final (fingers crossed) disgruntled office girl post

Today at the end of the day, Cori and I were working on something in room 2.  Heather came and stood in the doorway, said, "Cori, I'm leaving for the day.  Are you ok?  Do you need any help?"

Cori answered, "No."

Heather said, "Ok, see you tomorrow."

And then she turned around and walked away, ignoring me standing right there next to Cori.  She did not say goodbye to me, or even make eye contact/acknowledge that I was in the room also.

This type of behavior leads to a toxic work environment.  Who would want to work with some one who treats a co-worker like she doesn't even exist or isn't just standing right there?

For the first few seconds, I was kind of stunned.  For a moment, I thought about stepping out into the hallway and shouting to Heather that I was okay, too, and I would see her tomorrow, but I decided against it.  I am not going to stoop to her level or let her know that she gets under my skin.  Plus, I feel like that type of response from me would just make the situation even worse.  Heather is bitter and spiteful.


Heather is a toxic leaf, and I can't wait to prune her from my vine. 

I happened across some articles in the New York Times online edition about a cabinet maker in Philly who started conducting employee reviews to thwart any problems on the production floor.  The articles have been really helpful.  The most important thing I took from the article was a line written, "A bad employee is a person who makes a good employee feel badly about herself."  I've been making great efforts to conduct myself with grace in the presence of others, even when I have not been treated with grace or respect.

disgruntled office girl update

I talked to my parents about the sabotage comment, and my mom recommended that some time, when the opportunity presented itself, just make an aside, "Oh, that chart you are looking for is on the desk in back.  I was hiding it from you.  Isn't that just like me! I'm so sneaky!"

This aside, is sarcastic, of course.

Well, the opportunity did present itself.  Kim was looking for a chart, which I had noticed was on the counter in the dark room (I did not put the chart there, I just remembered seeing it there when I was working on something).  She asked if I had seen it.  I commented, loudly and scarcastically, "Oh, it's in the dark room!  I was hiding it from you.  I'm such a sneak.  Isn't that JUST like me to hide things!"

Kim laughed.  She knew I was joking around and that I am not a sneak.  She did not know that Heather had accused me of sabotage.

As soon as I said it, though, I immediately regretted it.  I sounded like a snarky bitch.  And a snarky bitch is something that I am not.

I have calmed down immensely.  I do not want to burn a bridge at work, but I am going to submit a formal complaint to my boss, so she has a record.  In case there is a future problem, it would probably be helpful if there is a record/history of this kind of pettiness from Heather.  My dad got attacked by a dog a few years ago.  He filed a report with the police and animal control.  The dog attacked another person, and it was helpful that there was a record/history.  I understand that a co-worker is not a wild animal (HA!) but I don't want Heather to think that she can get away with treating people like this.

Hike to Salt Lick

I took Jason to Salt Lick today.  It was his first time there, and he seemed to enjoy it, even though it was hot as hell.  We went to my parent's house and picked up wienus dog, too.


Gorgeous view from the scenic overlook.  I love a brilliant blue sky big puffy clouds!  The flood plain was looking lush, too.