I work at a private school as a domestic cleaner. We are a small group of 6 plus the kitchen staff.
For whatever reason one of the other cleaners is basically telling tales on me and the other lady I work closely with. She is the same level as the rest of us, working part time and same pay. But she is going to the matron to tell her that we are not pulling our weight and more needs to be done.
Unfortunately the matron and house mistress seem to think highly of her and listen to what she says as she has been there longer.
This lady was overheard complaining to matron about the level of our work, so we do know it is her doing this. We now feel that we are being watched all the time.
We are starting to feel that no matter what we do, it won't ever be enough. Our workload is increasing all the time to add things that need to be done and was never part of our work before. We both work really hard, and if anything the areas that we look after are better now than before.
We have tried to talk to the matron to say that we are doing everything that is asked and more, but she doesn't seem to listen to us, just the other cleaner.
One problem with this lady is that she comes across as being really nice and caring and just saying / doing things for your own good. She has a really nice smile on her face when she is telling us where we are going wrong. So it is very difficult to say anything to her. I have also found out that she has done this before. She starts rumours or just says something about someone as if it is true, and she has made previous people fall out with each other.
We are all in our 40's and 50's so none of us are that young, and I just didn't expect this. I really have no idea what I can do about it. As I said the 2 senior people listen to her and seem to respect what she says, so we can't go them.
It all sounds pretty trivial writing it down, but it is starting to affect us all at work now. Whereas I used to enjoy going in, it now worries me what I will find when I get there.
Stupid puter, my reply has gone..
I'd love to say hit the b****, but you'd end up in trouble.
I think you need to speak to your boss, if that's the matron go over her head, ask for a meeting with all the cleaners to get this sorted.
People like her end up friendless, that will be her punishment in the end
I think you know enough of her history i.e. she starts rumours in order to make people fall out with each other, it sounds to me as though this is what she is trying to do to you and your friend.
I think I would be tempted to have a 'nice smile on my face' and point out where she's going wrong? after all she's quick enough to tell you when you are going wrong so you should be able to do the same.
I think you need to stand up to her and maybe confront her about what she is saying to the Matron, she's been overheard saying it. Or maybe make an appoitment to speak to the Matron or the House Mistress so that you have time to sit and discuss the rumours and ask them if they have any problems with your work.
I think you need to speak to the Matron initially, if she is the frist person you are answerable to. You need to be clear with her about how uncomfortable you are feeling and ask her straight out if there are any problems she'd like to discuss. Do you have a regular review of your performanc at work? These are the perfect opportunity for both sides to air any problems and resolve things like this. You could even put it in writing if you feel bad about speaking face to face.
If you get no joy then perhaps you'll need to go to whoever is next up the chain of command but hopefully it won't come to that.
ursh x
JaquiL I have written a whole script of replies and then lost it lots of times, it is soooo annoying!
We were discussing at work today what we are going to do about this, and feel that we do need to do something or it is only going to get worse.
We have agreed with what you say Christiesgal, that we need to speak to the matron ourselves and take it from there. The woman I work with and myself are going to get together and work out what we are going to say. Neither of us are very confident in dealing with things like this, so feel we need to prepare beforehand.
No, we don't have a regular review of our work, we have never even been given a job description as to what our actual roles are, which doesn't help when we are being picked up on things that we are supposedly meant to be doing.
Thanks for all the help.
I hate bullies.
And make no mistake, that's what she's doing.
That's why you HAVE to stand up to her. have to.
MM that sounds like a great plan of action to me, please let us know how it turns out.
ursh x
Trust me, your bully knows this, and it is why she bullies you. She knows that you are basically nice people who won't tell her to get knotted, and who would be reluctant to go to the Matron as it would seem like telling tales, plus you're not too confident about it. Bullies are amazing at sussing out people's weaknesses, and taking advantage of them.
I think if you and the other lady can get together, make absolutely sure of what you are going to say, and then go and see the Matron and ask her if SHE has any issues with your work, you will be able to get the better of this sad little bully.