TOO MUCH DRAMA!! DRAMA SUCKS!

Man, what a week. I don't even have the words to describe the drama at my work this week. You know when you just want everyone to just get along, respect one another (not necessarily like each other or be someone's best friend). So what is the value of relationship in the work place? It sucks when an assumption and misunderstanding get blown out of proportion, and both sides are telling the other to not "over-react". At any rate, it involves my Lease Admin, who I have come to respect. She makes it a point to be truthful and honest, and at the same time stand up for what she believes in. She is also gay, and by that alone places her as a minority in my office. Basically, she was implicated on suspicion that she aided a temp (who worked for us for a few weeks) to write a complaint email of certain 2 certain individuals not being productive, being discriminatory, both racially (may have been mis-interpreted though), and socio-economically (the temp was a Latina, who had an accent, but was very intellible, and in fact co-owned a business with her husband). The email was sent to one of the chief officers in our company, and our regional VP. The attempt to retract the email was made, but with no such luck. The temp did apologize for sending the email, but felt something did need to be said, because she felt her treatment during her short time was basically not fair.

The 2 individuals were brought in by our regional VP and after that meeting, started to speculate who in the office could have helped the temp write such a revealing email, and had the knowledge of who to send it to. Somehow, my Lease Admin was implicated and suspected of aiding, which she had no idea of the content at the time, had no part whatsoever. I believe her. My portfolio of properties have major tenant issues, so there is barely any time for her to have been involved in such a scheme. And this is the part that pains me, and just makes my heart drop: the 2 indviduals, (whom I like to say I still have good rapport with, and some goodwill) are fellow Christians. What they did not too long after the initial incident, was to try and have my Lease Admin's emails and internet monitored and traced. Our VP said "no" and denied such request. But the 2 individuals tried to go behind the back and still do it by contacting the head of our IT at our corporate. The request got wind of HR, and HR notified our VP, which led to a formal written reprimand and warning to improve behavior, or _ _ _ (I don't know what the reprimand actually is, but it wasn't good). What it has evolved into, is a big chasm between our side of the office, and the other side, filled with "dirty looks", some snares, some trash talkin, and unhealthy behavior. It has driven my Lease Admin to tears. (who is recovering from a back surgery to fix her spine, after a horrific accident).

How horrific you wonder? She was run-over by a large construction truck (not at full speed, but you can do the math of size ratio) and basically folded in half. She was asked by her corporate to take pictures of construction of a new Sketchers store at the outlets in Barstow (near Las Vegas), which was outside of her job description, and (in my opinion), totally stupid request. The truck operator, "accidentally" got back into the truck and didn't see her. It is considered a miracle that she was still able to walk, but damage was done, leaving unbelievable discomfort constantly, and leaving a lone individual the ardous task of trying to get justice, by way of lawsuit, and experiencing shady lawyers in the process. She is a fighter, with a strong spirit, and will to live the most honest life she can. I actually am very blessed to work with her, and have learned a lot of "loving thy neighbor" and being a light to her without throwing Bible or judgement her way. So anyhow, that add's context to the difficulty my Lease Admin is, emotionally, physically, and pyschologically.

I think in illustrations; it's the only way to help me understand the world. I liken this situation to a couple of kids playing with toys and getting out of control, and a parent/teacher [insert desired discipinary figure] coming and taking the toys away to get them in check. The 2 individuals, are the kids in this scenario that got their "toys" taken away; my Lease Admin being the one who "took the toys away", but I mean that in a professional and mature way. She just wanted the courtesy of a quiet work environment in order to focus at her desk. (They all work in open cubicles). Anyway back to the 2 individuals. So naturally, they are reacting, in a not so favorable and unhealthy manner. I wish I could just tell them "GROW UP!!!" (these 2 are a few years older than I am).

So the tension and animosity since that time has grown into an ugly beast, that has gotten to me, my fellow accounting team. During the past month, another Temp came and gone (and she ended up writing a letter to our CEO, citing racial discrimination for not hiring her full time) and another Lease Admin quit suddenly, implicated my Lease Admin, and left abruptly to another job. I think her exit was unprofessional and showed lack of integrity. There is much more detail that I could write, but I'll be here forever, so I hope the jist of the environment at my work as of late, is understandable.

Why is it difficult to detach myself from the situation? In the past I could easily step back, if I know I am not involved and because I was just staff; but it's different now because I'm the manager. Gosh, things change when you become a manager. And if there is one thing I have learned from my previous companies, is that the manager must learn to have a backbone, to support his staff, when rightfully justified. It has become my issue because it affects the work needed to be done in my area of oversight. That's what's different about this situation for me. Quite honestly, it has drained a lot from me emotionally, and has left me confused of what to do. I've been praying for wisdom, and discernment on how I can somehow get accross the point that we in the office need to learn how to value one another. And I don't mean we all need to be best friends. We need to be professional, to respect one another, and one another's work space, and we need to heal. Re-arranging the office is the current quick-fix -- I personally don't think it fixes anything. If anyone has insight, or has advice, I humbly and am open to suggestion.

If you have read this far into my email (and you are someone I know), I will buy you lunch! Ha ha, you had to endure 20 min. of your time, when you just needed to scroll down to claim the prize! Seriously, I thank anyone for taking time to read this. I know I will look back on this and hope I learned something practical to apply as a manager. I guess I need to grow up too (in a useful way of course!).