Workplace bullying: A case study
Workplace bullying: A case study
A victim of workplace bullying recounting her experience.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz
Transcript
NARRATOR: Anette Goldschack had all but forgotten what it was like to enjoy life. Quitting her job has taken a great weight off her shoulders. The 50-year-old clerical worker was bullied at the office, where a former colleague turned her life into a living hell.
ANETTE GOLDSCHACK: "She talked me down in front of clients, telling them that there were things I couldn't do right. She'd point out things I was supposedly doing wrong and then yell at me. She told me I didn't handle myself well in front of clients. While I was on my lunch break, she'd spend time at my computer and examine my files. She simply went too far."
NARRATOR: For Anette Goldschack, it was the beginning of a tough journey. The work place was torture. The criticism she received was never constructive, and she felt torn.
GOLDSCHACK: "I was furious about the way my colleague treated me, but I just felt so helpless. The department supervisor intervened a few times and tried to smooth things over. But basically everyone more or less looked the other way."
NARRATOR: Her daughter Jasmin was the reason why she initially held on to the job. As a single parent, she didn't want to give up a salaried position. But from month to month, the situation deteriorated.
GOLDSCHACK: "I'd come home from work feeling completely drained. I was tired and didn't want to do anything at all. It was such a chore to have to pick up my child and make dinner. I felt paralyzed. And I couldn't manage to spend much time with my child."
NARRATOR: Soon things were practically unbearable. Anette decided to seek outside help. Psychotherapy was recommended to her. But before she could begin treatment, she had a complete break down.
GOLDSCHACK: "When I came home work that day, I started sobbing and I couldn't stop all night. The next morning, Jasmin came to me and said 'Mum, you look like a zombie. You're a wreck. You can't go to work like this.'"
NARRATOR: After suffering at work for two years, Anette Goldschack took her fate into her own hands and quit. She sought out psychological help in the nick of time. Today, she's like a different person.
ANETTE GOLDSCHACK: "She talked me down in front of clients, telling them that there were things I couldn't do right. She'd point out things I was supposedly doing wrong and then yell at me. She told me I didn't handle myself well in front of clients. While I was on my lunch break, she'd spend time at my computer and examine my files. She simply went too far."
NARRATOR: For Anette Goldschack, it was the beginning of a tough journey. The work place was torture. The criticism she received was never constructive, and she felt torn.
GOLDSCHACK: "I was furious about the way my colleague treated me, but I just felt so helpless. The department supervisor intervened a few times and tried to smooth things over. But basically everyone more or less looked the other way."
NARRATOR: Her daughter Jasmin was the reason why she initially held on to the job. As a single parent, she didn't want to give up a salaried position. But from month to month, the situation deteriorated.
GOLDSCHACK: "I'd come home from work feeling completely drained. I was tired and didn't want to do anything at all. It was such a chore to have to pick up my child and make dinner. I felt paralyzed. And I couldn't manage to spend much time with my child."
NARRATOR: Soon things were practically unbearable. Anette decided to seek outside help. Psychotherapy was recommended to her. But before she could begin treatment, she had a complete break down.
GOLDSCHACK: "When I came home work that day, I started sobbing and I couldn't stop all night. The next morning, Jasmin came to me and said 'Mum, you look like a zombie. You're a wreck. You can't go to work like this.'"
NARRATOR: After suffering at work for two years, Anette Goldschack took her fate into her own hands and quit. She sought out psychological help in the nick of time. Today, she's like a different person.