Target of Workplace Bullying Labelled SCHIZOID

by Lucas

I was bullied once. I was twenty six years old and came to Melbourne from Queensland. I was going through a divorce and also left my job. A friend of mine found me a position in Melbourne. He got me a job in the same company he worked and different shift. I was assigned to the mail room. He let me rent his unit until I got some money together for a place of my own. I was in the company nine months when someone decided to give me a hard time.

Her name was Julie and she was my supervisor. At first she liked me and often asked me out for drinks after work. I was going through a very rough time with a divorce and I didn't want to get involved with anyone else for a while. I knocked back two, three and even four invitations to go out and have drinks and then maybe hit the town. She turned on me and it all started with a list going on the wall.

The list was about, who could open the most mail and get it upstairs for processing the quickest! I was always last on the list but it didn't bother me I was doing the best I could until one day my name wasn't there at all. I asked my supervisor where's my name? She replied, "Everyone knew I was last so it didn't matter if I was on there or not." I took it personal and decided to not try so hard.

About a month later I was called into a meeting. I was told packages were being handed out but there wasn't any point giving me one as I wouldn't get anything so it was up to me if I wanted to stay or get help looking for another job somewhere else. I was interested in knowing why they wanted to move me when I wasn't even there a year. Julie my supervisor sat up and said, we think you might have some problems working with the other staff. I was then asked if anyone in my family had a mental illness.

The company wasn't corporate or some fancy important out in your face type of place but still it was a job and my job at that. I was curious to know why it was being asked. To my surprise I was given a heading and told to go home and read up on it because my behaviour described what had been written. The word was SCHIZOID. I was told I could be suffering from a mental illness but am not aware of it. The following day, with my head held high I went back into the office and handed my resignation! I thanked them for telling me what they thought about me and making it known before I had been there a year as that way I could avoid putting it on my resume. I said that if this is how you see me then I chose the wrong career and wish to say good bye.

Two months later I found a job in insurance. Four months after that I had enough money to rent my own place. Today, four years later, and I am proud to say at almost thirty one years old I not only work for the same company but am considered for a position as team leader in their house and contents cover, department.