A recent letter to advice columnist R. Eric Thomas detailed a workplace bullying and harassment experience. The writer, who was targeted by a known predator, felt marginalized and mistreated by their employer, who denied, blamed, and ignored the situation. The writer eventually found a new job where they received a glowing evaluation from their boss, praising their reliability, respectfulness, and excellence.
The writer contemplated sending this positive review to their previous employer as a form of closure and to prove that they were not the problem. Thomas warned against seeking validation from the toxic former employer, as it could reopen old wounds and diminish the joy of the positive evaluation. Instead, he encouraged the writer to see the review as a reminder of their strength and ability to move on from the toxic environment.
Thomas advised against seeking vindication from the previous employer and urged the writer to focus on their own growth and success. He reminded them of the importance of moving forward and not getting caught up in seeking validation from those who mistreated them. The writer was encouraged to frame the positive evaluation as a symbol of their resilience and ability to overcome difficult situations.
Source
Photo credit www.cleveland.com