I'm 31 years old and a competent person. I don't participate in activities that affect my work life. I don't use my phone when working… unless I have done everything that has been required. When I do, it's usually for about 5 minutes, at max. I'm capable of maintaining a conversation that is adult and professional, both in person and through e-mail. I am prompt and treat tasks with respect and in a timely manner. I've been able to gain experience professionally in my field for about 5 years now. I am not college educated, I have my high school diploma.
I realized my time is worth more than what I was being paid. I don't allow people to walk all over me at work anymore and I voice my concerns. I was met with negativity, and cliques in what should be a professional environment. I was clear in what I needed and was met with contention from my direct supervisors.
Today, I was pulled into my HR Director's office, with her present, and both of my department managers. I was told my performance wasn't meeting standard, which I am confident is flatly wrong. I maintained composure and by the end of the meeting, the HR Director was shaking my hand, insisted I take severance pay, then gave me her personal cell phone and told me she was putting me as 'Able to Re-Hire' on my file. She told me she'd be calling if a position in her department became available, and I've already received a letter of recommendation from her in my personal email.
My new job will be finding a job worth my time and work ethic. It will be professional and will pay me what I am actually worth. What I have earned.
I appreciate most people in this subreddit so much for helping me see that, in order to fix the problem, I have to help fix the problem. I could tell the HR Director was not happy with my managers when I left. She made it very clear I need to put myself first and I could very easily tell she knew there were problems happening in that department.
I'm a little nervous because I didn't have a job lined up, but I've got savings and my husband makes pretty great money. I know we'll be okay and better in the long run.
I deserve to feel comfortable and taken care of at work. So do you. So does everyone. Good luck, my friends.