I know you were shaken and didn’t want to pursue it officially, but I would be amazed if word hadn’t got around to managers or HR. To be honest, I’m surprised no one in a leadership position has spoken with you about it or at least asked if you’re OK. I hope that if they do know about it, they’re looking closely at the matter behind the scenes.
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The point I’m trying to make is that you may well come to find that this blow-up was neither based on any kernel of truth, nor likely to happen again. That may come after reflection, remorse and, ideally, a sincere apology from the aggressor, or through disciplinary action taken by higher-ups. In either case, there’s some chance you’ll be able to recapture your love for your job.
Having said all that, I don’t think you should necessarily put that unexpected job offer out of your mind. Even if you can see that this will all be resolved soon, it may still be worth giving this interested party a call back.
Of course, if your wrathful colleague shows no shame or if there is any sense that managers know about the blow-up but have shrugged it away, there’s no need to equivocate.
In either of these situations, there’s a chance the belligerence will continue in some form, or at the very least that the changed mood in the office will curdle and become intolerable.
No one wants to work in an environment where hostility lingers indefinitely, even if it only bubbles under the surface. If this seems likely to you, I would pick up the phone as soon as you can.
Whatever decision you make, you should be more than flattered that someone outside your professional orbit has taken such a keen interest in your abilities; you should be proud. This doesn’t happen all the time – and very rarely does it come with such a liberal time limit. If anything, it only underscores the unfairness of your colleague’s vicious words.
Make sure you do plenty of research into the new opportunity before you decide. But if it all sounds good, don’t be afraid to make a change – especially if this incident has forever tainted your feelings towards your current role.
Send your questions to Work Therapy by emailing jonathan@theinkbureau.com.au
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