My workplace exemplifies office politics at its worst, with rivalries and simmering insecurities. Ironically, I once benefited from it. I’ve always been social and genuinely enjoy building relationships. I’m also great at my job but humble, letting my results speak for me. Sadly, my success has become my undoing.

I was offered my boss’ job because her boss thought I was a much better match, but I said no. I didn’t think it was the right thing to do. But her boss told her what happened, as much to warn her as to punish me for turning him down. Almost immediately, my boss’ attitude towards me reversed. She used to support me, because my success reflected well on her and I was happy to let her take lots of credit. But when she turned against me, she started restricting my autonomy, delegated less work, and began publicly criticising me.

Gossip then started spreading that I didn’t have a degree. It’s true that I don’t, but I have over 20 years of experience in the industry. The Recruitment Director knew this when he hired me, but advised me to keep it secret as he said some of the other staff would either feel jealous, threatened, or offended that a non-degree holder would be offered an executive position, even despite my demonstrable success.

Even though I don’t have proof my boss was behind the leak, she’s friends with the Recruitment Director and he’s the only person whoever flagged up my education background.  

And as predicted, there’s increasing ill-feeling against me that’s making it nigh on impossible for me to do my job effectively. What can I do to fix the toxic culture?