Confronting My Toxic Work Experience

[@Incognito-s3l]

Toxic workplaces can really take you out of character. If not managed well, it can be fatal. We all been through this 😢

[@zamamchunu1431]

Ursula can I just commend you for your platform. real conversations featuring real people and their stories. Thank you so much, it feels like watch Real Talk on sabc 3 all over again

[@mirembehellen5387]

When you think you're the only one going through this kind of toxicity then this! Just this week my boss accused me of not writing some communication about something she claimed was discussed in a meeting. This item was never discussed at all, I approached her secretary who wrote the agenda, she said she never heard of such a thing. For the last one and a half years I have been humiliated and insulted by this lady in meetings. Infact on time she attacked me in my office and yelled at me. Then three weeks ago another boss asked me to carry heaps of scripts to the store which were supposed to be carried by some support staff. It's absurd.

[@nthabi_royaltymasango4915]

Shuuu what a conversation, i love the fact that Thato took back her power, most women die silently in those environments its soo sad.

[@Sinenhlanhla_Msomi]

This episode broke my heart. The things people are capable of putting others through is appalling. Such cruelty. Such hate. Where is/was the karma?!... on vacation for sure. Wishing you healing and all the blessings #Hugs

[@noluthandontlapo7528]

This is so heartbreaking, man. I'm glad Thato is doing so much better. But can you imagine treating someone so bad that you could actually be altering their lifelong physical and mental well-being for the worse? Like, no conscience even when you see them crumbling in front of you, knowing they didn't do a thing to deserve that.

[@kutalabam]

Hers is worse I know it too well, even if she doesn't say it and people think government jobs are nicer, safer, more conducive, No ma'am, I am a victim of this organization, I'm long off sick, I even got sick physically, sent me to a work psychiatrist who said how lucky that indeed I'm sick, mind you my spine collapses because of the furniture they make us sit on, case to sue right there and worse your personal issues are said you're the reason you're depressed in the first place...yhooo and Procurement, HRM & Finance are worse in this said department and promotion politics and favoritism is sickening and their EHWS helps with nothing😢😢😢sad, and aren't afraid to tell u your mouth will make sure you'll never be promoted. The hierarchy is so stupifiying paralyzing, corruption is law in lawless, supposedly lawful environment, and sex guarantees promotion not intellect, hard work or morals, every word she speaks bfr I finished watching this not even half way, sickening really...❤️‍🩹

[@thatoseema2586]

​@@kutalabamI am so sorry that you too had to go through the pain. I pray that God heals you❤

[@kutalabam]

@@thatoseema2586 thank u sis❤️❤️‍🩹

[@refiloedube4639]

“Falsely testifying against you”…. That sent me because I experienced the same. I don’t know what I’d do if I’d bump into my former line manager and colleague. This was back in 2022 and I’m still working through it.

[@nontokozodlamini8189]

Thank you for this conversation, this is a pandemic and so cruel that we cannot just resign, and this pandemic is evolving in a dynamic way. Hers was brutal and obvious, some of us, it is dressed in the robes of so called professionalism.

[@tswalomarivate4082]

Thato is so GORGEOUS😍

[@sinenhlanhlamlotshwa2133]

I took a lot of lessons my sis.. I love this episode... I'm at a place where people hate me for nothing and I will stand for myself... I hope to do better at work.... yes Depression and anxiety is difficult to heal but we bless God for healing...

[@rosewambua7363]

This is heartbreaking to listen to. Gods gonna evenge you because He does that for His children.

[@eben1465]

I can't believe this is more than an hour long, less than 10 minutes in and I was not sure whether to continue... Much love to you Thato, I'm wishing you well❤️

[@siphokaziqasana4863]

I always say, you will never win a battle against a boss. Once things turn sour, look for another job and just leave. Do not waste your breath by fighting, you will only end up with depression. When it comes to HR and the unions, the less said the better. When it comes to workplace bullying and abuse, you are on your own, literally.

[@msminorreviews]

In my working career in New York City I was a Union Representative and some of our Union members were working in toxic working environments because of being gay. It took time but we got over the mountain of fear and misunderstanding. Thank you for another powerful and insightful episode.

[@Tshifaro_WarriorPrincess]

Loved Thato’s closing remarks. Always choose to forgive and heal. ❤

[@thatoseema2586]

Unforgiveness and hate are too heavy. The Lord has given me the spirit of love peace and a sound mind and I chose that despite of what happened to me❤

[@Tshifaro_WarriorPrincess]

@ 🙏🏾 and I pray to see you making moves in big organisations. May the Lord bless your business and widen your territory.

[@thatoseema2586]

Amen. Thank you so much Sis❤

[@thomas_daughter]

I had a friend who partook in the bullying of a colleague. I eben stsrted to disliked this colleague she would complain about, meanwhile we were in two different provinces, lol. Only to find out their target was an only child and she was taking care of her sick mother with little to no help. The victim resigned tgr same day her mother died. I think she tolerated them because she needed the medical aid.

[@ntokozozulu4284]

He'll is waiting for your friend and the other bullies

[@BLewanika]

Oh no😢

[@anitasegal13]

I think that it's important that we learn to call out our friends and colleagues when they display bullying behaviour.But to do that everyone needs to be mature and open minded.

[@thomas_daughter]

@anitasegal13 it's difficult to do because then you too will be pushed out of the safety net, the mobbing team provides. No one willingly wants to be a target. There is strength in numbers....herd mentality

[@zandileqinisile7484]

This broke my heart, I do not think I could have survived this. I admire her so much for standing her ground.

[@Lebza7]

Amen to the last words!!!!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@vanessaaphane4867]

I needed this talk, I was feeling like I was the problem. But now I realize I'm not being emotional

[@thatoseema2586]

You are not the problem, the environment wants to make you feel like you are the problem. You start questioning yourself doubting yourself and being hard on yourself, don't do it.

[@goabaonecathrinekeganegile4252]

A much needed conversation! It's bad out here

[@annahshongwe]

Phew,toxic work is real. I thought we were the only ones affected by it in government

[@MsOwam]

South African Police Service this is the organisation this lady worked in. I was there for 10 years that department is putrid every single province in this country. I was the youngest in the unit I worked in, with an Honours degree.

[@Lebza7]

It's not SAPS but similar organisation

[@Mothabela_Bookreview]

She was working in the Military

[@jabulilemlaka6253]

That's makes sense😂.

[@ladiamia]

They lead from a place of pain! 🛎️🛎️🛎️ My last “leadership team” member told me “I am drowning, you should be too” =\ It has been a confusing statement. Not discrimination exactly…but this sentence you mentioned sums it up nicely for me. I am “almost destroyed” from my workplace(s)…and hope to seek refuge in entrepreneurship. This story gives me hope that I can smile again.

[@JabulileMathenjwa]

This story is so heartbreaking 😢

[@preciousntsandeni2007]

I’m so sorry.❤❤❤

[@Lebza7]

My last situation was with a company where i was working only with the MD with no HR, and being told how useless I am on a daily. I had no co-worker nor an associate who can relate. We worked at the MD's house whose family was always present. I could therefore see from their attitudes when i walked in every morning that it was about to go down. There were times when her kids would not even greet me when I've made mistakes in my reports. This, after i moved my family to a new town so i could be closer to work.

[@noluthandontlapo7528]

Just started listening, and Ursula and Thato's voices sound almost the same to me 😅

[@noluthandontlapo7528]

Even their laugh

[@VenoliaMaubane]

Even their beauty and hairstyle 😂

[@JohannaMaleasenya]

Same sentiments......maybe they are sisters.......

[@nokuthulamthimkhulu8008]

What a conversation i wish i had came past before i lost my job but then there's always a reason for everything 😢😢😢

[@teboJoh]

Eish I m still trying to heal from a toxic work environment 😢 we ended up retrenched

[@ajtechnicaldr]

Wow 🥰 I can truly relate to this topic. I experienced wrongful termination during my probation period due to people abusing their power. This led to five months of unemployment without backpay. Even after being reinstated, the toxic environment only worsened, and I didn’t even last a month before being fired again. Now, for the first time, the company has hired a legal team to fight against me as I challenge the retaliation at the bargaining council. Unfortunately, the person I asked to witness my case was fired before my first hearing, and my case has been postponed to the new year. Character assassination is real, and I’ll now have to present my case alone, without a witness. I remain hopeful for a fair review, so I can return to make things right for those I left behind - before eventually leaving on my own terms.

[@thatoseema2586]

I am so sorry to hear that you had to go through that. May God restore everything you lost due to this experience.❤

[@SannieThipe]

Ooh am so sad to hear this terrible story but god is the only answer and glad that you took charge of your life❤❤

[@zodumoxhavulani7289]

Oh Sis 😢😢

[@lebogangmathiba88]

Shoo...I feel so triggered. Luckily my contract is ending month end Jan. I'm even crying because you articulated what I go through but so well. I couldn't explain this to anyone, I didn't have the right words to explain what I went through. I'm currently praying for them though

[@ovr7881]

Some of the things she mentioned just did not make any sense whatsoever, until she mentioned that she worked for government and then it made all the sense in the world. This is such an important piece of context that the guest left out until the very end.

[@LifelessspyesFedex]

I needed to listen to this. You are talking just about me here. This is how i was treated. I was hospitalised diagnosed with depression due to bullying and micromanagement that involved surveillance app at home too. They are fighting amongst themselves others are fired now. Workspace bullies are ruthless. Women hate other women jealousy

[@thatoseema2586]

Every now and then I come to read the comments and when I come across stories like yours it breaks my heart. I cannot help but go to God in prayer and all for strength to help many who are in the same situation I was in. When I told my story I knew it was not just my story but the story of many. May the good Lord come through for you. May He fight for you.

[@tswalomarivate4082]

The reason why Senior Managers in a lot of the Government Departments feel so entitled to mistreat employees that report to them is because there are no consequences for their actions. They don't go for training on how to firstly be a manager and how to manage their emotions when they are in those positions. They keep perpetuating the cycle of abuse they've experience from their seniors (and dare I say the environment they come from) instead of being of the managers they wish they had when they started out.

[@ikagengmalepe7530]

Thato can pass as Ursula's sister❤

[@mandimg_1804]

I came to see if someone thought this too. Even the way their voices are similar. 😂❤

[@devrolll]

Ursula is Soo funny please 🤣🤣

[@XoliM_space]

What a relatable experience 😢and many of us are going through this

[@Precious-d6b]

I really wish i could hear a good workplace story..... kuningi emsebendzini bafethu😢

[@Shockprotect]

Dope ... Realeboga Thato

[@WisdomQuest_SA]

Could you please share her details plus her organisation.

[@LM-he7eb]

Her linkedin profile is on the profile.

[@Leigh-y8q]

Ursula's face @ 07:30😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@palesalesa5705]

I worked at 2 places that operate like this absolute despicable places that I wouldn't wish on anyone

[@rosejoshua5189]

Hello..hello..hello...your fan here in BW🇧🇼🇧🇼🇧🇼

[@LM-he7eb]

I want her to succeed so bad. I suspect my friend is like this at work.

[@pinky4636]

Yoh ! Your story sounds so familiar. Story of my life 💔😢

[@memorymotha6440]

I once experienced that. I really couldn't take it anymore..

[@ntokozozulu4284]

You need to sue them find a lawyer pro bono..im so angry

[@MissCombs1511]

May I tell you something weird? I have been working since 2006, excluding this year, none of the companies I worked for exist today. Majority of them were toxic!!! All collapsed within a year of me leaving. My God was not playing with me. So why did I say excluding this year? It's because my Specialist Psychologist forced me into Mental Health Sabbatical due to work. She STILL has not cleared me for work due to how deep the trauma was. 🤔

[@thatoseema2586]

The trauma is real and it's deep. May the good Lord continue to fight for you. I pray for your healing that God may heal you and make you whole again. ❤

[@MissCombs1511]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏾 I co-sign what you are saying about being called by your former employer to help. You said that as a message to them from God.

[@Mothabela_Bookreview]

It is so normal in that department to do this.

[@Ngunikaz]

If your manager treats you unfairly , you report to his manager , engage your union and HR. Those are the options.

[@thatoseema2586]

All that you mentioned was done and it didn't stop the abuse from the supervisor. As for the union, I can do a whole episode on that one. Remember it's not as easy a you say neh

[@MissCombs1511]

Your thorn helped you find your purpose..

[@thatoseema2586]

Indeed.

[@Ziqelekaziiii]

Ursula has been saying soo many "Yhoos" internally 😂

[@umakhumalo101]

And they love saying "we are at work here, asizile ukuzoncengana" which is true, we are at work, HOWEVER, asizile ukuzohlukumezana also... 🤷 I hate with a passion bandla people who abuse people at work.

[@vuyisilemlangeni3354]

Can we also talk about us not being able to enjoy our money cos of the varsity fees😢

[@LM-he7eb]

I know of the menendez brothers. Didn't know they had a movie/documentary/series. But, either way, I will not watch it. Just hearing the aunt's testimony a few years back, was more than enough for me.

[@MissCombs1511]

It's a different story.. that was about 2 brothers who killed their parents..

[@LM-he7eb]

@@MissCombs1511 Okay. And what is this one about?

[@anitasegal13]

The sad thing is that the bullies encourage each other and gang up against the victim..They take pleasure in hurting others emotionallly and show no insight into their own behaviour .This lady's experience is sadly common in the workplace ,with HR conveniently looking the other way.

[@RubaJust]

What is the orgs name??

[@SA_CrimeWatch]

The way im so lazy i would have enjoyed just sitting under the tree doing nothing but getting paid🙃😭😭

[@sinazonongena7541]

I hate bullies😥

[@sinazonongena7541]

I learnt in my first year in corporate that hr is not there to protect any employee but the company!

[@LM-he7eb]

This is why I don't believe in "bekezela". If Thato was not a perseverant person, she would've used those 2 years freelance & looking for work elsewhere, while still working there. I would've enjoyed chilling in that 2years

[@evahrakuba]

My thoughts exactly

[@LM-he7eb]

@@evahrakuba She is a hardworker, so loafing around bothered her. As long as I was getting my salary, I wouldn't care. In fact I'd be happy that I was away from toxic people. I would work as a virtual assistant online, while at my job.

[@fatsomots1923]

lmao that "anonymous survey" that you complete as an employee ... Is it really a safe space ? 🤣

[@AphiweNodada-zw7pw]

Givens voice reminds some guy who works at Metro FM it's not Jay Jay , Naked DJ yes.

[@nae1487]

Jay Jay

[@LM-he7eb]

33:00 I know exactly what she means

[@willienandi6378]

Looks like SAPS....and you were in procurement. Were you not blocking their corrupt deals perhaps? Terrible people.

[@KatlegokgwathangHendricks]

Thato i HV no words for U lala I thought it's only dat department BT dear trust me evn whr I am nw Im still fighting u y ddnt U tag me wena pls inbox me gasekowa sekwano