What a difference a year makes

One year ago today I was starting a new job.
A job that seemed to have great promise and potential with what appeared to be a great organization.

I remember interviewing for this job thinking how great it sounded and then when I was offered the job I was ecstatic! I really thought it was going to be something wonderful.

Yesterday, I quit The Job.
And I could not be happier.

What a difference a year makes.

Anyone who reads my blog knows that I've been dealing with a lot of stress and other nonsense at The Job. My former boss was (still is) a bully. The person in charge of our regional office wasn't much better. I had a few "work friends" who supported me, but I also felt like I could only trust a couple people at the office. All in all it was a very toxic, unhealthy place to work.

Last week I started having horrible stomach pains. I couldn't eat. It was a constant pain. And it lasted all weekend. Kevin and I discussed my options and decided it would be in my best interest (physically, personally and professionally) to just walk away. Be done with these people once and for all.

And so, on Sunday afternoon, I drafted my letter of resignation:

I am tendering my resignation from XYZ Organization, effective today July 18, 2011.

I can no longer come into work every day and be confronted by bullying and hostility. Your negative attitude toward me and my position in this organization has been amplified over the past few months, creating a hostile and toxic work environment that is affecting me professionally, personally and physically.

There have been numerous occasions where your actions were not only unprofessional and hostile, but they fall into the definition of workplace bullying. Your communications with me are written in a way that is not only threatening but also creates a sense of intimidation – ‘do this or else.’

My mid-year performance review in February spoke to my leadership with the communications team and my exemplary work with the [organization's] social media accounts, and yet in March of this year, everything changed. I was verbally assaulted by another manager who called me an inappropriate name while I was at the corporate office and at the same meeting you chose to ridicule my need to leave a meeting early so that I could drive nearly four hours home to pick up my daughter at school. You told me it was “stupid” and I needed to decide what was more important. And then in mid-June I was subjected to nearly 45 minutes of verbal intimidation and veiled threats of termination – all based on unsubstantiated stories and false accusations.

I find it very unfortunate that an organization driven by a mission, a promise and, most importantly, a law that speaks about being considerate and caring and respecting others turns a blind eye when directors and managers bully their employees, treating them with a complete lack of respect and total disregard for their feelings.

This organization continues to create an atmosphere of bullying, intimidation and hostility directed not only toward me but also toward other individuals who have experienced the same mistreatment by management. That being said, I refuse to be bullied any longer.

This resignation is effective today and I will be leaving the Toledo office immediately, upon cleaning out my personal items.

Sincerely,
T.C.

I really REALLY wish I could have seen The Bully's reaction when she opened her email and saw this. I think it would have been a priceless moment. I kind of hope it ruined her morning if not her entire day. [And yes, I realize that is probably petty, but trust me when I saw this woman deserves to have a bad day or two. Karma is a bitch and it will come find her eventually. That's all I'm saying.]

As I pulled out of the office parking lot for the last time yesterday morning, it was as if a huge, heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt like I could breathe again. I felt relief.

I. Was. Happy.

Yes, things will be a bit 'tight' financially until I find a new job. But a friend pointed out to me that this is a fresh start - I can do anything I want. The world is my oyster. There's a great big beautiful tomorrow....OK, you get the picture.

I am going to refocus on what I want to do and on what is going to make me happy. I am going to spend a bit of time reflecting on what it is that I REALLY REALLY want to do. And then I'm going to work on doing it.