Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
131
Woman Faces Consequences For Her “Mistakes”, Finds Out The IT Guy Was Planting Them On Purpose
Finding good colleagues is like hitting the jackpot—having someone who’s got your back at work can make the 9-to-5 grind so much better. But let’s be real; not everyone’s that lucky. Sometimes, you end up with a colleague who makes your life way harder than it needs to be, and suddenly, work feels like a never-ending nightmare.
For example, a woman shared her shocking story of how she spent 10 years dealing with workplace setbacks, only to discover it was all due to sabotage by an IT colleague. This colleague had been secretly altering her work, leading to missed promotions, financial losses, and immense emotional stress. Keep reading to uncover her story and explore the steps she’s considering to seek justice.
RELATED:
A bad coworker can truly make life unbearable, turning what should be a productive workplace into a source of constant stress and frustration
Image credits: Resume Genius / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
A woman shared how her professional growth was stalled for over a decade due to a former coworker secretly altering her work
Image credits: Daniel Martinez / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Altruistic-Face-9782
Image credits: Vlada Karpovich / Pexels (not the actual photo)
Difficult coworkers can make going to the office feel like a daily struggle
Navigating the workplace can feel like a rollercoaster, especially when you’re seated next to a colleague who seems to have missed the memo on teamwork. The impact of such toxic coworkers isn’t just about occasional eye rolls; it can seriously affect your well-being and productivity.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that 19% of workers describe their workplace as very or somewhat toxic. Those in such environments are more than three times as likely to experience harm to their mental health compared to those in healthier workplaces.
Negative attitudes in the workplace don’t just affect the direct targets—they can spread like wildfire, dragging down team morale and productivity. A disgruntled employee’s behavior can influence their colleagues, creating an atmosphere where even the most enthusiastic workers dread coming to the office. Navigating these tricky situations can feel overwhelming, but there are ways to manage them effectively.
The first step is to stay calm and professional, even when faced with provocation. Maintaining your composure ensures you don’t escalate the issue and allows you to handle the situation with dignity and respect.
Another essential strategy is to set clear boundaries. Politely but firmly communicating acceptable behavior can help prevent misunderstandings and establish a healthier dynamic. If the situation worsens, don’t hesitate to seek support from HR or management. They are there to help mediate and resolve conflicts in the workplace.
Image credits: Buro Millennial / Pexels (not the actual photo)
A supportive colleague can make all the difference, turning challenges into manageable tasks and workdays into enjoyable experiences
Having supportive colleagues, on the other hand, comes with several benefits. They can enhance collaboration, as teamwork truly makes the dream work. Working with cooperative and helpful people can make even the toughest tasks feel manageable.
Supportive coworkers also increase job satisfaction. When you enjoy the company of those around you, your workday becomes more enjoyable and fulfilling. Additionally, they provide emotional support, offering a listening ear when you need to vent or share a laugh, which can be incredibly therapeutic in a high-stress environment.
In contrast, toxic colleagues can have significant downsides. One major drawback is decreased productivity. Constant negativity and disruptive behavior can make it difficult to focus and get work done effectively. Toxic coworkers can also strain your mental health, leading to stress, anxiety, and even burnout.
In this particular incident, the author wasn’t even aware they were being sabotaged by a coworker for years, which makes the situation even more challenging to address. When dealing with such covert and harmful behavior, gathering evidence and documenting any suspicious activities is crucial to present a clear case to HR or management.
Transparency and accountability are key to resolving such issues. How would you handle a coworker like this? Have you ever faced something similar? Share your thoughts and strategies below!
People online suggested that the woman consult an employment lawyer as she shared more details about her situation
Poll Question
Total votes ·
Thanks! Check out the results:
Total votes ·
Newsletter
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
What do you think ?
CanadianDimes 11 months ago
I'd like to know what the people who answered 'let it go and move on' in the poll are smoking. This was 10 years of deliberate harassment to the point where her health was at stake, her professional reputation was damaged, and she suffered financially for his actions. Her company needs to make more amends than it has, and she should absolutely find out what her rights are. Letting it go means she's still being penalized financially (not getting the money back) and that she has to put more work into rebuilding her reputation than she should have to.
Amused panda 11 months ago
Whilst let it go wouldn't be my choice - and it isn't just the financial loss of travel costs, but the loss of opportunity for advancement and not receiving any bump in salary from promotion - I'd imagine some people might take the view 'this git has messed with my life for too long, I don't want pursuing what will likely be fruitless attempts for action to interfere with my future' or simply 'I want to forgot I ever knew him because he isn't worthy of my thoughts'.
Load More Replies...
Bookworm 11 months ago
I don't know about the UK, but I suspect in the U.S, you'd win a civil judgement based on the fact that this IT guy, who was apparently completely unstable (I cannot imagine that the screaming/assault incident that got him fired was the first-ever evidence of his issues), had complete access to everyone's data, and no one in the last 10 years had checked what he was doing with that access.
Just_for_this 11 months ago
First rule of a managed device, someone else ALWAYS has access to your stuff. Second rule is keep your own "receipts" if you get my meaning, BCC emails etc. In a small business of 30 ish people it's likely he was the only (or at least the senior after 10 years) IT guy. It's hard enough getting businesses to spend money on a new PC let along an independent IT specialist to audit its running. much easier to believe the woman was IT literate.
Load More Replies... CanadianDimes 11 months ago
I'd like to know what the people who answered 'let it go and move on' in the poll are smoking. This was 10 years of deliberate harassment to the point where her health was at stake, her professional reputation was damaged, and she suffered financially for his actions. Her company needs to make more amends than it has, and she should absolutely find out what her rights are. Letting it go means she's still being penalized financially (not getting the money back) and that she has to put more work into rebuilding her reputation than she should have to.
Amused panda 11 months ago
Whilst let it go wouldn't be my choice - and it isn't just the financial loss of travel costs, but the loss of opportunity for advancement and not receiving any bump in salary from promotion - I'd imagine some people might take the view 'this git has messed with my life for too long, I don't want pursuing what will likely be fruitless attempts for action to interfere with my future' or simply 'I want to forgot I ever knew him because he isn't worthy of my thoughts'.
Load More Replies... Bookworm 11 months ago
I don't know about the UK, but I suspect in the U.S, you'd win a civil judgement based on the fact that this IT guy, who was apparently completely unstable (I cannot imagine that the screaming/assault incident that got him fired was the first-ever evidence of his issues), had complete access to everyone's data, and no one in the last 10 years had checked what he was doing with that access.
Just_for_this 11 months ago
First rule of a managed device, someone else ALWAYS has access to your stuff. Second rule is keep your own "receipts" if you get my meaning, BCC emails etc. In a small business of 30 ish people it's likely he was the only (or at least the senior after 10 years) IT guy. It's hard enough getting businesses to spend money on a new PC let along an independent IT specialist to audit its running. much easier to believe the woman was IT literate.
Load More Replies... You May Like "Don't Expect To Be Employed By The End Of The Day”: People Give Vengeful Employee A Reality Check 39 Of The Most Creative Acts Of Employee Misconduct Ever Recorded Woman Can't Handle A 'No' After Coworker Refuses To Give Back Her Old Office Space
Viktorija Ošikaitė
Monika Pašukonytė
Gabija Palšytė
Related on Bored Panda
50
29