In April last year we got a new manager. From minute one she has been very driven and forceful. She knows what she wants and seems to not care who she tramples over to get there.
About 2 months after she started she was having one of her mega strops at me, and as this had been going on for a while I walked out. (well I got as far as the car park she then came out spoke **cough shouted cough** to me) I went back in. For about 2 months after she was quite pleasent to me, incouraging ( I won't use the word nice cause it wouldn't be true) and civil. Then she asked me to cover her job whilst she was away. When she returned I received A LOT of good feedback from various other managers and we had our best week to date for our KPI's. She also said she was impressed and that she would help me develop into doing her role full time. I covered for her another 4 or so times in the run up to Christmas.
There was a phase when everytime I was on my lunch break she would call me downstairs as the department was busy (most of the time it was not!) I mentioned this at my half year review and then instantly stopped. I did ALL the Christmas planning for the ENTIRE department (which is NOT my job). We had our most sucessful Christmas ever.
I received no thanks or praise.
On Jan 1st our store manager left. In the previous 6 months we had gone on very well and he was pushing for my promotion as well. Pretty much since that day she has been on my back, putting me down, complaining about me, taking responsibility away from me, cancelling my time off and accusing me of things that are just not true. She has also stopped me from covering when she is away. Instead she is getting someone who has only been doing our job for a year, doesn't not have the knowledge I have, and in return this person is stabbing me in the back to big herself up or put me down, and pretty mich has her head shoved up our managers a**e. My manager had also spent the previous 6 months telling everyone how bad she was and how she needed to be managed out of the business. Now suddenly she's wonderful.
It all came to a head this Monday. She was off. It was extremly busy and we were struggling to get any help from the rest of the store. At about lunch time the new store manager asked me as I walked past if I was ok. I couldn't answer as I thought if I did I would burst into tears on the shop floor. Later on in the afternoon I was asking the duty manager for some help. He said something, I don't even remember what but I walked away (I do have a temper and didn't want to lose it). At the time he was stood next to the store manager.
As I walked of the store manager came after me, once he caught up with me, he started to talk to me, and it became too much and I started ot cry. He took me off of the shop floor and for a coffee. I explained to him what had been happening over the last 8 months or so. I explained that I was so unhappy that I never had the drive to come into work and felt I was being prevented from doing my best from the unsupportive enviroment. He listened to what I said, I mean he REALLY listened. He said he thought I was really passionate about my job. He had already planned to speak to her about how she treats us and others. He was very supportive and I walked away from it feeling positive about the future.
I also said that I have tried to have this conversation with her and the personnel manager but felt that they were either very dissmisive of my point of view or I did not get my point across.
Later on I found out that someone else had also been to complain to him about her that day too.
Tuesday and Thursday were good days (She has been off mon, tues and thurs. I was off on Weds).
Today she was back. She didn't start until 1. I was the ONLY one on my department until 1 and worked my socks off and when they cam ein the department was in a very good place.
Nothing was said.
I then did not see her until about 5pm. She then started to have a go about nothing AGAIN.
I am not sure whether store manager has spoken to her or not but I do trust that he will.
I was supposed to finish at 4 but was still there at half 6. I left and she phoned me on my mobile phone and had a go that I didn't tell her I was going.
The ONLY reason I have not quit is my flat. I have a mortgage and my job is well paid. I have looked into moving to another place but the drop in pay would make it impossible to keep paying the mortgage and being one bed a lodger would not be an option.
So I looking for suggestions?
I am thinking of writing her a letter and telling her how I feel.
I am also considering asking for a transfer, although I wanted that before and she stuck her oar in.
How long should I leave it before I ask store manager of he has spoken to her?
I have emailed the union and am waiting for a reply.
I really am not sure anymore how much longer I can stick it out with her.
