Accused of being a bully

[4getmenot]

A while ago we had a lady join us in our office from another area as she wasnt getting her job done under no suprevision at another office. Me and my colleague starting doing alot of her work to get all her files up to date so she wasnt getting more behind, we would always tell her if there was anything she needed then she only had to ask. She still couldnt do her job properly after being in the office for months and we were told to spot check on her work. She then started having meeting with bosses to try and sort her issues out and giving her deadlines for things. We still picked up alot of her whilst this was going on. She then went of sick with depression for a while, and now big bosses have given her a home visit and she has said she cant come back to our office because we are bullying her!! well I am quite upset that she has said that after all the help we have given her.

[sherrardk]

If she's off with depression she might be trying to make things look better for herself by embellishing things a bit. Try not to take it to heart.

[askyourgran]

I hope you and your colleague deny that, and tell the boss how you have been trying to help her. She's obviously not up to the job. At least there are two of you to say she's lying. Some people.

[Andyvon]

She knows she can't do the job 4getmenot. That's obviously the cause of her depression and she's in a vicious circle. She probably knows she'll lose her job soon too so she's getting desperate to find reasons to stay away and keep some form of pay coming in. It must be a terrible time for her and unpleasant for you and your colleagues too.

I don't think you'll have to worry too much about this in the future as the woman will almost certainly be gone soon. Your bosses would have known about her at the other place so she's had one chance and now she's blown this one with you.

[4getmenot]

but its such a harsh word. And upsetting when I've been nice to her even when she did irritatate the fudge out of me because I kept having to do her work. The big bosses havnt pulled us in because they dont believe it, and one shared an office with us. She asked if she could go back to working in her other area but they have told her she must work at ours but they are putting her in another office. We have also been told not to do any more of her work and leave her to it now. Its a shame because we worked hard to get it all back together again.

[Dolt]

You lot sound like a bitchy lot 4get, even the way you put Q, sounds like your the BOSS,

[daffy654]

It sounds like she knows she is going to be sacked and is lining up an excuse for a tribunal.

[ummmm]

They want her to prove that she's not fit for the job....

[4getmenot]

Its you're Dolt :-) but thank you

[jno]

do make sure none of this goes on your own record

[Andyvon]

You have to look after yourself at the end of the day 4getmenot. You've done a lot for this woman but it's unfair and unreasonable for anyone to expect you and your colleagues to keep carrying someone like that. There's always the danger that her problems will rub off on you as well as the atmosphere you must be working in. If it were me I would politely explain to her if she returned that you have so much of your own work and pressure that you can't do anymore of her duties from now on. If you are polite and sensitive then you should be able to ease away quite well.

It's a shame she's labelled you as a bully. I think she's desperate but that's still no excuse. Maybe you could have a chat with your bosses and explain that you feel that label is unfair. Also point out that you had to do lots of her duties and the label really isn;t warranted. Good luck.

[Kassee]

I think it was bad that the bosses told you that. If they knew it wasn't true surely they knew it would upset you, especially when you had been helping her. It is only going to cause bad feeling - so why tell you at all. She sounds a bit of a mess altogether !

[4getmenot]

My area boss has told the big bosses she will not have us labelled bullies. I have also told her that I dont want to spot check her any more. I felt like I shouldnt have been put in that position in the first place.

[Dolt]

I just hate people being picked on.
Although I'd like to bitch about my BOSS!

[4getmenot]

they told us because we needed to know whether were to carrying on covering her job. They know we wouldnt cause bad feeling in the office.

[anneasquith]

im sure this is upsetting for you 4get, but if this lady is genuinely depressed then she may have seen " things" differently.

[4getmenot]

Who is being picked on Dolt?

[4getmenot]

I do agree she is genuinly depressed, she is a nervous wreck, but we tried are best to help her feel welcome. I think the depression has come on more because she knows she cannot do her job.

[Teddy_boy]

Maybe to her you were bullying her ?

[4getmenot]

I know what bullying is in the workplace, I used to have post it notes written about me and passed between two girls in my old place.

[jno]

do keep your bosses onside (as you seem to be doing). This woman has slandered you, it's quite a serious accusation and you need to make sure the truth is on record before she goes off spouting to anyone else. It's the old thing about lies being halfway round the world before truth has even got its boots on.