DifficultSpeed9636's journey

I recently experienced a shocking turn of events after moving continents for a new role as a Director at my company, where I had been working remotely for two years. I was excited about the opportunity and had made extensive preparations for my move, including managing my health records, arranging care for my mother, and even securing a business license for my rental property. However, on the very day I arrived in my new country, I was blindsided by an email from a boss I didn’t even know existed, accusing me of a lack of commitment due to my absence from meetings while I was in the midst of relocating. Despite having communicated my situation to my direct co-director, who had initially been supportive, it turned out she was not on my side and had complained about me to this surprise boss. Almost immediately, I was demoted in a team meeting with 40 colleagues present, which was incredibly humiliating. The co-director wasted no time in undermining me further, sending out emails to the team stating she was the sole director and instructing them to exclude me from management communications. To make matters worse, I was already dealing with physical limitations due to a past injury, and when I discussed my need for accommodations, she dismissed it as a 'problem.' It felt like I was being actively bullied and isolated, with team members even reporting that they were told not to engage with me. My entire portfolio was taken over by her, and any attempt I made to explain my situation was met with resistance. Despite having over 15 years of experience and having led international teams through crises, I found myself in a toxic environment that was incredibly isolating and demoralizing. I kept detailed notes of everything that happened, knowing that I needed to protect myself. In the face of this adversity, I decided to channel my energy into creating a resource I wish I had during this ordeal. I developed a project called 'Wild at Work' aimed at helping others navigate workplace toxicity and isolation. It has been a therapeutic outlet for me, and I hope it can assist others who find themselves in similar situations. I’m grateful for my career and the network I’ve built, which has provided me with support during this challenging time. I truly believe that if I were earlier in my career, this experience could have been devastating. Now, I’m focused on moving forward and helping others who might be struggling with similar issues.