Hi vunil,
Mudpup, it's a public institution. Why do you ask? Do you expect public institutions to be better or worse?
I guess I should have phrased it differently. The reason I asked was mainly about the size of the organization. Nearly all big oranizations, public or private are slow and ossified dealing with a situation like this. Also I was wondering whether there is a single boss who would cut a trouble maker like your's loose if you could document things. No covert political motives involved.
You don't seem willing to just curl up like a burnt feather so let me ask you a question. What are your and her supervisors like? If you can demonstrate she is affecting the organization,( or more importantly them) in a bad way would they still back her?
Somewhere there must be a balance between being savvy and being ethical.
I
can help you with this. If you truly want to stand your ground it is not a matter of having to choose between ethics and effectiveness. I've said this before, but document
everything! That means keeping a contemporaneous journal, not just making copies of memos or e-mails. If there is someone there you trust who is willing to keep one as well, have them do it.
If possible, make yourself indispensible to those who hold power over her.
Strengthen your alliances with what decent people there are.
Most importantly get inside her head so you can understand what she is doing and anticipate some of her behavior. Figure out what she most wants to avoid having revealed. No matter what kind of front they put up Ns are always terrified of the truth about them coming out.
Just consider this, if you stand up for yourself it won't be a short term proposition. And you have to be
serious! You will regret going to the shootout at the OK corral with a rubber knife.
There are really two ways as you know. Hunker down and hope the bully finds another victim. Or hit her in the nose often enough until she finds an easier victim. However you have to be prepared to throw a lot of punches, because they don't give up easy. But there is no reason to lie or cheat, if you do choose to stand up to her. Not only is it wrong, it is counterproductive.
If you do choose to stand up to her I can give you some ideas on the mistakes I have made and the right things I've done with my brother.
Good reading.
mudpup