I work in a Military controlled

retail facility. Which means not only do we have to meet retail expectations but also the "standards" the military puts on us. We have people from all walks of life and ethnic groups working together, yet there is one that takes every thing to extremes. She bring her personal problems to work. If customers and/or associates "upset" her she blows a gasket and I am on the receiving end of it. She is my subordinate and yet acts as if what she says is golden and she has the final say. When I have tired to do my job, and correct her attitude and behavior I was told it was just me and that she was being misunderstood. This escalated into 22 people resigning because of her leaving me holding the bag. Corrective action was finally being put into place and after some"retraining" She was put back in her position and is now once again starting the same behavioral pattern. My hands are tied, yet I am made responsible for all the failure. I don't know what to do anymore. I have tried to get help outside only to be turned back around and told" use your chain of command". SO.... where do I go from here. I am afraid that if this continues I will eventually loose my employment.

Workplace bullying is a phenomenon that occurs is all areas and walks of life, in both the private and public sector. It occurs because, unfortunately, there are inadequate, insecure, narcissistic, and plain ole sick people in all walks of life. People take out their personal issues on others at work, and God forbid, they have a little power! They work out their sibling rivalry, Oedipal and Electra and all other kinds of complexes from childhood, in the workplace, where others become the targets and victims of their sick minds. Those who have been the victims of bullying know exactly what I'm writing about!

There are no laws in my state against this type of behavior. Numerous people have come and gone since they hired the ape bully. Still, no recourse whatsoever for his behavior and we'll never get rid of him. I choose to ignore him and focus on my job, which he loves to put down etc. His opinions don't matter to me and I'm happy, even though I will never get a raise under his reign. His reign will be long since he was let go everywhere else for being himself. He's found a good government job here and management chooses to look the other way.

it's amazing how pandemic this syndrome is! while women may be known to exhibit this impulse more frequently, gender has less to do w/this behavior than the bully's perception of individual power. some people need to watch other folk bend to their brutality. i try to keep track of my own sense of integrity and dignity and not bow to the pressure of responding in any way. it doesn't always work to deflect further abuses, but my own self-image remains intact -- and it's a good incentive for keeping one's professional "line" in the water!