[ajurew1]

I just started part time at a very small CPA firm. I am training with two people on different tasks.

Person 1 sits near me while I am working and allows me to work through tasks and ask questions if needed. I enjoy working with this person and feel like I can learn a lot if given enough time, however my time working with this person is minimal.

Person 2 quickly shows me something one time, tells me to just do what she says, and gets very upset when I ask any question at all. Lately I have been mostly working with Person 2. The days I work with Person 2 are very stressful and awful. I get yelled at for everything (taking printed documents off the printer tray before I copy something of my own, moving the paper clip box and not returning it to the EXACT spot it was before, asking questions, not remembering how to put together files in the exact way she wants such as folding certain papers specific ways, stapling something a certain way, not knowing how to unjam the copy machine within 1 second of it jamming, touching my computer mouse before she tells me I can, putting a notebook in front of me to make notes and getting yelled at and told I don’t need to take notes, not pushing the files together enough after filing something, and so on). Her training style does not work at all for me, and the more I get yelled at for everything I do, the more stressed I get and the less I remember. I am just wasting my time and hers at this point because the training style isn’t working. I am not an idiot and have had very good performance reviews in other professional office jobs I have had in the past. I am not sure how to resolve this situation other than quitting. It seems like I will be training mostly with her going forward, and it seems like she is annoyed by my existence and doesn’t really want to deal with me.

Is this a hopeless situation or is there a way to make this work? This is only a part time job now and I don’t need the income. I have other projects I am working on for different companies that pay enough to support myself.

Let me be very clear that this is not my first professional office job. I have been working full time in professional jobs for 8 years and have never had issues like this before, and have always been able to learn new assignments by asking questions and working with people who are understanding that there will be a learning curve.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[Anonymous]

Person Two sounds like a nut job.

[Anonymous]

I think you have to stand up for yourself. You can tell someone in a nice but firm way that they aren't going to be disrespectful to you. If It continues, I'd have a meeting with your manager or HR rep. Even though it's a small company, I'm assuming that there is at least 1 person in the office that is the HR person.

[ajurew1]

Yes. How do I resolve the situation? Is it possible? I've never been treated in such a way before. I am a grown man and can deal with being yelled at for making stupid mistakes. But all the other things I mentioned below are not acceptable to me.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[Anonymous]

Assuming person 1 and person two are only trainers and not your boss, have you talked to your supervisor about this issue? If you express to the boss that your learning style and person 2's training style are counterproductive, the boss might be more apt to take action.

[ajurew1]

It is a family owned place. There is the owner and that is it.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[Anonymous]

But I also agree with billbrasskey. I think the person training you is crazy. Seriously.

[ajurew1]

Thank you. This is my first CPA related job and I was hoping I could use it to launch my accounting career. But it is looking like it isn't going to work and that I will just have to continue with my other career now.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[ajurew1]

The owner met with me last week and said he is hoping to move me to full time soon. But I just can't see myself working in a toxic culture like that where a person like her is able to remain employed that long. The office is so small that there is no way to avoid day to day interaction.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[Anonymous]

Resolve it with Person 2, if possible. I wouldn't attempt going above her head unless it is absolutely necessary, as that makes you look like you can't deal with conflict and sets up a permanently adversarial relationship with Person 2. Oftentimes, standing up to a bully will cause that person to have more respect for you.

[ajurew1]

Yes, thank you CaseyTX. I agree to a certain extent. I've delt with bully type people before. One time it resolved the situation and the other time the person's crazy level went off the charts and made the situation impossible.

At times I've been wondering if I am the problem or just doing a terrible job. Its easier to deal with people like that when I have some leverage in the situation, such as being a valuable employee at a company. But at this point I am just a new person with no value at all.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[ajurew1]

I think there are too types of bullies. 1. Sane bullies who know what they are doing. 2. Truly insane people who have no control over themselves. I think this person might be more of number 2.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[zoctoman]

I have worked in a similar toxic situation in which i was treated like absolute garbage. I never stopped being a nice, respectful person but It was rough getting through the day when my response to saying “good morning” was immediate eye roll and nasty comment.

I do not believe your current situation is sustainable if it stays exactly the same. The only encouraging thing I can say is imagine how great it will feel when you eventually find a nice work environment. I am at a wonderful family friendly firm now and I just got awarded a $200 baby gift for my upcoming baby and they even made me cupcakes. Your negative experience now will truly help you going forward.

Do not change who you are, hang in there during this time, and it is absolutely understandable if you stand up to this bully. I never did and I kind of regret it. I got fired before I had the chance!

Audit(11/5/13) - 89
Reg(5/16/14) - 86
FAR(7/18/14) - 82
BEC(11/14) - 85

[ajurew1]

Should I just quit? I really don't need the job for income. I was just hoping for some CPA experience for the resume, but the job is draining my energy so much that I am unable to focus on my income producing jobs.

BEC - 84 (4/13/2013)
REG - 82 (10/17/2013)
AUD - 85 (12/5/2013)
FAR - 75 (10/11/2014)

[alboreland]

I worked with a similiar person. She micromanaged every new person until she realized that person wasn't a complete moron. Even after that is was difficult. She was an ass kisser and everything had to be perfect for anyone above her. The funny thing is I learned alot from her in the long run, (except the ass kissing) but I give myself credit for sticking it out and not shutting down like most people did.

HR won't do anything. People complained about her as they left, but they just looked like whiny former employees. I don't think much will change as long as she does her job.

[hasy]

Person 2 needs to remove the stick from her ass. Anywho, don't go directly to the owner JUST yet. Given your rapport and description of Person 2, it seems commenting on her training style won't help you. I would talk it out with her. If anything, why don't you TRY and seek Person 1's help whenever you can? It's not like Person is your ASSIGNED trainer.

Also, try to resolve these issues with Person 2, the fact that you describe your work place as toxic means you aren't enjoying your work very much. If she persists with her abhorrent behavior, discuss it with the owner. Though at this point, I would start looking on Indeed and Linkedin for other jobs.

Life is TOO short to work at a place that you don't enjoy. I'm currently in my 90 day probation and a good 10% of me wants to quit, despite the position being overpaid for what I do. You should do what you enjoy. But always find a job first before you quit.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Author]

Replies