Sorry if this doesn't go here since it's not about corporate work but I'm so tired of my job, I'm close to crying typing this because I cannot afford to quit and can't find another job.
For context I (30F) am not American and I work at a community center, I'm contracted by the local government to tutor elementary age children, help with homework, etc. It's basically an effort to help kids being left behind in schools. Some kids come from very difficult backgrounds and situations at home, I have kids that are 9 or 10 that still can't read.
Last week the woman that teaches singing lessons couldn't make it on her day and time (Saturday mornings) so she showed up on my time (Wednesdays afternoon to evening) and set up camp in the classroom next to mine blasting music and singing at the highest possible volume while I'm trying to teach kids how to read and help them with their homework.
I apologized to parents for the noise as they came to pick up their kids, the music and singing was so loud we could barely hear each other! The singing teacher took great offense to this and filed a complaint against me calling me rude, irresponsible and all sort of other names. Today my boss called me in before my shift and showed me the complaint, I was floored. Not only she's offended I apologized to parents for the noise, she also claims I verbally abused the staff and yelled at them which is a complete lie. Fortunately my boss is on my side, but I'm still feeling so icky and annoyed. I wish there was security cameras so they could check and have evidence of the lie, but there isn't so this person thinks she can get away with such blatant lie.
I get paid penies, not even half of minimum wage. I took this job to avoid a gap in my cv (I'm disabled and waiting for surgery so technically I shouldn't work at all), it's certainly not enough to justify putting up with assholes coming up with drama and it's not the first time people start shit (not with me but with other teachers), the hostile environment is exhausting. I take my job seriously and it's draining enougn as it is. I'm trying to help kids failing academically sometimes because of heavy trauma, I don't have the emotional bandwidth to deal with bored middle aged women and their small town gossip.
I'm very introverted and raised to be polite, I never yell to anyone, I barely talk to people let alone raise my voice. I just want to do my job without being insulted. How are you going to come to my place of work when my class is scheduled, blast music and go full karaoke bar while I'm teaching children and then get offended that I apologize to parents for your noise? How do you feel bold enough to LIE about me verbally abusing the staff?
I'm tired of having to play nice to assholes, I'm tired of not having other employment options, I'm tired of dealing with very heavy subjects that come with working with underprivileged kids in a third world country and not being treated with one lick of respect or paid enough to afford to live. I didn't sign up for this.
Today one of my students' mother felt so bad about last week that she brought me some pastries as a thank you gift for my work, which is nice and at least a small comfort. Other people at work stood up for me with the complain too so that's good as well. But I'm exhausted of the constant drama in this place and I hate being dragged into it when I'm just minding my business and doing my job which is draining enough as is.
Anyways thanks for letting this underpaid and overworked teacher rant.