Update 6/27 - My office saga/I'm filing the complaint

I honestly walked out of that interview feeling really good gillyp. Of course, you always walk away and then spend thinking I should have said this or I should have said that. But I felt like I was able to answer all the questions with incredibly good examples. I had to be careful because on some questions I could not disclose particulars and they understood that I was holding certain things in confidence. There was one question about what I know about a federal statute and the reporting requirements for that statute. It is my opinion that no one would have known how to answer the particulars of the statute unless they were an internal candidate. However, I told them that there would be a learning curve for me in order to understand the ins and outs of that particular statute as my knowledge doesn't extend beyond general public knowledge, however, I was able to give examples of where I had done similar federal reporting. That I am familiar with the process and the sensitivity and accuracy needed. I also told them that in my current role I do review them to recommend approval to my boss. So I felt like that was the only question I could possibly have had an inadequate answer. I thought that they all seemed very welcoming. And the final question I was asked was regarding why I thought I was a good fit for the job. Now, their financial unit is one of my clients. So I was able to give specifics about working with their talented unit and why I thought my skills and my values fit into their current working team. They know me and have worked with me. So, I really feel like I have a fair shot unless they are angling to promote someone internally. They are doing interviews Thursday afternoon, as well, so the earliest I would probably hear something is Friday. Maybe early next week.

I also want to say that I met with my boss's boss on Monday. I explained everything going on lately in my unit. She said she was not only aware, but that she had given my boss a directive that since the assistant director (who she had wanted to transform into a mid-level supervisor above the two of us so he could alleviate some of the workload) was off on FMLA and now my coworker had been approved for FMLA, that my boss had until his meeting with her yesterday to come up with a plan to help me. And then I was transparent with her about wanting to file the HR complaint if something didn't change. She said, file it. She said she would absolutely stand behind me filing that claim. She said that she has written up my boss and she shares all my same concerns about my coworker. She said they will open an investigation and she knows her actions will be scrutinized but she is willing to take the chance that they will point out something she could be doing better. She said she wants me to think hard about whether this will be a good move for me, but that she has been limited in what she can do in regard to his lack of management and this might help her, as well. I should probably have disclosed that we are part of an unrepresented union. So we don't elect officers or anything like that, but we have specific rules about hiring/firing/write ups, etc. I think this is part of the reason why I felt a bit more comfortable going to Human Resources. Because I realize they can't just fire me without cause and I realize that there is a process that needs to take place in order for them to be able to replace him or her. So, she told me to wait and see what his plan is to get me help. I'm not optimistic because he keeps cc'ing me on issues that should be coworker's to handle. So, now he's even sending me work that isn't mine to do because she's taking intermittent FMLA.

Almost two months ago, I had requested the week of February 19th off of work and it was approved by him. Last week, Jeremy was able to choose his vacation time off. So I sent a message Thursday that said, hey I'm reminding you that you approved me to be off the week of February 19. And I am requesting X week off in May and X week off in September. Then I said, if you could let me know soon, I would appreciate it because I need to book campgrounds early. He replied that he approved my vacation in May and September. Yesterday at the managers meeting, he closed the meeting by saying, please consider staffing and departmental needs before taking vacation time off. He said that if your unit was going to have a struggle keeping up with the workload, please reconsider the timing of your vacation. Who was he talking to? Is he expecting me to cancel my vacation February 19th?

I know right?  WTH was that?  I felt like he was talking right to me.  He has never said anything like that in our meetings before.  And I'll just tell you that I have worked in this department for 8 years now and I have always been cognizant of my vacation requests.  However, I requested this before the FMLA for the two of them.  I didn't know they would be out of the office when I requested time off.