees it is bothering you, then it will encourage her to do it even more.

Just grow a thick skin.

[growlybear]

I had this at my work too.
Someone reported that I used my phone to text up to 100 messages one day and that I'd skived off work early that day too.

Day in question, I'd been at the other end of the complex, attending the initiation day for new staff.

I offered to bring in my mobile bill that would show I didn't make 100 texts in a month.

Complaint dropped like a hot potato.

Found out later this person had it in for most people. You just had to be on your guard around them.

[lil123]

Thank you everyone for your answers.
I am going to get tough.
I will only say what I have to when I'm near that woman and just concentrate on what benefits my job gives to me and my son such as being able to have a car and days out.
I have been through so much in my life already that dealing with this will be a doggle

[Bbbananas]

good for you Lil - don't let one nasty piece of work like this get you down or spoil things for your little boy. There's nearly always at least one person like this in an office/factory/work place. Take the 'kill with kindness' stance, or just ignore her altogether - she'll get fed up eventually & go on to someone else. But, if she does persist, put in a complaint.,

[johnny.5]

how about trying this ?
if she does have the boss's ear then pick up all the dangers and risks point them out to her andask her if there is anything she can doto help .
this wil keep her occupied and off your back as well as others .
i dont know what sort of environment you work in but tthere bound to be risks and risks assessment need to be carried out

[lil123]

I work with disabled people and yes there are always risk assessments to do etc that she is always pointing out.
I will take great pleasure in telling her to carry out a risk assessment and present it to the boss!!

[ianfran]

i'll just get a wet fish and smack her hard round the chops!! at least i'll be satisfied! and sacked ................... ok .... still working on it........

[retheim]

sorry to hear of your problem the trouble with people like that is they always seem to be in the boss good books my daughter has the same problem at work and was given a first and final warning over having time off ill which this women had sent her home for. then told the boss she had time off cos of moving which she didnt cos she was too ill. but my daughter is quiet and didnt get chance to tell him and the sicknote she took in was hidden under a pile of papers. so i told her he will find it eventually and realise his mistake and to keep her head down do her job and not to tell her anything baout her private life so she hasnt any ammunition to use and if she tells her to do something that isnt right or to go home again then refuse and keep notes with dates and times i really do hate this its worse than bullying at school cos at least its easier to change schools than jobs hope it all turns out well for you

[lil123]

I know. I have started to keep a log in my diary as she told me off for 2 other things today, one of which was untrue.
I stood up for myself as I will continue too.
These bully's get away with it as they so far up mangers backside and at end of day they are informants.
I will just get on with it until I find a better job as there is no point in staying as the bully always wins

[mrs_overall]

Hi lil

There has been some very sensible advice posted on here and I'd suggest you follow it.

If you fancy a spot of revenge, I would invent a far fetched story and confide it to the evil one. When she grasses you up you can sweetly deny it and she will look a fool.
Suggestions include:
tell her you are pregnant with triplets or
pretend to have a phone conversation at work with someone really famous.

Can you imagine her telling your boss that you spent an hour of works time on the phone to Brad Pitt??

[NoMercy]

Give someone enough rope and they will hang themselves. Have you discussed this with your other colleagues. Chances are, they feel the same way you do about this person, and so if enough of you make a complaint, they will surely have to conduct a thorough investigation.

I was bullied by two sisters going back 3 years ago. I stood up for myself but this only made matters worse (but then 'Daddy' was one of the major shareholders). I've now found out that the elder sister is going to be on my flight on Sunday. I haven't even laid eyes on them since Nov. '07. I'm not quite sure whether or not to acknowledge her on Sunday, as I am bound to bump into her when we are boarding the plane. Her mother is reportedly going to be with her, too. Funnily, I always got on with the mother!!!