Dear ManagoFandango:

You are welcome, and thank you!

Regarding unions in  Eastern Europe, I read in iza world of labor (I am adding what’s in parentheses): “The economies of the CEE (Central-Eastern Europe) countries experienced substantial declines in trade union membership in the aftermath of the economic transition of the late 1980s and the early 1990s. The decline in union density that occurred in these countries between the early 1990s and 20012/ 2013 was much steeper than the de-unionization that took place in Western Europe and the US during that period…

“These trends mirror the transition from systems in which union membership was largely compulsory, to the neoliberal (favoring policies that promote free market capitalism, deregulation, and reduction in government spending) models most CEE countries adopted… Industrial relations (the relations between management and workers in industry) in CEE are largely decentralized and fragmented, with collective bargaining taking place mainly at the local or firm level”-

– reads to me that if you don’t have someone within your workplace to help you.. your only option would be to do your best to help yourself.

“Today she came to me with a request that also wasn’t in my job description that I  ignored. (I just didn’t pick up the phone.) I felt very bad as she was all sweet today, and I thought to myself.. was I imagining things? Does she just consider me as a friend and that’s why she asks for favours? But I have to remember that the cycle will start again, when I expect it the least“- expect it then, don’t be manipulated by her sweetness. It can be tempted to feel safe in the appearance of her sweetness and friendliness, but better not be deceived.

Psychology today/ 9 classic strategies of manipulative people: “manipulative people have mastered the art of deception. They may appear respectable and sincere but often that’s just a facade… They will attempt to confuse you, maybe even making you feel as if you’re crazy. They distort the truth and may resort to lying if it serves their end… Manipulative people can play the victim, making you seem to be the one who caused a problem which they began but won’t take responsibility for. They can be passive-aggressive or nice one minute and standoffish the next, to keep you guessing and to prey on your fears and insecurities”- reads familiar to you?

anita