I accepted a new postion as a Case Manager for a nearby county 2.5 weeks ago. I resigned from a job that I enjoyed to accept this positon (the pay was better as well as the benefits).
Okay...so I dig in, get aquainted with my co-workers (very pleasant people), organize my office the way I want it, and began the process of training. The woman that was training me was retiring and I was hired to replace her. The training process was suppose to take place for a week, extended for two weeks if necessary.
After 3 days of training, I was deemed "ready" for the job - in her words, "I was catching on nicely," and sent a email to our supervisor with these exact words, further stating that she didn't think I needed anymore training. So, I put my nose to the grinder and dug in. I found my co-workers very helpful and very gracious.
And things sailed along beautifully - UNTIL...
...the Clinical Director blew back in from her vacation. From day ONE, this woman watched me with a "guarded" eye. It was beginning to creep me out a little. I didn't know this woman at all, nor did she me, but no matter how much I smiled at her, tried to make "ice-breaking" conversation with her, she continued to act distant and guarded toward me. I have never faced anything like this before and I didn't know what to make of it, but more importantly, what to DO about it. It's hard when you first start a job. You're trying to fit in, you're trying to learn a new job...and you feel like a foreigner in a foreign country and it's all so very awkward, even under the best of circumstance. So an added stressor such as this makes it all that much harder.
But the kicker came when this Clinical Director decided to have a staff meeting, which is fine, but she brought with her a crystal that she claimed had "healing power" and wanted us to take turns holding the crystal while we discussed what was going on in our lives. In other words, whoever was done talking was to pass this crystal to the next person to hold while they spoke. And around the table we went...
Personally, I found this bizarre...not the sharing part, but the crystal thing. I don't believe in stuff like that (healing powers, etc) but hey...what the heck. When in Rome..right?
Okay, so this meeting took place on Wednesday. I was hoping that the "heart to heart" meeting broke some ice. But nope...this crystal-toting woman continued to act strange towards me. I had absolutely no idea what the problem was, why she was acting the way she was. She certainly didn't voice any dissatisfaction with my job performance, and I didn't feel comfortable approaching her with my concern as this woman seemed, well...UNapproachable!
Friday morning I show up for work, start my routine and settled in for the day. And as always, crystal-toter breezed by my office, quickly glancing in without so much as a smile. I tell you, it was making things VERY uncomfortable for me.
At 11:00 am, she stepped into my office and asked me if I would join her in her office. I knew this wasn't good whatever it was. So I followed her into her office and there sat the Assistant Executive Director. My stomach sank...I knew then what was coming down. I took a seat and crystal-toter said..."I just don't think this is going to work." When I asked her why, she said..."It just isn't a good fit, and this has been weighing heavily on my mind the past few days." I was absolutely dumbfounded! I had only been on the job for 2.5 weeks for God's sake! How can you judge if somebody is a good fit or not in that short of time??? As my trainer stated, I was catching on nicely so it wasn't because I wasn't a congnitive problem. I have no criminal history, or anything else "shady" in my past that could have been dug up. I have absolutely NO idea what happened, and she wasn't offering anymore explaination than the above.
NEVER have I had anything like this happen to me before. So now, here I am...unemployed (can't return to my previous job, they've already hired somebody to replace me), and clueless as to why I was let go. I live in a small mountain community and finding a good job in this area is a real challenge.
I am SO angry about this. Honest to God, there should be laws to protect new employess against practices such as this. It is extremely damaging to one's life...
Thanks for hearing me out, guys. I am just in a state of shock right now.
~T~
__________________ God created man - then He had a better idea!
Sorry you went through this! I'm tempted to ask if this happened at one of my former places of employment, because I went through something similar a few years ago (minus the crystal thing, which is freaking weird).
Unfortunately, more and more companies are adopting the 90-day orientation period, during which they can fire you at any time for any reason. Sounds like you're probably lucky to get away from that crazy woman, though I know that's not very consoling when you're without a job.
I don't know much about filing for unemployment, but that might be an option for you. I know you have to lose your job "through no fault of your own," which is what this sounds like since she couldn't give you a concrete reason. Wish I had more to offer, but just wanted to agree that your situation sucks and offer some sympathy. I hope you're able to find a new job quickly.
__________________
"The future depends on what we do in the present." - Mahatma Gandhi
Yep...and that "90 day" probation period is often used to camouflage personal prejudices/agendas. You know, if it's a case of the new employee's (bad) attitude, or poor performance, or chronic tardiness/absenteeism, or discovered dishonesty...well then, dismissing them is completely understandable. But what can one do to overcome a supervisor's personal prejudice, for whatever reason? There IS no defense for the employee...you're pretty much screwed in a situation like that. And it happens more than it should.
I've submitted 3 applications and am waiting to hear something. Just sent them out Friday and hopefully my situation will be brief. But you know...I couldn't help but feel irked that I will once again face interviews, which is never pleasant.
As far as I know, I've done nothing to deserve this, damn it!
Tormented... I have to ask this... are you an attractive woman and is the "Crystal Toter"...wellll...not?
I wonder if you "invaded her territory". Some women are goofy like that and get threatened by an attractive and intelligent woman. I would be willing to move my chips all in on that hand.
Last edited by Siciliana; 24th April 2008 at 6:42 PM.
Reason: Drunk typing
We had a new girl start at work and she was a pretty big miss know it all. She made enemies quick because of her kissing of the bosses ~you know what. She was quite obvious that she felt she was better than everyone else. A * one upper *.
I am not suggesting you had any of these traits. I too, wonder if the woman simply was threatened by you. Are you very pretty ? Shapely ? I too ask , was she overweight or fugly ?
__________________
"how do you gently break up with someone???..
Thats like saying how do I gently drive a monster truck through a china/glass/crystal shop.
__________________
Tormented... I have to ask this... are you an attractive woman and is the "Crystal Toter"...wellll...not?
Well, I certainly am not knock-down gorgeous by an means, but I'm not an eye-sore either. Guess you could say I'm a tad above average. Not sure how to answer that one! :::laughing:::
I'm adding a link to my "Myspace" page...take a peek and you be the judge.
Chrystal toter is very thin (extremely so), but very, very plain...somewhat homely in the face.
I just found her so....odd.
But now, here's something I found interesting. I logged on to that particular county's webpage to see if they have posted my position yet and about dropped my jaw when I saw a long list of "open positions" that were filled by people who had been there for awhile. In other words, these people recently quit or were fired shortly after I was shown the door. So something odd is going on over there, something I apparently was oblivious to.
Crystal toter has only been there for 5 or so months and suddenly people are quitting or getting fired.
That's a shame because I really enjoyed my co-workers...wonderful group of people.
We had a new girl start at work and she was a pretty big miss know it all. She made enemies quick because of her kissing of the bosses ~you know what. She was quite obvious that she felt she was better than everyone else. A * one upper *.
I am not suggesting you had any of these traits.
No, if anything I was pretty humble...being new on the job and all. Of course, we can never be certain how we come across to other people, or how other people interpret our words/body language/attitude, etc. If I did come across as a "know it all," it certainly wasn't my intention. My co-workers didn't give off any vibes that I was doing so...in fact, they were extremely helpful and friendly.
But I do know the type you're talking about. Have had to work with a few myself, and yes, they are VERY difficult to deal with!
But I can't help but think I did something to place my position in pearl...I just don't know.
It sounds like Ct fires by nothing more than emoting and conversing with the universe. Perhaps she needs to be the one to emotionally hire all the staff too.
People like this should not be given positions of responsibility. Be glad you're no longer a part of her "sphere" of influence.
__________________ Get busy living or get busy dying!
And, if I was either gay or a man, I would want to make you naked and take advantage of you
I think you are pretty, and the fact that you like motorcycles/quads/outdoors/dogs/smiling/laughing AND the Duke! means that you have an awesome personality.
I can see why she would fire you if it was for territorial reasons, but, now that you state that there is something else going on, maybe my initial assessment was wrong.
It sounds like Ct fires by nothing more than emoting and conversing with the universe. Perhaps she needs to be the one to emotionally hire all the staff too.
People like this should not be given positions of responsibility. Be glad you're no longer a part of her "sphere" of influence.
I agree, but unfortunately this happens all too often. I've had other jobs in the past where the appointed supervisor was ill-equipped to make sound judgements, but nothing as severe as this.
You're right, of course, that I am no longer at the mercy of this nut. But now I'm dealing with unemployment, and opportunities in this area are very scarce.
I agree, but unfortunately this happens all too often. I've had other jobs in the past where the appointed supervisor was ill-equipped to make sound judgements, but nothing as severe as this.
You're right, of course, that I am no longer at the mercy of this nut. But now I'm dealing with unemployment, and opportunities in this area are very scarce.
At this point, I'm not sure what to do...
~T~
Imagine working with this woman for years. "My crystal tells me that the dress code needs to be changed. Everyone must wear a banana costume from now on. I will be changing the employee manual."
Nutbar, nutbar, nutbar. She belongs in a Looney Tunes cartoon.
Check with your old place of employment. If they loved your work and have an opening, they might rehire. Also, send out your CV enmasse.
Come on. Don't let some whackjob get you down. She's plugged into a different reality!
I think that's the maddening part of it all...trying to figure out just what happened here. But then, maybe there is no rhyme nor reason to it. Maybe she's just a whackjob and nothing more. And in a case like that, there IS no recourse. You can't reason with delusional thinking - been working in the field of psych long enough this. Still though...it certainly has left me in a bad situation.
Oh Trial...you gave me a good laugh! Thank you so much for that!
I tell you, that whole "feel the healing power of the crystal" thing threw me over the top. I knew then that I was dealing with a flaming nut, but unfortunately, this was a flaming nut WITH power.
God, is there anything MORE dangerous???
I've sent out 3 resumes so far but nothing has surfaced yet. I sat down with my son last night and told him we may have to move from this area. It's a very small community with very few opportunites.
I wish I could return to my previous employer, but they've already hired somebody to replace me. In fact, I trained her before I left. There are no positions open at this time, so that's not an option for me.
Please note: The suggestions and advice offered on this web site are opinions only and are not to be used in the place of professional psychological counseling or medical advice. If you or someone close to you is currently in crisis or in an emergency situation, contact your local law enforcement agency or emergency number.
Un-Freakn' real!!!
I wonder too...
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