As an update to the situation at work:
I had another run-in or two with the same woman – similar situations, similar results. I finally got the nerve to talk to one of the doctors about it.
Conversation went approximately like this:
“Can I bother you for a moment? I’d like to ask a question and I want you to be completely honest with me. Is there something that I’m doing wrong, as an employee or sonographer, that you and the other doctors are unhappy with?”
“No, not at all. Why?”
“Well… to be quite honest I’m being made to feel like I’m not pulling my weight around here, as well as not doing a very good job at what I do do.”
“Mandy, I’d like to think if one of the doctors had a problem with you, we’d have the balls to talk to you about it…”
(Pause here to laugh at old doctor mentioning having ‘the balls’ to do anything.)
“… is there something specific that’s going on, or is it everyone in general? The doctors?”
“No, it’s quite specific. It’s actually *Name of Person*. I don’t know if it’s a personality conflict, or if she really just doesn’t like me, but to be completely honest, she treats me like crap.”
“Wow. Really, her? Honestly, I never would have thought. Maybe *Name of Other*, but not her. I usually notice things like this around the office, but I really had no idea. Can you give me an example of what’s happening?”
– I relay a few of the incidences that have occurred in the past few weeks… crying of course. I’m a huge baby. –
“I think I really ought to have a talk with her…”
(Pause as I start to try to say I think that will make things worse.)
“… You don’t have to like her, Mandy… you don’t have to be friends. But there has to be respect, and there is ABSOLUTELY no reason why you should be unhappy to come to work. That is unacceptable, and something needs to be done about it.”
“I know. Everyone has mentioned in the past few weeks that I don’t seem like myself, and really it’s not because I’m pregnant or because I don’t feel well… it’s because I am tired of being treated this way, and I’m constantly trying to avoid giving her something to attack me over.”
“Well, that needs to stop. We like you. We hired you because we liked you. You can’t change who you are because of this. We’ll get it worked out. You have you be yourself, Mandy, don’t ever change that.”
And, that’s about it. I’m afraid of the fallout that may occur when he talks to her, I’m afraid that things might get worse. But can they really get worse? I hate going to work. I don’t enjoy my day like I used to. I leave mentally and physically exhausted, and come home crying – all because of one person? He’s right, it has to stop. If not because he talks to her, then I need to take some initiative myself, and let her know her actions are unacceptable. Forget the fact that she has about 10 years seniority on me. She doesn’t have the right.
In other news… still pregnant, still getting fatter, and ready to have a baby! Only 18 weeks to go. Getting the nursery painted this week (I have helpers!) and we picked up the crib/dresser/changing table on Friday. I’ll post pictures as soon as it’s mostly done, I promise.
Still no names for the kiddo. I’ve got a great list of things I like, and none of them that we just LOVE. It’s a work in progress. Tough to name a half-made kid.
I think I need to start a petition for Brock to leave my lap top alone so I can post more often. Anyone willing to sign and send it to him, let me know. “Free the Mac – Bring Mandy Back.” How catchy. I just thought of that.
