After three successful years at Company M, I went to work for Company B. Company B offered more money, and that is all I saw and I ran. I didn't do any research.
A month after I started there, one of the girls, whom I will call Jane, took me aside and said, "Get out! I am telling you this because I like you and I know them. They will torment you. Get out!" She was right.
My manager divided our team of five into two groups. The protected group had three members; they got the least work, the most praise, and most profitable accounts. The unprotected group had two members (I was one of them); we got the most work, the least praise, and the non-profitable accounts. This was a strategy management used to prepare for bi-annual town hall meetings and annual audits. (Town hall meetings were when they announce layoffs.) They needed to have "bad" performers so they had someone to blame in case an audit returned negative results.
Being a member of the unprotected group was a mental torture that affected me physically. I would get unfeasible deadlines. Eight to 12 e-mails popped up daily from my manager, nitpicking my work. She would ignore my requests for authority to resolve projects, and later blame me for not putting in a timely request. If I did it right, she said it was wrong. If I did it wrong, e-mails circulated to tell everyone that I made a mistake. I felt incompetent and confused. I also started having throbbing headaches followed by dizziness and shortness of breath.
In the midst of this torture, I got pregnant. It got to a point where I was becoming dizzy in the middle of the day and remained dizzy until I got home. On the 28th week of pregnancy, during my lunch hour, I drove home. The next day I went to see my doctor and filed a disability claim.
After having my baby I started looking for another job. I dreaded going back, but I did. I took the attitude that it's my job, my benefits, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. On the second week after coming back I got an offer, and left the same day I handed in my resignation letter. I shouted out to the world that I quit. I couldn't believe how happy I was.
About the Author:
I am a budding entrepreneur. I am starting a business, Women Can Have It All, a place for entrepreneur moms to explore their ambition and creativity and become successful business owners. Learn more at www.womencanhaveitall.com.
