I worked for the same company for seven years.
I started out as an admin assistant and worked my way up to being the admin coordinator.
Two years after I started, my best mate, Emma, joined after I recommended her for a job.
I showed her all the ropes, explained the ins and outs of the place, gave her the right contacts, and even covered for her mistakes in the beginning so she wouldnt get sacked.
We always had lunch together, had cheeky Friday drinks after work, and honestly, I trusted her more than anyone.
Six months ago, word got around that a managers position was opening up.
My boss told me I was one of the top candidates.
I started coming in extra early, leaving late, taking on more than what I needed to.
Emma kept telling me, That jobs yours, youve earned it. I told her everything even my ideas and how I was going to approach the internal interview.
But on the interview day, she turned up as well.
She hadnt breathed a word to me about it.
I only realised when I saw her waiting outside the managers office.
She just looked at me and said, I decided to have a go. I really tried not to think the worst of her.
A week later, the results were out shed got the job.
I just sat at my desk, staring at the screen, completely numb.
After that, things got strange.
As the new manager, she started changing up processes Id put in place.
She cut me out of certain projects and made me do pointless reports.
A colleague told me shed been saying I lacked leadership skills and that the ideas shed been pitching to the higher-ups had actually come from me in the first place.
One day, I confronted her over a coffee: Why did you say those things about me? She just replied, Its work, its not about friendship.
I had to secure the role. I reminded her of everything Id done for her over the years.
She shot back, That was your decision.
No one forced you.
Since then, the atmosphere has been unbearable.
She talks to me like Im a stranger, corrects me in front of everyone, dumps petty tasks on me.
I go home in tears, anxious, sometimes wishing I could just quit.
But at the same time, it would eat me up inside to walk away quietly.
Now Im stuck at a crossroads: do I just keep my head down so I dont end up out of work, or do I resign and start all over again?
If it were you, would you stay or would you leave?
