Is it time to go over boss's head?

I would give your boss one more opportunity to find a solution for your issue. A cordial work environment is not an unreasonable request. While it does sound like this co-worker is creating a "hostile work environment," it does not sound like you feel it is due to any type of protected status (i.e., gender, race, skin color, etc.). I would definitely use those words, though: Hostile Work Environment. Let your boss know that it is causing you stress and making it difficult for you to do your job in a timely and efficient manner. Also, start documenting the incidents and after you have spoken with your boss, send them an email documenting what you spoke to them about and what the boss stated they would do to help resolve the situation (you should also BCC this email o your own private email so you have a record outside of work).

If they say there is nothing they can do, you have a couple of options. You can ask to be transferred to another department or area where you will not have to deal with this person directly, you can just ignore the petty behavior, or you can escalate it to HR. If you do escalate it to HR, you will then have an email documenting that you have made your boss aware of the problem and there was no resolution. This will let them know that you did try to resolve the issue at a lower level and didn't just go over your boss's head.

Personally, it sounds like you don't have a very supportive boss. If I were you, I would probably start looking for another job or a transfer out of that department so you can be in an environment where you have support and can work with people who don't act like petty grade-schoolers.

This doesn't sound stupid at all. I will tell you why, I am a partner in a company. If an employee which I pay money to isn't being as productive as they can for whatever the reason, I'm not happy about it, and I want to take action to correct this problem. Trust me, you aren't the problem. It's this co-worker of yours.

Yes, go over the head of your boss. Ask for a meeting with the boss of your boss, make sure you have the problem details in a way to explain it that gets to the point right away.

From what you said, I would want an employee to tell me the following:

- I talked this over with my supervisor, but she told me she is powerless to do anything about this.

- I have a co-worker who has been repeatedly been rude to me for X months, and the daily attitude of her is effecting the performance of my work to the point now, I dread coming into work, where I didn't feel this way before.

- I have done nothing to this co-worker, and have had to cope with her bad attitude the best I can.

- I wouldn't bring this to your attention, except I don't know where else to turn, and I like working here.

If an employee told me the above, I would look into this seriously. Middle managers can have a real bad habit of not firing anyone or telling their boss anything is wrong, ever. You need to step up and do this.

OK, having said all this, if the final outcome, I'm talking worst case though, is that they do nothing and this continues to be a problem for you, then you have really bad management and it's time to update your resume and look for another job. The poor attitude of an employee effects the entire group or department, and the bad attitude spreads.

WARNING: Do NOT go to HR and talk to them. HR does NOT protect you. They are nothing but a puppet of management. If you go to HR, they will immediately call your boss that won't do anything and say you have been in there to complain about things. Do NOT go to HR!!! They will just document that you can't work with someone and this will come across as negative about you. PLus they will call your do nothing boss, and they will find a way to punish for going to HR. HR is never going to help you, trust me. Go directly to the boss of your boss, leave HR out of it.

I want to say to you that I'm sorry for how rudely you've been treated, and shame on your manager for not standing up for you. It's a managers job to make a pleasant, or at least fair and just work enviorment. And, it's not fair or right for you to be treated without respect.

I am going through the same thing. I am working with a certain girl who won't speak to me at work. She lies on me and is constantly talking about me while I'm in ear shot to hurt my feelings. I'll ask her if we can half up the work we have to do when we're working alone, and she'll just slam the broom in my hand and walk away. She rolls her eyes, glares at me, and literally makes me want to go in the bathroom and cry. And guess what? My boss does nothing.

Don't call your district, call human resources and tell them exactly what's going on. They will deal with it and protect you. Your manager is a wimp.

Confront this person and ask them what they're problem is. Tell them that you HAVE to work together and if they don't stop with the rudeness, you'll continue telling HR on her and she'll lose her job. Don't put up with rude behavior. Call her out everytime.

Demand respect! I'm sorry, and don't let someone that worthless and stupid get to you. Screw her.

Wait. Have patience, grasshopper. For it is the fool that feeds a dying fish. (I have no idea what that means!)

I'd wait it out. The other employee will probably get fired. But that's just me. If you do go to HR, don't make it about the employee that you can't stand. Make it about your boss not acting on your complaint. You might also try swallowing your pride for a moment and talking to this rude person about how you feel. You never know. It might solve your entire problem, and the worst that will happen is you will just remain angry with her, and you'll have even more justification for complaining about your ineffectual boss.

It's clear to me that this coworker is at least mildly mentally ill.

The boss (firm) has plenty of options open to them, and in fact they have obligations. If they do not have this knowledge inhouse then certainly their insurer or trade body will have. I suggest that if the boss/firm doesn't pull its sock up you start logging incidents, where you are caused upset, in the accident book. LOL don't tell me, they don't even have an accident book.

Perhaps understanding that your co-worker is ill, will reduce your distress anyway.

Good luck!

Deal with it. Going over your boss' head isn't going to go well for you. There ISN'T anything they can do. She has no obligation to be polite to you. She has no obligation to respect you either.