Stabbed in the back by co worker.I am so bummed! An employee of the company I am assigned to apparently does not like me. This employee also hates (an understatement) our mutual supervisor. I detest the supervisor too as I do not trust this supervisor, but I keep my mouth shut and do my job. I work for a company providing in-house technical support. My supervisor asked to speak to me on Friday and in the meeting told me that I had said several inappropriate comments about the chief executive officer to two of the company’s clients. I believe the supervisor made several other observations, but I do not recall what was said. This did not happen and I made this very clear to the supervisor. When briefly working with both clients to take care of their technical needs two days earlier, I mentioned to each client that the weather in the city where I live and work this time of the year is not great as we do not have a spring! Each client asked if we support wireless Internet connections? We do not and I told them so. I also said we may in the future. I may have mentioned to one of the clients that the computer I was working with (that would be used for their meeting) was a little slow but would work fine. I’ve gone over and over in my head what I could have said that was inappropriate and can come up with nothing. I certainly did not say anything about the company’s CEO! I constantly feel that I am on pins and needles working for this client, and I am very, very careful with what I say. For the most part do not interact with the staff except taking care of their technical needs. I am afraid to. I am very uncomfortable working for this client. I have been with them for about 18 months and it has not been fun at all. The supervisor I report to has not been very kind to me. I do the best I can. I certainly am not perfect, but I do a very reasonable job. Trust me, though, when I am scheduled to leave, I do. I just do not want to be there. I would like to add that the employee turn over lately has been tremendous; this is not a fun place to work. The person who stabbed me in the back has complained about me before. This person complains about everyone. Because I am in technical support, it is hard to meet everyone’s needs on the spot, but I really, really try. The funny thing is, I walked to the subway with this person two days earlier and this person just complained and complained about our mutual supervisor. I was very, very careful with what I said, which was not much. This person told me that they had recently filed several complains about our mutual supervisor but was brushed off. So I am beside myself to say the least. I’ve done the best I can. When ever this supervisor has brought me into their office regarding a problem, which has not been for a while, I always address the issue even if I do not feel the complaint is valid. I am somewhat of a wallflower when it comes to a complaint and even if not valid tell the supervisor I will address the issue. I really try to. It could be that I did not quickly respond to an employee’s needs. Usually the problems are minor. I do get a number of nasty emails from the supervisor demanding that a need be taken care of now with much of the email in capital letters as if she was screaming at me. Working in technical support, particularly when I am the only one in this office is difficult. I do not like what I do professionally and need to make a change. I am unsure what I am going to do, so I have done nothing. But I now have to do something as I cannot work there any more. I know not to quit without a job, and I will not, but I do so want to get out of there.I really want to make a professional career change, but again do not know what to do.I am very discouraged right now and feel totally lost.I just had to vent. I am paranoid but afraid my supervisor may read this post. I know this is ridiculous, but could you please delete it? At least your supervisor talks to you. "My supervisor asked to speak to me on Friday and in the meeting told me that I had said several inappropriate comments about the chief executive officer to two of the company’s clients." Okay! A criticism like this one is useless unless you are told EXACTLY what you said that was so wrong. I suspect you do a little too much talking perhaps because you are nervous on the job and unsure of yourself. Excessively talkative people at work usually have problems! In any case, I would not put too much stock into what your supervisor says unless he can be specific. If he cannot give you more information or provide details and just gives you a vague comment, then do not take him seriously. As far as clients are concerned, they can be difficult and demanding and if it is continuously difficult for you to deal with tough clients, you may be better off looking into an entirely different line of work. Don' t worry about your supervisor reading your message. He probably does not look at this Board. If he does and mentions it to you, that may be a good thing and will either lead to an intelligent discussion with him for a change or you will be gone. Either way - it' s not the end of the world. I may be back later with additional comments or another message. I hope you hear from other people on this Forum! Thing is.....these co-workers that do all the complaining to you, they talk bad about the bosses, co-workers, etc....trying to BAIT you into agreeing with them, OR perhaps doing the same, THEN they go to their boss or whomever, and said, "Well, such and such said this about you!" And there you have it, a number 1 troublemaker. (the one who back stabs you) Since you' re a contractor at this company, if you really want to make a change, go back to your agency and ask for one. Let them know you' re willing to stay put until they find something else. Actually, the supervisor shouldn' t have been calling you on the carpet for this anyway, they should have worked through your agency since they are not actually your employer. I work for a technical staffing company and this is my only client I support. I do not work for a recruiter. I am an employee of this company not a contractor. I admit to being insecure with this client, so I keep my mouth shut. I am uncomfortable with this company. I don' t know. I hve been with them for 18 months and need a change. I have a lot to think about. Thank you everyone for your response. The next time you' re walking to the subway with this coworker, let them know how you feel about being stabbed in the back. If there' s an alley or private area along the way, drag him in there and give him an @ss whup' in, so he won' t forget. Ok, let me adjust my terminology. You work for a technical staffing company. You' re an employee of the technical staffing company but a "contractor" to the client company. If you' re not doing well with those clients, then you either need to fix that or find a new client. If the person who "stabbed you in the back" works for the client, then they' re the ones that are going to have the clout in this deal. We have all read your well reasoned posts on these boards and I have never seen anything which would indicate that you were a person who said or did things rashly. In fact, you are one of the more positive contributes to many forums here. It is one small indicator, but none of this fluff seems to have anything to do with you. You just appear to be convenient for this idiot to use and I am sure you are not the first person this has been brought to for ammunition. This person is seeking a target and maybe you seem to fit. I agree that if you can find some way to be "reassigned" and get away from this tempest in a teapot, you will be the happier for it. No one needs an idiot getting in the way of work. Is there any way to request a reassignment, stating that you are not comfortable with the assignment in some vague and innocuous way? Anything will do in order to remove yourself from this toxic little individual. Who needs this anyway? All the best to your search for a better way to live and it would be great if you could post updates so we can learn from the experience. Your experience is common and any way to bow out gracefully is welcome information. | |
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