VelvetFreak is saving up to buy a house!

Cherryfudge

I hope you can make progress on the mortgage - mine is a little higher percentage-wise than yours but that's only because I went onto a variable rate in order to pay it off sooner, otherwise I'd have fixed at something below that. 3.5%... hopefully someone can improve on that for you. 
Your job search does indeed seem like a catch 22. Have you said that you'd be willing to take another job on your current level (if you would) in order to broaden your experience? Anyway the recruitment chap sounds helpful. Are you sure he's not charming and good looking too?  However I think you've done the right thing with a timely email to your manager. You might be able to get more experience in your current place.
Have a good weekend.

VelvetFreak

Cherry, I would be willing to take a job at the same level, but pay is an issue. Despite my boss's negative traits, he has decided to pay me quite well for some reason, which makes it hard to leave for something less. I had to work so hard to get to this level of pay and I really don't want to let it go. The Recruitment Guy is charming and possibly good looking Hopefully my email helps to make things better.

VelvetFreak

I had a very nice Saturday. This morning I had a visit from a friend who I hadn't seen in a while (used to work with her). We had a really good talk about life, relationships, etc. It was so good to catch up with her

Then I went for lunch with my friend M and we popped to the shops afterwards. I bought two dresses (didn't try them on in the shop, felt like living on the edge). Got home and only one of them looks good so will take the other one back I feel live I've spent a lot on clothes lately, but I must say that it's been really pleasant actually having decent clothes to wear I feel like the fashion is very good at the moment so have been making the most of it.

I have high hopes of doing lots of housework and putting the last coat of paint on the bathroom ceiling tomorrow (have been procrastinating it for too long!) I am finally starting to feel a bit more motivated to do things in the house, mostly thanks to the cooler weather.

VelvetFreak

Good morning and Happy Sunday! And happy first day of Autumn! Today looks like it will be really nice. Sunny but with a little chill  
I had a productive Saturday night and did two loads of washing so that I do not have to do them today 


Goals for today:

Shops:

• Return dress, maybe buy something else instead? Did not buy anything else
• Buy hair conditioner as have almost run out
• Get small amount of groceries 
• Go go hardware store and return a set of taps not used in the renovations, use that money to buy a shelf and brackets instead 

DIY Shenanigans 

• Install shelf and brackets in bedroom (paint the shelf first? )
• Put picture up in living room (or wherever I've decided to put it?)
• Do last coat of paint on bathroom ceiling

Housework

• Wash sheets and put them back on bed
• Wash towels
• Clean bathroom
• Run robot vacuum cleaner

VelvetFreak

I managed to get everything on my list done today and I must say, I am very tired!

I technically didn't spend any money today as I returned more than what I spent My shelf in the bedroom looks good and I'm very pleased with myself. I had a heck of a time getting it level but got there in the end I even did one coat of paint on the bedroom wall (the one that was destroyed during the Water Explosion Incident of 2019).

I really hope I can get a good sleep tonight. Not much looking forward to work tomorrow as will have to talk to my boss about the email that I sent. I only have a 4 day week as am taking Friday off as study leave, so am grateful for that.

PS. I can't believe it's March! What is this sorcery?!

Cherryfudge

That's a very satisfying list of accomplishments! Happy Autumn. (It feels odd to say that as it's nearly Spring here).

VelvetFreak

Monday is over. It wasn't a very good day. I feel awful. My boss doesn't want to meet with me to discuss my the points I mentioned in my email until next week, says he is "too busy" I had a chat with The Somewhat Decent Coworker who agrees that something needs to be done about The Annoying Coworker however she does not think my boss will ever do anything about it and she has a negative attitude towards the whole thing and doesn't really want to get involved or back me up in any of this, even though she has been witness to most of it. It's alright for her because she only works 3 days per week and gets to work pretty much on her own whereas I am the go-to person for The Annoying Coworker to harass.

I am feeling really defeated about the whole thing and really cranky that I am on my own and no one wants to help me. I've always had great performance reviews, always hit my KPIs and got full bonuses and payrises etc. I have carried the entire office of four (two of which are twice as experienced as me) through an entire program/system change and the craziness that comes along with it. I am the only one who has made the effort to attend every training, learn every part of the program, pay attention to everything and intercept mistakes left right and centre to ensure we don't get in serious trouble. My boss has never had anything but praise for me. And yet my reward for this is having to put up with the most unprofessional and rude person I've ever met, feel constantly stressed and sick and am being essentially bullied by a woman who barely knows how to copy and paste! I just want to cry. And quit. But I need another job first.

sashybo

Aww Velvet hugs to you, your boss sounds like a massive coward. Is there anyone else above him you could speak to? Could you raise a grievance about the annoying coworker as it's now veering into workplace harassment/bullying? 

I think you should tell your boss exactly what you've said here and tell him that he has to deal with the annoying coworker or you're leaving once you get another job. To be honest even if you can only get another job with less money that would be better than dealing with the stress this woman is causing you. No amount of money is worth being unhappy.

If your boss still won't take the annoying coworker to task I'd just do the bare minimum for your role, no more doing her work/fixing mistakes. That's your manager's responsibility not yours. He gets paid for that, you don't. Every time you ask annoying coworker to do something within her role document it, every time she doesn't do it, document it. If things go wrong/don't get done as a result it's not your fault, just act like a broken record and show your boss all the evidence of the many times you've asked her to actually do her job and she just hasn't bothered.

I know that's all easier said than done but as long as you keep covering her work as well as your own, your boss doesn't really have any reason to actually deal with the annoying coworker. He knows you'll do it so he doesn't have to confront her.

Do you get paid sick leave? If so then maybe you should get the doctor to sign you off with stress for a while and leave your boss to deal with annoying coworker's incompetence for a change.

VelvetFreak

Thank you so much Sashy
I have managed to get him to have a quick chat with me on Weds this week before I have a proper meeting with him next week. He wanted to talk to the others first before he talked to me (what the actual hell is wrong with him?! ) He always books our meetings for an hour before he has to leave to see a client (so he has a time limit and can boot me out of his office once he's sick of me talking) and he does it on a Wednesday when The Somewhat Decent Coworker isn't there and I have no support. I feel like he does this on purpose to make sure I can't actually have a productive meeting.

If nothing comes out of these meetings and I'm still feeling like rubbish/getting harassed I will go to Fair Work (organisation in Australia) for advice and make a report or can go to the Boss at one of our other offices. They are all owned separately but at least he might be able to give me some advice or talk some sense into my boss to get him to realise how serious this is. I have already started documenting every obnoxious thing that she does and says and every mistake so will keep doing that.

 I do get paid sick leave and have just over a weeks' worth that I can use, so I will do that if need be. I have a doctors appointment on Friday so I will talk my doctor about what I can do if I feel I'm getting too stressed and can get a medical certificate for a few days off.

VelvetFreak

Happy Friday everyone!
The last couple of days have been a bit crazy. I had a talk with my boss on Tuesday as I was shaking at my desk after yet another incident with The Annoying Coworker and almost had a crying meltdown and I couldn't take it anymore. Our conversation was 50% productive and 50% insulting but I'm glad I said something and could get it off my chest. I almost cried the entire time, I was so upset I could barely talk but I think I got most of my points across. And then I bawled my eyes out all the way home. I have today off and my boss is supposedly having a talk with The Annoying Coworker while I am not there. I must say that I am nervous about what kind of sh!tstorm I might come back to on Monday, but nevermind

I have had a productive morning, I went to my GP earlier and talked about The Work Situation and she is referring me to a psychologist so I can get help for work related anxiety issues, so I am happy about that. I have also applied for a job this morning and realised I made a minor mistake with one word right after I sent my application (I put the job title as "TrustEE Officer" instead of "Trust Officer"), I hope it doesn't hinder me too much. This job is not what I would usually go for but I do have relevant experience and I think I would enjoy it so I thought why not? And the pay is quite good.

Anyways, earlier today I received a call from a Different Recruitment Guy and I have an interview on Monday for a role that is more what I was looking for. I have to do it at 2pm (so take a late lunch break), which is stressful but do-able. Fingers crossed!

I also just had a phone call with a mortgage broker who is going to help me get a new loan with a better rate, so am just waiting for her to email some information through to me to have a look at.

My friend is coming over at 3-ish to record an assignment with me (and oral role play). It will be horrifically embarrassing but has to be done!

It has been a busy day and it's only lunch time. Hoping for a good sleep tonight.