This might be a bit too personal but whatever…

Context is that my last job wasn’t exactly great, and it just happened to be when US science was having issues, so I left for a position in EU. Only joined for less than 2 months so still new. Problem is now that I’ve settled in a bit, issues at the new workplace have been surfacing… I know academia/academic research is known for having “difficult personalities” but this is beginning to get comical. Edit: in both cases it is the supervisor that is toxic; I have nothing against my coworkers. In this case it’s referring to what appears to be lots of micromanagement and favoritism, probably some denying of holiday leave that may or may not be legal by the country’s employment laws

On one hand I don’t want to deal with a bad workplace again just to avoid the toll on my own health (which did happen a lot during the past year). But on the other hand it is nice to have an EU-based position (especially since I’m not an EU citizen so my job is also linked to my ability to stay in a country), and if I got into this situation two-times in a row what’s guaranteeing that it won’t happen again

I’m… open to all suggestions

  • oce 🐆@jlai.lu
    4·
    11 days ago

    I guess your job market as a scientist is even worse than for IT engineers right now. So I would keep looking for a new job while keeping my head down at the current one until I can safely secure a new one. There’s also a possibility that your problems at 2 months will get better after 6 months once you get to know all your colleagues better and make some allies.

    • zlatiah@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      11 days ago

      Thanks. One of my colleague did suggest that, I suppose I’ll start being selfish & start applying now. The problem itself will only get worse unless my entire institution unionizes or something similar… but it’s unlikely that I will get fired (my skills are very in demand) so there’s that; I am also trying to get independent funding which would mitigate the problem a lot

      • mushroommunk@lemmy.today
        2·
        11 days ago

        I helped my last company not fully unionize but come together to demand change. I got the support of several teams backing me to confront management on their return to office policy. Management changed their minds quick.

        It’s not easy and was basically a second job for a few months for me, but you could always try to start the unionization effort.

        • zlatiah@lemmy.worldOP
          1·
          11 days ago

          Nice! I was on the unionization effort with my last employer too; I’d make a terrible leader but I have the skills for helping out. I am trying to get to know my coworkers better, so that is definitely not off the table

  • AmidFuror@fedia.io
    2·
    11 days ago

    Did anyone else read the title and then get surprised that the author is not who they thought it would be?

    You have my sympathies, OP.

      • neidu3@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        1·
        11 days ago

        One of the other question oriented boards have recurring questions about work place drama and changing positions. It has gotten to the point where I can see the title and know who the poster is. Not mentioning names, but your post is different enough to know you’re not them.

  • Zwuzelmaus@feddit.org
    2·
    11 days ago

    avoid the toll on my own health

    Make this a goal. Independent from other (work) goal.

    Respond differently when people start getting toxic. Do sometimes not respond at all, but turn around and walk away.

    Read about “resilience”.

    • Shifty Eyes@leminal.spaceEnglish
      1·
      11 days ago

      OP you are now a grey rock until you can get out. Good luck, if you have great worker protections as an EU worker, even better, just do your job, keep your head down. You can choose how you respond mentally and how it affects you. Don’t try to control what you can’t control. Take up mindfulness and meditation and a side of therapy if you need to while you work on getting a better job in the EU.