Background:
A while ago I worked with a manager “Karen” who was very abusive to staff. For example, when I put in requests for medical leave (no more than 3 days off ever), she would try to stop me from being able to go to them. When I would ask why leave requests weren't approved, she would reply with “we're just not sure it's medical,” when it was literally going to a dr. appointment where I would bring a note back after. I would inevitably have to go over her head to get it approved, which would of course make her angry and retaliate.
She also tried to sabotage my promotion. We are required to let supervisors know when we're going out for a different position if we're still in the 1st year probation period. I told her I was going out for the promotion per policy and she said she supported it. Later, after I got the promotion my new manager let me know that Karen told her I was lying about my medical condition to get special privileges at work (like an office, which I never asked for and didn't have) and she shouldn't hire me. Luckily my new manager was not a crazy person and asked the director if she felt that this was true about me, director said no I wouldn't do that and I ended up with the promotion. I do believe that particular situation meets our work requirements for harassment and discrimination.
On to the situation at hand:
I've been asked to lead a project with this person included. Unfortunately my experience with her got so bad and out of hand that I have PTSD from it. I've being working for 20 years now and this is the only time I've ever had that kind of a reaction to a supervisor, this isn't common for me. I might not like someone, but things have to be pretty bad to end up with PTSD.
Because of this I've asked to not work with her on this project by either assigning someone else to lead it while I help from the background or have her taken off it. You know, consequences for her actions. These have not been acceptable to leadership and I have been told these things in response: “everyone has to work with people who have traumatized you at some point,” and “Look at XYZ in leadership, she's had to work with the abusive public and board of supervisors, so you can work with your abuser.” Saying that seems pretty inappropriate for the workplace.
So here's my question: Does the original situation seem like a hostile environment and does saying those last couple of things also seem like it's hostile? I told my manager it just seems like they are furthering the hostile work environment instead of improving it.
Thanks ya'll!