Not sure if I will be providing any support, but here is my take on it. Yes, there is a lot of unnecessary office BS just about anywhere you go. That's a major reason I left my position back in November of last year. People were always talking crap about others behind their back, but to their face, they were best friends. It really did not sit well with me. Also, most people always played the blame game, and whenever others' work could be shoved off onto me, it was done. I really felt out of place there. When you stick up for yourself and tell the truth, it puts a target on your back sometimes. But, I have been unemployed for almost 9 months, and my prospective has changed quite a bit. It is important to have a roof, food to eat, utilities, and water and be able to go to the doctor when you need to. I'm in a very desperate situation right now, and I'm worried about all of those things. Right now, I think I'd rather put up with the BS and have my essentials provided for, rather than not put up with it, and worrying about how I'm going to feed myself next month. I never thought I would find myself in this situation, and I find myself now applying for jobs with much less pay, and even more responsibilities. Starting over is much harder than I thought it would be. When things start to get to you at work, just think, what if I wasn't here making this money so I can afford what I need. Think about those that would jump at the chance to do your job. Then, it might be a little easier to bear. I know it's tough being in your situation, but I think the alternative is much worse. If I could go back in time, I think I would have done things differently.

I agree with dachshund, I had a lot of drama at work. I used to work in sales which is one of the drama filled competitive industries. I decided to get out of the business all together and go back to school cause I was tired of the drama. My breaking point was when I came to my boss about how to get a higher pay and she assumed that my mom & dad would helped me pay for whatever I needed help with. Oh I was so mad cause she has no idea about my background and how I don't depend on my parents for anything. I wrote a letter to everyone explaining the incident and quit the same day. Usually tho, when I would have a problem with a co-worker, I would approach them without being confrontational, and just try to work things out. There is always a solution to a problem. Best wishes.

I don't blame you for getting upset, xbluewavechic. With most bosses, if you ask for a raise, you would think you had actually asked for a kidney. I really felt backed into a corner on my previous job. Up until October of last year, I had a really great boss, but I found out that was going to change starting in January of this year. And, my new boss and I did not see eye to eye at all. He even accused me of lying And in front of 3 other co-workers. I am was very meticulous, and I consider myself to be very trustworthy. To me, if I do not have my word, I do not have anything. And, I had probably talked to this guy at the most 3 times prior to this, so he did not know beans about me. It took all I had at that point not to say, well you are going to have to find someone else to do the job and walk out. I paused for a moment, and I could actually see myself doing it at that moment, but I stopped myself. That was on a Thursday. The following Sunday, I turned in my two weeks notice.

I'm currently enrolled in a program that assists with job placement with mental illnesses. I have an appointment for next Thursday. One of the things I have to do is list the pros and cons of my previous job. I did come up with about two pages of handwritten cons. This makes me feel less guilty for the decision that I had made last November. But, it doesn't diminish any of my worries that I have listed in my previous post. I actually found myself going to an emergency food bank today. Not a good day at all.

@ dachshund: Supervisors should never reprimand, let alone accuse some one of lying in front of colleagues. I am shocked he or she would do that. Ia m so sorry you had to go to an emergency food bank.

@mginmn: I agree that the work place is phony, and not just talking about people, but laughing at jokes that are not really funny during meetings - just silly awkwardness.

I have so many health issues - though I know many people much more sick than I am- (and I imagine dyspraxia at work must be very challenging!!), and my supervisor's boss, just finally sat me down and told me my supervisor is never going to care about that or me. I don't want sympathy, but an "I see you have four doctors' appointments this week. I hope they go well..." would be nice every now and then.

Of course it is much more than that - he is just intimidating, I think he enjoys confrontation, and he is a bad manager.

Be well (I hope!) everyone - Gabrielle

Thank you Gabrielle. That situation embarrassed me greatly, and I could see I would never survive in that situation. I already felt like almost everyone was against me before that new boss (the new HR manager) was hired. In his previous position, he was a recruiter for the military. And, after that episode with me, I really hope he has honed in on his people skills.

I'm sorry to hear about your health problems. You must be a very strong person to endure it all, and I admire that.

Some managers let a little bit of power go to their head. But, they need to remember, what goes around, comes around. Once, I had a manager who was so wonderful. He treated others in the way he would want to be treated. You rarely see this, and I miss him.

Thank you all for your responses thus far. Dachshund, I really relate to what you are saying. The insecurity of no job is far worse than the BS of having one. I really hope things get better for you. Going to a food bank must really hurt. I have been utterly broke myself many times, and it is so depressing and stressful. I am dreading my mid-August meeting to determine my fitness for my job with much more anxiety and depression than the job itself gave me. I've gone from feeling like I am the torchbearer of truth to feeling like beggar. I so hope things work out for you. Xbluewavechic, I hope going back to school leads you along a less "dramatic" path. The co-workers that the problems have been about don't want to talk anything out, they just want it to go away by saying nothing. I have to remember that I cannot change other people, and what they think of me should not be so important. Gabrielle, you are right on target, those phoney ha-ha jokes. And why is it so hard for people to just say something nice like I hope it goes well, or I"m sorry for your situation? They can still go on to say, "However . . ." But it only takes a few seconds to show that you care. Like you, I have been told that the people I have issues with simply do not care, and many people find my supervisor arrogant. I cannot change him or anyone else. Unless I win the lottery, I have to keep finding ways of dealing with it all. My very best to all of you!!!

PS: Here's a old song I thought folks might relate to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJjJ6FNWFdI

Thanks mginmn. My experience has certainly been a humbling one, but like everything else, it will pass. The frustrating part is the speed at which it is passing. Wishing you the best on your meeting, and hoping it gets easier for you to cope at work. Keep us posted.

I liked the song :-)

Thanks much, dachshund. Same back at you. Glad you liked the song.

So many people in my organization know how arrogant my supervisor and our division head are! The division head is ex-military too. I think I'll avoid that in my next job! (Hoping that comes sooner rather than later of course.).

Have a great weekend everyone, and let's TRY not to think about work! :)

Gabrielle