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norsegirlWe had a staff BBQ today and I ran into the woman who got my old position. It should be noted that evil-harpy-boss(Harpy) was actually involved in the hiring process this time (screened the resumes, conducted the interviews and invited people back for second interview/tests), so in theory, she actually has someone that she chose for this position.
The Replacement has been there only 2 months and is already wanting to quit. I let her know exactly what my experience there was like, including the "pitfalls" I made that caused Harpy to hate me (or at least what she said I did wrong) and tried to reinforce the idea that it's not Replacement's fault the job sucks and she's not doing anything wrong, it's all Harpy. The other woman who worked there, we'll call her the Sympathizer, expressed frustration that no one seems to know that all these assistants are just fine, and I indicated that I was sure that the ones on top understand the situation perfectly. Sympathizer then asked why, if people know that Harpy is the problem, is no one getting rid of her instead of ruining this endless stream of assistants that have the misfortune of working under her. I explained that the union is probably protecting her from this well-deserved firing.
I encouraged replacement to just wait out her probation, secure the permanent position with the union and then start looking for something less soul-crushing. Upon returning to the office however, I discovered that Harpy can actually extend her probation and keep her in non-permanent limbo as long as she likes. I desperately hope that Replacement can manage to hang on and that Harpy does grant her permanent status so she can then run off on her. I will be exceedingly disappointed if Harpy uses her power to withhold permanent status from another person and gets all her work done and then throws her away like so much used Kleenex.
Replacement's parting words as lunch ended were "I don't want to go back. Just thinking about going back to the office makes me sick to my stomach".
On the bright side, it does make me feel pretty good about my own strength. I lasted 7 months under the Harpy without quitting, and probably made it 4 or 5 before I even got the idea to quit. I think I was at least 3 or 4 before the "sick to my stomach" phase. And frankly, she hated me far more than she hates Replacement. Also makes me feel good to know that my reaction to her treatment (the physical illness) is not unique to me.
The Replacement has been there only 2 months and is already wanting to quit. I let her know exactly what my experience there was like, including the "pitfalls" I made that caused Harpy to hate me (or at least what she said I did wrong) and tried to reinforce the idea that it's not Replacement's fault the job sucks and she's not doing anything wrong, it's all Harpy. The other woman who worked there, we'll call her the Sympathizer, expressed frustration that no one seems to know that all these assistants are just fine, and I indicated that I was sure that the ones on top understand the situation perfectly. Sympathizer then asked why, if people know that Harpy is the problem, is no one getting rid of her instead of ruining this endless stream of assistants that have the misfortune of working under her. I explained that the union is probably protecting her from this well-deserved firing.
I encouraged replacement to just wait out her probation, secure the permanent position with the union and then start looking for something less soul-crushing. Upon returning to the office however, I discovered that Harpy can actually extend her probation and keep her in non-permanent limbo as long as she likes. I desperately hope that Replacement can manage to hang on and that Harpy does grant her permanent status so she can then run off on her. I will be exceedingly disappointed if Harpy uses her power to withhold permanent status from another person and gets all her work done and then throws her away like so much used Kleenex.
Replacement's parting words as lunch ended were "I don't want to go back. Just thinking about going back to the office makes me sick to my stomach".
On the bright side, it does make me feel pretty good about my own strength. I lasted 7 months under the Harpy without quitting, and probably made it 4 or 5 before I even got the idea to quit. I think I was at least 3 or 4 before the "sick to my stomach" phase. And frankly, she hated me far more than she hates Replacement. Also makes me feel good to know that my reaction to her treatment (the physical illness) is not unique to me.
