u/girlfromarea511

I was at a tech conference in the Bay area yesterday and had one of the most distasteful experiences. I (senior engineer) was by myself and mostly just gathering information and trying to make good use of the conference. I got a free pass so it was a good opportunity. I also work for one of the big names so people were wowed to know what I do.

My first encounter was with this much older dude who stopped me while I was walking and said "oh you would have run into me if you didn't pay attention" I apologized and was continuing to talk. He introduced himself, and we had a polite exchange of professional intro. I excused myself telling him I need to check something out, and he immediately said he would join me. He stuck to me for the rest of the day, I didn't find anything weird I usually but slowly he gave me very weird behaviour, he said he is a VC and has funded a lot of startups and said he will introduce me to some folks in the conference- he did introduce me to one lady and while I wanted to use this chance to talk to her. He would just not leave me alone, slowly he asked for my age and I said "in my 30's" he replied he is also in his 30's. He did not look in his 30's at all, also I assumed he was gay so I was being comfortable. Some of his actions were honestly really uncomfortable - he hugged me when he saw me the next time (the one time I tried I escape), told me I am like a doll, he kept asking what I am doing after the conference and when I said I need to do yoga, he asked me "so what will do you do after yoga" I was so annoyed with him. He took my number, mentioned he will invite me to parties etc. I was so grossed out by the end of the day.

The second incident is someone I met at the conference yesterday, much older guy as well. He may probably have a daughter in my age or probably older. He has been asking me to meet for lunch since he is from Texas. I want to believe he is trying to help me since I mentioned I wanted to pivot in my career etc

I wish there were more women in conferences and some men genuinely don't creep on women. I wanted to go today as well, but just didnt have the energy for it.

Have you all faced something similar? I am also mad at myself for always being so friendly with people and end in situations like this..

Hi ladies I hope someone can guide me in the right direction. I am also seeking legal help, but figured I will ask here

I am a senior Engineer and work for one the most famous Tech companies in the world. I joined right during the pandemic, I was very excited to join and do my best. During the time I joined, I had a major health issue and had two surgeries, having multiple blood transfusion, ER visits etc. My managers were aware of all of this. During the same time my skip started giving me a hard time, he was the one who hired me and I was reporting under him for a few years. Last year March in the absence of my direct manager my skip verbally told me I will be put on PIP, this shocked me because I was genuinely contributing. I went on medical leave, and joined in June, my direct manager told me "the skip is bring harsh are you are not on PIP, we will put you on a coaching plan", I worked my ass off and gave in my 200% to save the job. During meetings my skip would say "this is literally like having a gun on your head and making you work", truly speaking this is what it was.

Everything was documented, nitpicked, my name was on all the deliverables. My coworkers would ask me if they can offload some work from me because they didn't have enough work and I was overloaded. Obviously I was not given any help. I finished everything tangible. During one of the presentations he ripped me apart and eventually failed me on the coaching plan putting me in PIP. This was Sept 2025. One week after the PIP News my partner decides to leave me based on his parents inputs. (I won't go over the breakup)

This spiraled me into extreme depression, severe PTSD, anxiety. I probably had a nervous breakdown and extreme insomnia. I have been on medical leave since then on FMLA and disability leave. I am in therapy and antidepressants, also trauma based therapy (EmDR).

I got a letter from my company asking me to join back or have my position terminated by end of this month. I don't have anything lined up yet with another company.

Idk what's the best course of actions, all my doctors recommend I Do not go back to the toxic environment. What would you do in my place?

Mentally I am definitely better, my nervous system is fine. But I genuinely nervous for going back, imagining being on meetings with my managers scare me, I wanted a fresh start. Also in 2024 I found another position within the company and they sent a congratulations email, only for the other manager to call off the position without giving me any information. Even though I want to be working for this company, at this point I don't think there is any future. The PIP will really scale me back to where I was and I don't want to put myself through this.

I have slowly started applying to other companies, but I don't think I will find a job asap.

What is the best thing I can do given my situation?