Power-hungry Woman Hungry for the Power She Doesn't Possess

Trust and respect is earned, right? I was bred to uphold the ideal that those in positions of authority over you, whether in an employment setting or in life, are to be held in the utmost respect. Through an unfortunate incident, I learned that titles are in name-only.

I am working temporarily for a Fortune 100 company in downtown Denver, one whose equipment you may very well use in your daily life, both at home and in the office. The office environment is frustratingly unprofessional. Schedules change upon whim, no physical cubicles with computers to work on, and lengthy delay in assigning system access, just to name a few. The first-tier manager has his own separate issues of unprofessionalism - sloppy business attire, favoritism to several workers who have no working sense of work ethic, negative verbal repertoires about the unprofessionalism both the company and the client, and constant complaints about how tired he is at work.

Concerned about a manager who feels the need to verbally call out or reprimand his employees in front of his or her co-workers while choosing to SIT on the desks of other coworkers who are allowed to take longer than allowed breaks and lunches, as well as the afore-mentioned acts of unprofessionalism, I was shocked to see that a well-respected company chooses to hire management individuals such as this. Watching the personal physical contact with said manager by these female employees, followed by "Sweetie/hon, can I get you something for lunch" or "I gave you ride home last night so you better be nice to me today" doesn't lend itself to a believable professional atmosphere.

I've also been bred to speak up for myself in a clear, professional and respectful manner. As it didn't seem viable to voice my concerns about the unprofessionalism to the unprofessional manager, nor to the manager above him who is never on site, I contacted my Human Resources. Logically that seemed to be the next step. Apparently not. Instead said second-tier manager proceeded to lambast me for contacting Human Resources. My guess is she was completely dressed by the HR office therefore feeling the need to direct some of it my way. She continued by threatening me with my job ("there are other options outside of this company") -- that's like telling me the sky is blue, thank you, I wasn't quite sure; and then hinting that it must be my stressful personal life that must be resulting in my bringing this up -- first, my personal life is MY business and second, the concerns about unprofessionalism have nothing to do with one's personal life, I'm still offended by them. While she promised to complete a full investigation, it became quite clear she was not interested in any others' testimony than those who would support her manager, i.e. the favorites. She didn't interview all employees as promised. At the conclusion of the interview, when it was clear that I was upset (intense humiliation and shattered ideals tend to do that to you), she refused to let me leave the interview, despite my two requests. Finally, in a five-year olds manner, I said "May I be excused?" One doesn't like feeling kept hostage in such a hostile environment.

Truly sad when a female manager feels the only way she can command respect is by steamrolling those who dare to voice an opinion while retaining those management personnel who will have neither opinion nor backbone.

Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that respect comes from within ~ respect for myself. My vindication will be in conducting myself as I was raised - respectful of the title, though perhaps not of the individual touting the title as they have discouraged my respect; and adhering to the intense work ethic instilled in me. That gives me satisfaction at the end of the day.