How do I deal with this office bully?

I've taken on a job, albeit temporary, from a woman who's working in another dept and also a temporary and now and again, I will ring just to ask her a few things, seeing as she was working here before me last week. I am surrounded by yellow folders on this desk (about 15) and I asked her if she'd seen something I was on the lookout for. She said, "Can you see a yellow folder on your desk?" I answered, "Well yes, there are loads". She then said, "Look, you're not listening to what I'm saying".

So what did I say 'wrong?' I didn't realise there was a 'skill' in listening about a folder!

What makes you think I'm colour blind, Ann F?

shes not a bully, just an idiot.

try to reorganize your desk so you can find stuff and have as little to do with her as possible.

The last answerer made me smile. Report It

I know this is complete but I have exp in this feild. I tried everything to work with this type of person and not work her at all. Several people complained about her about her on everything including racist and age discriminating remarks. They refused to fire her and I finaly quite. Report It

i was always told if someone do you wrong you do them the same way i have found out it's a better way to handle the sitution the bible teaches us to love one another the lord said with love and kindness have i drawn thee make that person sick with love easier said than done. Report It

Yes, it's a difficult one. I've treated people all different ways, but nothing really works. If I'm nice, I get treated like a doormat, if I stand up for myself, then I'm a trouble maker. You can't win. It's either stick the job or get out, really. Report It

you havent shown her being a office bully. maybe youre to sensitve for this job.

smack her nah im just joking just try talking to her and ask her wat her problem is with you or it might be just the way she is

It doesn't sound like she's a bully. I think you may just be sensitive. People are never going to act the way you want them to. You just need to adjust to other people's personalities when you're in the work place.

just go silent for a little while. put up with it. start looking for another job.

shes not a bully just trying to be smart p.s. are you colour blind just a thought

just be really nice to her, like too nice. that will make her feel more uncomfortable than you currently are.

Good Luck

Doesn't sound like bullying to me from what you describe. People get stressed at work and someone coming asking you things all the time can make you prone to snapping occasionally. Perhaps you need to be more polite and say "I know you're busy but if you could possibly spare a few minutes to help me out I would really appreciate it, sorry to be such a nuisance". I always find that the nicer you are to people the nicer they are back especially in offices.

Take her husband out on a date. That would teach her to be mean to you.

Next time she leaves the office rush off to the loo and take a dump into some tissue, bring it back and drop it in her handbag or leave it on her desk.