The Troll Out Back

I have been at the same place of employment for 7 1/2 years now. For almost 3 of them, I was the only female employee. I like working with men because when they have a problem with you they usually let you know and move on without holding anything against you, while women tend to be much more caddy and mean. Since separating from my ex in summer 2003, I have dated 2 men. Both of them were also employees (although neither work with us currently). Scandalous, I know. Apparently, this was a problem for one of the women working in production. Blake mentioned comments she had made before he and I started seeing one another...a direct warning to watch out for me. I am not sure what she wanted him to watch out for, but whatever it was, she was pretty intent on making sure everyone knew. I remember feeling very hurt and angry at the time but sort of shrugging it off. Several months later (after my friend Diana started) a few more people were hired in production. One of them is a younger girl who Diana invited out for drinks one night. She also asked me to go and when she told little miss I was going, she said "Oh really? I heard she was a real SLUT." Diana laughed it off, and said "No she isn't!". Thanks for that, by the way, Di. I didn't really do anything about it when she told me but I did ask people I trust who it was that said it. It didn't surprise me at all to find out it was the little troll woman with the big mouth and bitchy attitude. One day I was talking to the general manager, and told him what was said. Not as an official complaint, but just to get it off my chest. He said..."Well, you did go out with Doug and then Blake." Thanks for the support, boss man. Good to know how that would have gone had I been offended enough to go that route.

Before finishing the rest of my story, let me say that I don't want to date someone I have never met and do not know. I am afraid of strangers and tend to stay closer to "home" so to speak. Also, I was with my ex since I was 23, and with someone for 3 years before him. I don't know how to date or meet people other than the people I come accross through work or friends, you know? That's just me. I am not a perfect person, and have made some relationship mistakes, but this is just not fair. She doesn't know me outside the office AT ALL! It doesn't make me a slut that I dated 2 boys from work, it makes me scared of new things. End of story.

So, we have this new provincial policy that all companies must impliment "Violence in the workplace" policies and proceedures. We are required to have a commitee and meet periodically to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and with respect. Guess who's on the commitee? Among others, me and the troll. Funny, the very thing this woman has done to me is listed as a no-no in the policy. Fostering rumours. Maybe someday I will actually come out and tell her I know what she said, but she strikes me as the type to just deny it anyhow. I will keep you posted on further developments and if it comes to a confrontation, I can't wait to tell you all about it.