Female, 40. I'll refer to myself as "S" when needed. I work in a rehab facility. I've been there for 15 years and have a title similar to an assistant manager.
Enter my coworker. Male, 30's. I'll refer to him as "M" when needed. New to my unit. He's charismatic, self-proclaimed "funny guy."
I just want to start by saying that I'm not stupid and I know when something isn't right. I'm simply having a very hard time being objective in this situation. Please don't be too harsh.
We are assigned to, and work closely with, patients of varying abilities. M often disagrees with the way that I do things and will have my patients do something different or outside of their normal routine. No one has ever questioned my abilities. When I asked him not to allow one of the patients extra snacks, he said that he "understood" that I "wanted to prove a point, but it wouldn't hurt anything."
He stands very close to me. Closer than arms length. I've made him aware that I don't like it. Yet, that hasn't stopped him. He even stood right by me as I sat and ate my lunch. I ignored him by talking with another coworker and continuing to eat my lunch. This is when M decided to interrupt the conversation and say, "I know you're ignoring me right now. That's why I'm standing here." He does this all under the explanation of "being funny" or trying to get me to, "lighten up."
If he is talking to a group of people (coworkers or patients) and I happen to be in it, he'll say, "S, I'm over here." If I'm not paying attention or looking at him.
I've been so frustrated with him that I've been ignoring him a lot. Trying to stay away from him but he always seems to be around. He seems to thrive off of any reaction and gaslights me when I do react. (Comment that I must be in a bad mood. Negative energy. He'll come back later. That type of stuff.)
I was in the break room getting a drink when he walked in. He stood in the doorway while I was at the refrigerator. There is only one way in and out. He said, "I haven't seen you much today." I just looked at him. He stepped closer and said, "You haven't really been around. Were you somewhere else?" He must have seen me in the office talking with a managerial friend.
So I said, "I don't have to tell you where I go or have been." He just laughed, cause it's just a joke!
He doesn't say any of this aggressively. He doesn't talk this way to any other staff. He's always happy.
Am I really being harassed? Am I blowing this way out of proportion?
tl;dr: Coworker singles me out. Says that he is only joking. Am I being made the victim or just playing one?
Submitted October 09, 2014 at 02:55PM by narsiecyst http://ift.tt/1uF2pjI relationships
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