I have been working for several years in a section where there are a lot of problems. One colleague committed suicide because of harassment, another is taking the boss to court, a third has had a nervous breakdown and is off work on invalidity, another has to drink alcohol to get to sleep at night.

After the suicide of my colleague HR sent an evaluation on the boss which she only gave her friends to complete and the rest she falsified the signatures.

There are only 12 people in the section. Five are the bosses friends from the Philippines. There is one in each office so it is like we are working with spies. No one speaks in there with each other. I asked one colleague if she thought it was a toxic work environment and she replied "I would rather not say".

The boss gives people she doesn't look strange looks in the corridor. She talks with her friends (who work in our section) about what she is going to write in people's reviews. I walk into the office and hear things like "I am going to get Maureen", that is the woman who is going to take her to court. She openly humiliates people at team meetings in front of others. At one meeting she said "I am going to exterminate the cockroaches in here".

She tries to find out as much as she can about people's pasts and use it against them. She told one colleague she found out they were a former alcholic and another had gotten sacked from a job and used it against them and threatened them.

I have gained ten kilos in the past year because of depression due to work. Eventhough my work was fine my boss would not sign my review for 2 months and I could not handle it any more and almost had a nervous breakdown. I went into her office every 3 days asking if my work was o.k. and she was laughing at me seeing me in distress.

Should I try to get out of this workplace as quickly as possible? Would you work in this type of workplace?

Put it this way, they don't own you and you are not chained to your desk.
Start your resume tonight, but remember your next job is often the rebound job, and you'll settle in the one after that.

Just remember what you do is your decision. Don't change your life because of advice on here, do it because you want to.

Scribe,

Would you put up with the work environment I mentioned above?

Louise

You're going to see some of these things in any organization, but from your description, this does seem to be an unusually bad place to work. Your boss is mentally disturbed.

Keep an eye out for an opportunity to jump ship, as your personal circumstances permit. 10 kg weight gain in a year is way too much.

Edit: To answer your question: it takes some grit to actually walk out, but I would start applying for jobs!

Is this another way of describing bullying at school?

If not then you are a numpty for even putting up with it.

I left a toxic place and took agency work. It was risky money wise but it was worth it.

No, but I count myself lucky to have a skill set, and be in a occupation where I'm confident I could get another job quickly.

I also wouldn't take any crop from this boss, but I've never been afraid of standing up for myself no matter who it was too, but perhaps that's because of the paragraph above.

I'm assuming you're in Canada, so I don't know how it would work over there, but if she makes your life hell, complain of constructive dismissal to her boss and HR. Are you a union member? Can you take that route? Or you can look for another job.

What you do is up to you. Please don't quit on my advice just because I would in your situation.

Only you know what you must do.

Why haven't you made a complaint to the Workplace Abuse organisation there?

https://osha.europa.eu/en/topics/stress/bullying.stm for Switzerland: http://www.mobbing-zentrale.ch/

You already know it isn't normal behaviour and no, I wouldn't work there.

Perhaps you should escalate your plans to move to Canada.

Hi Siouxie,

Yes, I am in the process of selling my apartment and then moving to Canada for a new adventure.

Thanks everyone else for your honest advice.

Have a lovely evening everyone,
Louise

Harsh

I've worked in a bad work environment with some horrible colleagues and b**** team leader. Unfortunately it's not always that easy to just drop everything and walk out, but I would definitely not put up with a work environment that makes me ill and gaining 10kg due to work related stress sounds like your job is making you ill. I would seek legal advice to report that place and the boss. It seem like she is taking advantage of people's fear of losing their jobs. I have no idea how the Swiss system works regarding employment law and employee protection. Good luck

No one should work in such a place. Whether its in Canada, or the UK, or anywhere. That behaviour is unacceptable.
Obviously that's easy for me to say because I don't work there, and don't have to leave and find something else, but if it is affecting your health to that extent you really need to go somewhere else. If you are making plans to go to Canada, can you find yourself something else knowing it only has to be temporary? Given that you'll be leaving at some point soon anyway, I would complain too. HR have already been made aware there is an issue, tell them what you know about the referrals etc.

I didn't much like my work - not that it was anywhere near yours! - and I got through it by crossing off the days on a calendar and focussing on the fact it was only temporary. Handing in my notice was great, I actually felt physically lighter when I got home after my last day, as if a weight had been lifted.

Hang in there - but for as short a time as possible

No-one should have to put up with the situation you describe and I'm sure you're right to look for something else. The important thing is to do what's right for you and not 'just' react to them. You don't need to leave the country to change company but if you were thinking about moving to Canada anyway this may be the final push you needed to take the plunge.

If there's an urgent need to get out ( and it sounds like there is) it's worth remembering that the next job is unlikely to be perfect as you will probably take the first opportunity that comes along. Unless you get very lucky it normally takes a while to find the right job but I hope it doesn't take you long to find a better option than the one you've got now.

Good luck.

imo your HR was totally unprofessional giving the review to your boss to distribute instead of going through another, independent party. That's how reviews are done at my workplace.

Have you gone directly to HR?
Are you documenting the harrassment?
Would you consider getting a lawyer?

Assuming this is real then no, I would not work in such a place for a moment longer. I would take some time off and consider your next action:

a) Make a detailed, yet dispassionate, list of the problems. Make this as factual as possible. Support it with provable facts – either documentary proof or reliable witnesses. Particularly important is behaviour that is clearly contrary to company policy, the Law, or where there is a measurable loss to the company. You have to assume that whoever reads this will think their company is perfect and you are a disgruntled, spiteful, bad apple. Completely avoid words like feelings and strange looks.

If you can put together a convincing document then send it to the most senior person in the company with responsibility for human resources. Include a cover letter saying that you cannot continue working in this environment but that you have enjoyed other times working for the company, are grateful for your opportunities and, as you don’t believe they will condone the situation, you wanted to bring it to their attention.

The response will tell you what you need to know to make future decisions.

Unfortunately, you have to take into account that one possible response is that you will be considered a disgruntled, spiteful, bad apple and end up fired with a lousy reference. If this is not an option, or you can’t prove your assertions then:

b) Write a very polite and professional resignation letter, thanking the company for the opportunity they gave you and offering every co-operation in handing over your work to your successor. Take the high road and keep your dignity intact. (And not forgetting that in three or four years’ time the person writing your reference will have no personal knowledge of the situation and will only have the documents in your file to go on. )