I was just wondering... now that I'm looking for a new job... how do I avoid an office-related situation in which I faced in the past?

At my last employment, I worked for a large organization and had a very unfavorable experience there. Of course, working in a big company, you are going to rub elbows with people who are very arrogant, obnoxious, petty, and back-stabbing, and that was, of course my experience. (It was similar to the "Cathy and Kathy" skits on "Kids in the Hall," but a lot worse.) The first few months were fine. I was working, and being friendly with people in my office until one woman started acting a little hostile towards me. It began with eye-rolls in my direction or scoffing at me while I was speaking to another employee about work-related topics to the last straw when she screamed at me over her missing pen, acusing me of stealing it, and then calling me a "liar" to my face and outwardly hostility. She even went as far as to try to belittle me in front of other employees, and reported to my boss that my perfume was too strong, and so I was written up for abuse of policy. When I was confronted by my boss over the "perfume" situation, I told her that I felt that I was being bullied for no reason but my boss' only suggestion was to "oh, just ignore her. She just acts that way," and when I said, "Well, I've tried but she's coming into MY office and harassing me," my supervisor just acted like it wasn't a big deal and dismissed me back to my office. I eventually went over my supervisor's head and filed a report against the woman who was harassing me, but I got fired.

Is there any way to avoid this in the future?

probably and sadly not.

That sucks. It isn't right and it isn't fair. Think of it as motivation to find an office with non-psycho co-workers.

My corporate world experience is hauntingly similiar to the movie "Office Space". I would post more advice from cube-land but I have to go put covers on my TPS reports lest I get a stern warning from one of my seven bosses. ;)

Best thing to do is show up for the job interview with a six pack of beer. After first offering a beer to your potential future boss, you open yourself a cold one and take a long pull from the can. Then you start the interview with a statement along these lines. Let's assume your interviewed by a guy named "Bob".

You know Bob, the thing about me is that I like to think outside the box, shift the paradigm, and hit the ground running. So we could sit here and talk about what I've done, and what I'm gonna do for you, and waste each others time, OR you and I could split this six pack of beer, talk about sports, and figure out how much you are gonna have to pay me to come work for you.

Obviously, this approach isn't right for every potential employer, but if you seek to work in a tolerant, laid-back environment, I really don't see how you can lose. I don't even have to wear pants in my office, and sometimes I don't. :)

Lil_ElvenPrincess ........



Become "self employed".

Cosmic Traveler, thanks for the suggestion. I would definitely like to be my own boss but it's just not possible for me because, well, I'm not sure what business I would start and I dont have any money right now anyway... ha ha. It's just easier and more convenient to work for someone else.

I appreciate the help and ideas from those of you who had replied to this thread. Maybe my prior problem where I was being harassed at work and targeted by my "psycho" (very good description, Princess!) co-worker was just a isolated situation. I've never, in my other experiences of working in an office, been confronted with such a strange person who acted so hostile. I definitely felt bitter by my experience and I can't help thinking, sometimes, if there could have been some way that I could have handled the situation better, just so that I can be better prepared if I come face-to-face with another "psycho," since there are so many in the world... lol!

Anyhow, thanks, guys, for your help! :m:

EP