Nasty co-worker

[Marigold2]

This is kind of a long story so I will really try and shorten it. Yesterday I found out that our office manager (Anne) who does billing (I work for a Dr's office) signed herself up for a class and did not sign me up. I get a call from her supervisor (Karen) when I got to work yesterday at 11:00 asking me why I was not signed up. I told her I was not given the info and I was told to go. The class was today at 7:30 am. It's downtown and I don't drive on the expressway so I look at the office manager and she says
"my husband is taking me" ok you made it clear I can't get a ride from you so I call my husband who works downtown and he will take me. I then ask for the address and am told by Anne I will recieve it when and if it is possible to get me signed up since it's the day before. About an hour later Karen calls, gives me the number and tells me to make the call myself and get signed up. So I do.
Right before Anne leaves she comes up to me and says " do you have my home phone number?" I told her no so she writes it down and says to me
"If you can call me in the morning before you leave maybe I can ride with you and your husband as my husband does not want me to go alone"
Ok so this is the person who signed herself up without telling me, told me flat out I couldn't get a ride with her and is now asking me for a ride.
Yes I wanted to deck her, right there in front of the copy machine, next to the postage meter. Instead I waited till the end of the day, went into the Dr's office and explained the whole thing to him, I ripped up her phone number in front of the Doc and told him flat out I would NOT be giving her a ride.
This is after I brought in peppers and tomotoes to share with the office since I have tons. I have tried really really hard to get along with this woman but I am now done. I called Karen and told her I will no longer be speaking with Anne unless it is business related. No more " Good Morning, how was your weekend, yada yada stuff.
I also know that Anne is in trouble now and that the backlash is headed my way. Has anyone ever had a toxic coworker like this, any advice?
Do you think it is ok to not talk to this person unless I need to? Karen is not in the office often and Anne is the office manager. I feel like telling Anne that I will not take orders from her any more only those that come from Karen. This whole thing sounds so junior high I know. Thanks in advance for any help

[Catty1]

Is there anyone in a position of seniority above Karen you could talk to about this? Can the Dr do anything about it?

The only backlash you will get is from this idiot Anne...and look at where it's coming from. A poisonous person!

{{{{hugs}}}}

ETA: Update your resume and just look at ads and see what's around. You might find something you like...and that may give you more leverage in your position.

[RICHARD]

First thing?

Go about your day with as little or no drama in your "way".

kinda keep a little note book of what is going on and when you have to deal with her, do it the most professional way possible.

If you go to management explain the problem. DON'T make it sound like you are NOT going to do things with/for/against her.

Tell them that you just have some doubts as to the way you can work with her and if they may have some advice.

When you go in and start tearing things up and saying, "I will not/won't..." you can easily get labeled as a person who 'doesn't cooperate'. Take a deep breath be as monotone/neutral as you can be and have patience. If she is the AH that she seems to be, she will sink herself.

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One way to get around the BS abot signups is suggest a board where stuff like that can be posted or take the initiative to ask about up coming meetings/training sessions.

[Ginger's Mom]

Richard has given you some excellent advice. Don't make her problems/attitude your problem; don't make it a big factor in the way you approach your day and work. You may find that you feel more stress the more you think about it. Just keep a notebook of the problems, keep up or enhance your work related conversations with the other people in the office, and do the best work that you can in this situation. People will see what is going on.

[Cataholic]

That STINKS! Nothing like stress at work- where many of us spend the majority of our waking hours.

If at all possible, I would try to move past this and get back to a place where you can be civil to one another. I have always found keeping up the tension takes way more work/energy/emotion than just moving past it. Doesn't mean that you like her now, just that you can be civil.

[moosmom]

I'd keep to myself. I wouldn't give her the time of day. She sounds like she's out to better herself and doesn't want you in the way. That's sad.