Dealing with Long-Standing Workplace Sabotage: My Journey and What to Do Next

For nearly a decade, I unknowingly fell victim to what can only be described as a long-term sabotage campaign waged against me by a former IT employee. As someone who has dedicated years to a medium-sized company and takes pride in their work, the ordeal has been nothing short of harrowing. Here’s my story and what I’ve learned about addressing workplace harassment and sabotage.

The Early Struggles

From 2014 until January 2024, I consistently found myself plagued by mistakes that were increasingly difficult to explain. My errors were diverse, ranging from incorrect calculations in Microsoft Excel to incorrect entries in spreadsheets. I even inadvertently booked my annual leave incorrectly. For instance, I thought I had scheduled time off from October 1st to 10th, only to discover I had, in fact, booked from the 3rd to the 13th. Such miscalculations didn’t just inconvenience me; they also had adverse impacts on my team and the business.

Additionally, I often submitted documents with embarrassing typos—for example, typing “counts” when I meant to say something different entirely. My feelings of confusion grew so intense that I began taking screenshots of my calculated data, only to find them mysteriously missing the next time I checked.

Unraveling the Truth

In February of 2024, a pivotal change occurred when our IT staff member, whom we will refer to as Bob, left after facing disciplinary action. His departure opened the door for our new IT professional to uncover a shocking reality. Within two weeks, this new staff member presented me with evidence showing Bob had been accessing my system without my knowledge—altering my work and even tampering with my annual leave records.

The realization that I had been sabotaged for years was devastating.

The Fallout

The consequences of Bob’s actions have profoundly impacted my career and personal life:

• Transport Costs: I lost the flexibility of working from home due to being perceived as “unreliable,” which resulted in approximately £250 in monthly transport costs from 2021 until February 2024.
• Stalled Career Progression: I was overlooked for promotions, causing stagnation in my professional growth.
• Damage to Credibility: My reputation and professional standing were severely tarnished.
• Mental Health Struggles: I faced significant stress that led me to undergo assessments