Education & Work Would you apply for a job if your ex-nemesis worked there?

Applied for a promotion and discovered that a former boss (who works in a different organisation) does liaison work with the area I applied for. This person is one of those managers who gets ahead by taking credit for his staff's work while blaming them for his mistakes. I was forced out of my job after he tried to throw me under the bus a few times because I refused to do something that would've gotten me banned from the industry. If I got this job, that might mean having to work with him again, and trying out the same crap.

I know you can't let one person stop you from pursuing your career, but I'm curious to know if others have been in this situation, and if so, how did you decide if it was worth going for or not?

 

I would withdraw my application, and tell them why.
This person is one of those managers who gets ahead by taking credit for his staff's work while blaming them for his mistakes. I was forced out of my job after he tried to throw me under the bus a few times because I refused to do something that would've gotten me banned from the industry. If I got this job, that might mean having to work with him again, and trying out the same crap.

 

Nemesis? What are you Spider man?

 

Shhhh

 

You have obviously not been bullied at work. At one point in one job, I concurrently had 3 nemeses. These were people who were actively working against me professionally, undermining my ability to do my work and preventing me from progressing in the organisation. By the time I left, 2 had gone

I have no adivce for you @mouseburger. I probably wouldn't do it because it is not in my nature to try to outmanoeuvre dodgy people. I rather work with people who are blunt/honest and ethical, so I always know where I stand. Some things for you to consider if it is worth it:
1) how much additional money will you earn?
2) what additional opportunities will you have to develop yourself/progress?
3) what actions can you take to protect yourself if you have to work with this person?

What support base will you have in the new position vs what support base they have already built up. I have seen senior staff go head to head in the organisation where I was bullied. The one who was "right" did not have the support base and got sidelined. The one who was "wrong" had the support base and got promoted. I actually worked for that person at one point prior to that. Complete nutcase.

 

I had minions but never a nemesis.

 

Minions would be a lot more fun!

 

Oooh, I wouldn't mind a minion or two.

 

Ex nemasis lol

I can't wait to use this in normal conversation

 

Mouseburger, that sucks. If I had a choice I would not work with my nemesis. If they were my ex-nemesis, that's a different matter-'ex' being the operative word. But sometimes, if it's the only job, on offer we don't have choices. Just keep a safe distance from him--if you can. Good luck.

 

No and even refused a contract close to home because of it. Not worth the trouble.

 

100% no. Not in a pink fit. Life is too short to knowingly subject yourself to that kind of cr@p.

 

Yes, I do sometimes refer to him as the ex-nemesis in actual conversation (aside from other choice descriptors) and coincidentally I may be acquiring a few minions soon

Ha! Same thing happened with my former boss - it was a way of eliminating competent peers so that executives wouldn't find out how unqualified he was for his job. Thanks for the questions and feedback btw, it's food for thought. Good to have a sounding board to check I'm being rational about this and not letting previous experience cloud my judgement.

 

I have a nemesis at work but not in my workplace. He works in the same complex. Used to sit on our employees cars and clip his fingernails, always seems to get the last cream bun at the bakery, invests in shares and parks like a Muppet. Just thinking about him is getting me angry. As for your post I have no input apart from I hate my nemesis.