I got my first job when I was 15. I was really scared and nervous, but most of all excited to be starting a job. My goal was to do my job really well; I’ve always liked helping people and this was no exception. Anyway, I soon found out my boss was not only a nightmare, but a scary nightmare. She would yell at staff for minor mistakes and take credit for all of their contributions to the small supermarket chain for which we worked. She was aggressive to staff and customers, and knew she could get away with it being the only small supermarket in our suburb. One day she went as far as to snatch a phone out of my hand, scratching my entire arm in the process. She smirked, and did not apologise.

Anyway, she came into work one day and declared to the staff below her that she would be looking for a new job. She said she had interviewed for one company and bragged about how well she did. I knew she was very charming and great at making first impressions. I felt sorry for the company who had no idea what they were getting themselves into. As she delved more into her bragging, she told us about an upcoming interview that she had with a company that was in her words “So much better”. She was speaking of how she’d be able to come in late and ‘set her own rules’ as she had no direct supervisor.

So that’s where I come in :) Little did she know my mom worked in HR in this company, and funnily enough, she was on the panel to interview her. I gave mom a little heads up, though she knew from the many times I’d come home crying and terrified, what she was dealing with. She proceeded to interview her. She said to her during the interview that she be “In touch within a few weeks”. She said there were some logistical reasons why she couldn't be notified her sooner.

So boss comes in again, bragging how well the interview went. She calls up the first company and says no to them, telling her of the better offer she (had not yet) received. My moms company dragged out the process for six weeks. After those six weeks, they apologised and said they found a better candidate. It was my other co worker, one she had also abused many times.

My boss never knew my part in the process. I quit soon after and still smile to this day when I think of it.