Feeling Trapped in a Toxic Work Environment: How Do You Cope with Unfair Treatment?

Dear Seniors, I am working in the service industry in an administration role. The working environment here is extremely frustrating. They have given me more responsibilities beyond my administrative duties; they expect me to handle admin, accounting, HR, front desk, secretarial tasks, and more.

The accountant in the office seems to have an issue with me, although I am unsure why. He complains about me to our senior staff even when I am performing my job well. At times, he changes filing materials himself and then asks me to locate them. If I cannot find them, he instructs me to reopen all older files and rearrange them. This behavior is not only directed at me but also towards two other junior colleagues, based on age and experience.

We are not allotted proper lunch breaks; we eat quickly and are immediately expected to return to work. We are not permitted to leave the office or engage with other employees. I am feeling extremely frustrated. I have decided that this will be my last month working here, but I find it difficult to wait until the end of the month due to his behavior. Every day, he comes up with new strategies to provoke us, and we feel powerless to retaliate as our seniors support him. He holds more authority in our hierarchy and community.

Salary should be disbursed on the 1st of each month, yet he issues our cheques on the 5th and hands them to us on the 10th. I fail to comprehend why people behave this way. Sometimes, the calculations on the cheques are incorrect, yet he ensures his own salary is paid on time.

Financial constraints are keeping me here, but I cannot endure this situation any longer as it is affecting my health and well-being. I seek advice from fellow professionals. Even if I leave, the new hire for my position will undoubtedly face similar mistreatment.

Please assist me. This issue persists. Please help.

Thank you.

Hey Suchita, I have read about the problem you are facing with the account guy and your senior harassing you. They seem to want you to give in, but don't do that. If you are right and performing your work correctly, then speak with the main person in your office. You mentioned that your senior is supporting the account person, so approach him and ask why he is doing so. Directly address the issue and seek clarification.

Additionally, consider looking for another job without leaving your current one. You might be able to find a new job easily. If you choose to leave your current job, your superiors will realize your value. Remember to communicate openly and assertively.

Best of luck.

If you are looking for a change, is it really required? I think you should speak to seniors once.

It's sad and unfortunate, the situation you are enduring in your office. There are people like that "account guy" you mention in your post. You have to learn to deal with such nasty elements, as you may find many in your career and on your way of life. Be strong and learn to work around these situations.

Focus on your job responsibilities, KRAs, and learning involved in your work. It's famously said, "love your job, not your company."

Keep your reports up to date and always maintain a separate set of records you submit for your personal reference. In case any discrepancy is raised, you can refer to your work.

Trust no one verbally in the office. When it comes to formal and official communication, always maintain communication on paper, like email or in writing.

Maintain your calm composure during times when you are teased, irritated, or provoked over anything. Remember, some people are of a sadistic nature; they enjoy the reactions from people when troubled.

Always remember no one can insult you without your permission. Your calm composure in stressful times will present you as very mature and strong. This will irritate the troublemaker.

Always maintain records and communication systematically. You can inform higher authorities of mistakes in accounting, payroll, or any matter affecting your employment. Present it in a professional, neutral, and complete way, without letting any personal anguish, frustration, or ego.

Summarize and present your work and its value to the management, decision-makers, etc.

If it's still too toxic to work, be patient, be calm, and seek another opportunity. However, do not carry forward any grudge, bad memories, or opinions to a new workplace.

Do not discuss any negative experiences you faced in the company during interviews with prospective employers.

Calm down and enjoy life.

Dear Suchitra,

Firstly, give him a chance and ask why he is doing so. If he responds in a decent way and confesses that he is irritated or wants to tease you, then ask him to stop it immediately. Keep the conversation short and avoid engaging with him too much. If he doesn't reply and continues the behavior, find out who is in management and report it directly to them. Do not be afraid. If you are talented, you will find another job, possibly with a slightly lower salary or even a better one. Stay confident that you will find a suitable opportunity, but do not tolerate such behavior.

In the third scenario, provide me with the management's contact information and details of the senior authority there. I will ensure that the matter is communicated to them effectively. Remember, this is not a conducive work environment. By lodging a formal complaint, you are not only standing up for yourself but also preventing someone else from facing a similar issue when you leave.

Best regards,
Dipti

Sucheta, Dipti, and Mr. Hussain Zulfikar have suggested clever ways to deal with your problem. I am also of the same view. To support you, I am attaching two items that show the situation can be handled on our own. Please observe the picture and then read the PDF file calmly. I hope you will gain new insight.

Regards,
Kedar

Challenges Faced by Women in the Workplace

So many Suchitas on earth! And oh hell, so many such "Accounts Guys" too on earth! Financial constraints and family problems. A girl wants to work, but the man will not allow it. Does he have some ulterior motives? Or is he simply a sadist? Ms. Suchita, you are not alone. We have come across many stories here.

There was a lot of exchange under corporate challenges faced by women. Read them, take heart, have courage, and face the world. Do not expect a bed of roses; walk on the path of thorns, bleed but do not beg, work hard, and rise above the level. One or two from Pune are assuring help to you; approach them. But still, you may land in a world of "such account babus." You may change the place, but people might be the same.

Learn to live as a woman, develop a killer instinct, learn to kick not to lick, and live your life with courage. Pray and believe in God. Only God.

Thank you so much for your valuable replies. It is really helpful for me. Thanks a lot. As someone said, believe in God. Yes, I believe in Him; that's why I got all of your suggestions.

Thanks, friends.

Dear Suchita,

As far as I am concerned, everyone has to undergo these sorts of situations to build a good career. It's all experience you are gaining in your career, and moreover, you have been exposed to a lot of areas like accounting, HR, admin, etc. You should take this from a different perspective, and above all, you should have man management skills.

You yourself should tackle this situation; then only you will become a professional. You should believe in yourself and prove that you are worthy of the organization; definitely, your supervisor's perception of you will change. Take everything positively and find opportunities from challenges; it's all about learning.

Don't give up, and I wish you all the best.

In my opinion, instead of leaving a job in the middle of the month, first, have something in your hand and then move on. If you sit at home for 3-4 days, you will be more frustrated due to boredom. Another thing is, before leaving, teach him a lesson so that he cannot behave with another person in a similar way. At least inform higher management about his attitude. I wish you good luck ahead.

Regards,
Himani

Dear Suchita, Mr. Hussain has really guided you well. Please follow his guidance and focus on your work. You may password-protect your computer files. Try to document all your work and maintain a diary of all instructions. Your goodness will certainly overcome all bad things in your office.

Also, speak to your seniors to develop certain policies. This will help everybody in your organization.

Do not give remote control of your mind to anybody.

Regards & all the best,
Durga

Dear Suchita, Just to encourage you, I too started my career in the same situation. After working for two years, one day I left the job in frustration but only after getting a good opportunity. Believe me, today I feel so confident that I can work under extreme pressure and in adverse situations without losing my composure. Facing difficulties at the beginning of a career gives you the courage and confidence to deal with different situations. There is always learning in both good and bad conditions.

Thank you.

Even I don't understand why people do these things with their juniors. I mean, yaar, let them work if they want to do their job sincerely. Imposing these things on them, harassing, giving them too much work, and bullying them with this kind of behavior shows no respect for their seniority and experience. But these seniors...

Well, Suchita, I have gone through the suggestions and advice provided to you by the members here. In addition to that, I want to say that you must speak to your head of the department or your HR people about it first. I agree with Mr. Basavraj; let them know what the other people/seniors are doing with you and your other colleagues. However, without securing a new job, given your financial restrictions, deciding to leave might not be a good decision, methinks.

I can understand what you are going through there and how you are not ready to work with them anymore, or don't want to face these harassments and their discourteous and disrespectful behavior towards you. It is not easy to stay there for even one more day in this kind of situation, especially when people are not ready to support you, and you know you are not wrong and are doing your job properly and efficiently. But I want you to control your nerves and speak with your most senior people once, as I said above.

Dear, I want you to stay there for some more time and let us do something for you first. As you know, the people here on CiteHR are already looking for an option for you and trying to get you a good job soon. You need to give us some time.

You can also file a charge sheet against them on the basis of C.D.A. Rules of 1975, under the RTI Act.

Regards,
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