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In show business, they say that its all about who you know.
Well, youre in luck because now you know Priyanka!
He said it with a smile, but Im not sure who would have found it funny.
His behavior has been jokingly hostile at times ever since.
Its not sexual or anything, just … jerky.
How would you suggest I handle this situation?
This has allowed workplace verbal abuse to run rampant, and unfortunately, it is often celebrated.
Ill never understand why Hollywood allows treating people like dirt to stand in for a personality.
Abusive behavior in Hollywood is often coded as training someone for a job.
Most people are exposed to a sort of tough-love training, for sure, from scary-seeming higher-ups.
My own first job was working for a woman who was … exacting, and vocal about it.
I was a dreadful assistant whom she ultimately, contrary to all logic, promoted.
I got fired for a day here and there and wanted to quit every week.
I didnt even know where the files were kept (right behind me).
I suspect I did some of it on purpose to torture her.
But big picture, we were a match made in heaven.
When she promoted me, which was quickly, she called me a menace who was sabotaging her career.
Who was doing the filing, Ill never know.
She was, and remains, my fiercest champion.
In your specific case, this guy does not have your career in mind.
He is just a bully.
Perhaps it would help to unpack his psychological profile.
People in entertainment areobsessedwith relevance!
Add to that that youre a woman, and you are a daily reminder of his dwindling job security.
Lets call the whole ball of yarn economic anxiety while were at it.
This is a competitive job that requires a high level of skill.
He is targeting you because you scare him.
He is making you uncomfortable because you make him uncomfortable.
Keep that in mind when you start telling people about him.
Now the puzzle of whom to tell.
HR was often a shadowy Michael Clayton figure in a faraway room.
A paper trail issoimportant in these cases and can prevent him from bullying people in the future.
If this makes you uncomfortable at the moment, perhaps start smaller, at the show level.
And if hes a high-level writer, hes likely old friends with your boss.
He probably wont, 100 percent, but remember what I said about you scaring him?
Direct confrontation can be like throwing water on your wicked witch.
There is a reason that comedy writers have a reputation for being socially awkward.
Take advantage of that.
LikeStar Trek: Discoveryorthis recent Netflix firing, tolerance for professional misconduct is dwindling by the second.
I promise you, we are trending in the right direction.
Hang in there and people like this jokerwillbe a thing of the past.
