Thread regarding Qualcomm Inc. layoffs

Dealing with workplace bullying

I have been dealing with a bullying situation at work for the past two years and would appreciate any insights or advice. I joined Qualcomm three years ago and have worked in the same department since then. The first year went relatively smoothly, despite the work being straightforward and not particularly challenging doing some bench verification testing. However, about two years ago, I began to notice that a senior member of the department, whom I don’t work directly with, started targeting me. He criticized my work behind my back to managers, including my own. I used to see him in the department meetings and greet him the way I greet everyone else.

Initially, I didn’t pay much attention until colleagues pointed out that I should be cautious around him. This individual would even access my saved work and present it in a way that made me look bad during meetings. He clearly exhibits psychological behavior, such as avoiding eye contact or staring with visible anger when speaking to me when discussing some overlapping work.

My manager has been ineffective in addressing the situation and pretty much useless. There is no secret that HR is a joke and their job is to protect the company from lawsuits. Everything I would say to the HR will be used against me. I’m concerned about my job security, especially with upcoming non ending layoff cycles. I’ve been actively job hunting since Fall 2023 but haven’t had any luck due to the poor job market. I feel that leaving the company might only lead to this bully targeting someone else, as management seems to support him. There must be a way to stop a bully in a position of power. I am puzzled as to why he is getting out of his way to target me like that. I believe action should be taken against this individual, but so far, that has not happened. What are your thoughts on that?

FWIW This is the PMIC department I have been working in. The psychoman is not the infamous xmas. The psychoman is an older guy and one of the infamous svp buddies.

by
| 2991 views | | 21 replies (last September 22, 2024) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1uyFH0p3

21 replies (most recent on top)

@3cxq depends totally on the time of the day, imagination can take you anywhere!

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @5wrf+1uyFH0p3

A teammate engaged in bullying, asserting that our non-technical manager relied on him. He regularly ridiculed me for trivial reasons and pressured me to conduct business with his wife, claiming he would share information with me, even though our manager had specifically directed him to communicate with me directly. Furthermore, he and another teammate exchanged insults in a language only the three of us understood. When I brought this to our manager’s attention, she questioned why the two bullies could get along while I could not. I subsequently reached out to HR, but they informed me there were no witnesses. The most they could offer was to speak with my manager, which I had already done, only to receive no support. Connectivity group experience.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @5dpn+1uyFH0p3

Negotiate a package to leave - HR doesnt care about female employees. Take some money and RUN!

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @4yjv+1uyFH0p3

@2jl can you please clarify hair from which part of his body?

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @3cxq+1uyFH0p3

@2jew Dude is mental, doesn't make eye contact, got the habit of running his fingers through his hair while talking, part of the cool dudes clan, is called psychoman, what other hints do you need to know!

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @2jlv+1uyFH0p3

Leave some hint! I'd want to stay away from such too being in PMIC team!

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @2jew+1uyFH0p3

To the OP .. reach out to other senior members in your org. You know who they are and they do care about the well being of recently joined employees. They will help you with your situation.
document everything and in detail. Put down dates, times, the people who were present, the context.
Then when your dossier is ready, send it to HR

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @2fwt+1uyFH0p3

This is par for Qualcomm. The South Indian folks are a jealous bunch and take offense at you for just being yourself. They will sabotage your progress and you will never know.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @2zxz+1uyFH0p3

Report it to HR - they have fired some high level people this year for bad behavior I’ve heard. You have nothing to lose - give it a try.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1iyd+1uyFH0p3

Ya don’t bother with HR. Something similar happened to me earlier this year except it was my direct mgr. I went to HR, they never asked me for any of the supporting documentation I had and I became the problem. I walked away and have never been happier.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1eub+1uyFH0p3

HR is NOT going to do anything meaningful other than talking to the manager of the bully. If the bully is connected you are sc--wed. If the bully manages up well, you are sc--wed. Short of provable s-xual harassment, absolutely NOTHING is going to happen to the bully.

Run now and run far. Don't look back.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1uqo+1uyFH0p3

When Q talks about HR, it could mean your boss, like “this decision is made by HR”. Make sure that the message is broadcasted with enough Tx power to cover those who care.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1ofp+1uyFH0p3

Sorry, but that actually seems typical for QC. I experienced that as well. They talk about their "culture", culture of what, arrogant intimidating a-holes. Just know, it's not only you. My advice is don't even push the issue. Ki-l them with kindness and look for other career opportunities.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1gdn+1uyFH0p3

Qs culture is very toxic, unlike other Silicon Valley companies, be careful to jump. Before joining it, I thought it is similar with most tech companies in Silicon Valley, but it is very differently toxic, 90% ppl met in is toxic, none of is good in work and none of are good person.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1nvh+1uyFH0p3

I got bullies by a group of ppl in gsoc, they bounded together and focus on myself. Collect evidence report to hr and leave to a better place if you can.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1gng+1uyFH0p3

Report this to HR. Don’t think HR cares about how senior this person is, they live for these investigations. Report it, what do you have to lose?

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1kbd+1uyFH0p3

I got bullies after a few Months with q, this is very normal in a toxic culture.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1psq+1uyFH0p3

I have a similar situation. And “that” guy happens to be my manager. He is not targeting me but whenever we overlap, I sense the same vibe. I also don’t understand why he doesn’t like me but there he is. I can’t do anything about it.

I ended up not caring his behavior anymore. I am not comfortable, talk a little when he is around, mostly do my job silently. I try to keep my regular “hi” and “how are you”s, hoping that he will retire soon. Other than that, I think we don’t have much options. Just try to stay away and do what you have been doing - look for other roles in other companies.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @mmn+1uyFH0p3

Since he is in a powerful position than you, complaining wouldn't lead you anywhere. You have tried this too if I am not wrong. The next best option is obviously to start looking out which you already have since last year. But the market is bad, of course.
Conclusion : su-k it up until you find another job. There is no other option. When you do find another job and resign, turn the tables and bully back. Or atleast give rude replies to him in front of everyone. For example, at a meeting, talk to everyone but him. Just wait for the day you resign. It will come. May be a little while later since the market is bad but it will.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @rnw+1uyFH0p3

I am positive I know the person you are talking about. He is definitely weird but he is part of the cool dudes clan, probably including your manager. Nothing will change other than you leaving. "psychoman" put a smile on my face, fits him figuratively and literally.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @cre+1uyFH0p3

Oh, not PMIC? I went through the same, different departments. Must be the "culture" they foster. Old guy, part of a gang of old guys, protecting each other, same nationality. The Bully, The Coward, The Hypocrite ("we'll take care of you, trust us, you guys just keep working"). F*k them. Best advice I can give is leave the cesspool. Life is way better on the outside. Work for a better class of people. They're out there.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @ull+1uyFH0p3

Post a reply

: