Why Kiss Ass?

So, I got into a rather heated e-mail exchange yesterday at work. I was teleprocessing a case and the state office had placed an edit on this particular type of case. I needed the edit cleared and e-mailed the appropriate person at state office.

She immediately began questioning what I was doing, which is not her job. She is just supposed to look at the income on the case, make sure it's within the income limits and then clear the edit.

Instead, she turned into a super condescending bitch.

I felt it was my duty to take her down a peg or two.

Through a series of exchanges I basically told her that it was not her job to question how I was handling the case. I told her that I knew what I was doing and that she had no business questioning me.

I took to starting out every email with the phrase "Have you cleared the edit yet?".

I realize I went a little overboard. It would not be wrong to say I crossed the line of civility, but the bitch pissed me off.

So, eventually, she took care of the problem and left me alone. As I was venting about it yesterday morning, several other people in the office piped up about their dealings with this woman. Apparently, every time she responds to one of our requests or questions she is consistently bitchy, rude and extremely condescending to everyone.

This afternoon I was called into my supervisor's office for the inevitable bitch-slap that I would receive for losing my temper.

Instead she just told me that I should be more careful because I will earn a reputation as a troublemaker. Instead I should simply let this woman talk to me however she wanted. I informed my supervisor that I would no longer be speaking to this particular woman again. And if she e-mails me, I'll forward it on to my supervisor to handle it.

Then I went in to see my (dreamy) boss and let him know that I was sorry for losing my temper...but that I wanted a complaint made to her boss. I wanted it known that I am not alone in feeling that this woman treats field staff like total shit and that we're tired of it.

I'm not going to kiss her ass because she thinks she's more important than me. Please! That is one thing Underling just does not do!

And if they want to think I'm a troublemaker...well, it just means that they have an accurate picture of me in their heads. Because my department is so fucked up, it's about time somebody started stirring the pot more.

That somebody just might have to be me...

(but it won't be. because I have bills to pay and couldn't afford to get fired)

So, I won't be stirring the pot too much...but I won't be kissing ass either.