How to deal with a terrible boss?

find someone outside of work to vent to. You can vent in this thread if that helps.

catwith4toes wrote:

When I mean terrible, I'm talking mean, rude, disrespectful, condescending, smug, and ungrateful.

Other than that, she's good at her profession.

Anyway, I'm sticking with it no matter what. I'm not concerned about that. Just curious if anyone can lend advice and support to feel better each day. It's to the point that going into work makes me a little depressed. I love my career and what I do though.

Sorry to hear about this brah. That's a rough situation. I've dealt with similar characteristics in co-workers/peers and mid-level "bosses" but never a real boss. Is she your direct supervisor--I mean someone who could actually hurt your career in a real way / start the process of having you fired? If so, that's real rough.

During the times I've dealt with these types of people at work I've focused on running / hobbies to keep me sane and done the best job I could at work. When I look back, those were actually some of my best post-college running years...but, yeah, work sucked during those times. Ultimately, I have moved on from those jobs (stayed in the same field though) and, oddly enough, the one situation in which a "boss" that I had behaved in the manner you describe she wound up always helping me out (good refs, always saying good things about me to future employers / people in our field) down the road.

So, your approach to sticking with it / doing a good job (vs. saying f&$k it and screwing around) is probably a good idea. Especially if you can't / don't want to get a different gig right now. If you're still into running focus on that, it's a great stress reliever. Good luck.

She isn't disrespectful to everyone. She would be fired if she was disrespectful to her boss or to your company's customers.

She is disrespectful to you because she can do that without there be any consequences. She just needs to be taught that there are negative consequences if she treats you this way.

Appreciate the response. Yes, she is my direct supervisor. I'm not too concerned about potentially losing my job no matter how bad she can be...this is because my position has had high turnover numerous times(you can imagine why), and I actually do very good work (at least I think). However, it does nag me a little from week to week. I can relate on the running part. When I go running after work, it really helps relieve the bad day and laugh it off a bit. I just seem to stress out about the situation all the time though. Mostly because she is on me day after day and nothing is good enough for her. I've spoken with my predecessor who is still with the company, and she had the same issues. That does help a bit to talk it over with her.

Anyway, how long did you stay with the poor supervisor? Just curious.

Been there. Unless your boss in on thin ice, you need to find a new job if it gets too bad.

Remember that it's just a job for money. It means jack in a cosmic sense. Anyone who treats subordinates poorly at work has major issues of their own. You'll pity her when you get a good boss. Would you go there 5 days/week if it didn't pay? If no, then just shrug it off and consider the poor treatment part of the salary.

4 years....yes, they were very long years. I didn't wind up moving because of my boss either, though I came close a few times. My wife had a job opportunity in a different state and I wound up getting an offer in the same place that was really good, so we moved.

This was almost 10 years ago now. So, I have had time to reflect on the situation. In my experience, there are almost always people like you describe if you work at a place with more than just a few people. Most of time everyone knows they are awful and, unless they are really good at what they do (...which your boss is based on what you say) they will either be let go or if you work hard you'll stand out and be promoted ahead of them. If they are good at what they do, then you either need to move on or, do what you are doing, and work hard & try and find ways to cope.

I think as you get older / get more work experience these people bother you less and less. The type of person you describe are usually people that have very bad personal lives and, thus, focus completely on their work. Once you realize this, you start to feel bad for them rather than fear / dread working with them--at least that's been my experience. As I said running and other outside hobbies helped me get through the worst of these bad work situations.

Blah Blah Blah wrote:

She just needs to be taught that there are negative consequences if she treats you this way.

This only happens in movies.

To the OP, you got a gig that's okay. Start looking around for a better gig. There is no rush and be creative. Can you relocate in the current org?

Yes and I'm self employed.

I was basically in this same situation where my boss was always riding me and nothing was good enough, although my 360 degree reviews were always stellar. I kept every complimentary email from vendors, co-workers, customers, etc. in a file. Then I simply stopped caring what she said to me. She would criticize something and I knew it was baseless and I'd just smile like a fool and say, "Yes, OK." I wouldn't argue. I wouldn't give her any fuel for her fire. I would just smile and nod. I honestly think it took the wind out of her sails. She looked confused since my former strategy was to try to present a counter argument. Now I would just smile and say, "OK" and go back to doing exactly what I had been doing.

Keep scrupulous records of how good your work is in case you need to back anything up. Then simply blow her off. Don't argue. Just smile and do your job as well as you say you are. You'll drive her nuts and keep your sanity. Win-Win!

"Oh you hate your job? Oh my God, why didn't you say so? You know there's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY. They meet at the bar!" - Drew Carey

I hate my boss too. HATE. Just vent here

I hated my bosses and a couple coworkers too. Then I quit. Got that stress out of my life. Like another poster said, "it's just a job for money."

If I were paid better I would have put up with more BS with a smile on my face.

watch that movie "Terrible Bosses" and do whatever they do.