How to work effectively with a difficult boss

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    Key Books


    You Don't Have to Take It!: A Woman's Guide to Confronting Emotional Abuse at Work


    Crazy Bosses: Spotting Them, Serving Them, Surviving Them


    Gray Matters : The Workplace Survival Guide

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    still stunned

    Posted by: cassie
    Date: 8/29/2008 3:26:54 PM

    Like most of the people on here, my boss started out charming, friendly, we even started sharing cars. Two then became three. It was then I noticed that if the third person asked me a question or tried to talk to me directly my boss would answer. There was even one instant where the third person called me by name and she answered for me in the third person. I have asked her about this but I got the usual I dont do things like that.

    There was no opportunity for me to join in conversations unless I was rude and aggressively interrupted - maybe I need to develop this streak?

    I also noticed that during the car journey I became increasingly depressed due to her conversations so I would turn up to work really down. I stopped having lifts and felt much better.

    I was on probation and I was asked for a meeting. This took place in a glass sided office so everyone who walked past could see what was going on. She then revealed she had stopped helping me for the last 2 weeks I was there. meanwhile I had been working hard to achieve the work targets set. She had absolutley nothing positive to say, a very uncompromising attidude, very stern, hard faced and you just know when there is no point even trying to defend yourself as you know your words will be twisted which they were when I tried.

    She threw a comment from a referee at me. I knew this person just would not say what had been said and I went back to check. It hadn't been said and this person did say it looked as though my boss just wanted rid. I am now going to get written references in future in light of this. I have been through something similar before and had I know what was happening would have insisted a 3rd person was there.

    I asked the owners of the company if in the light of these things they would guarantee a fair reference but even the owners have decided to ignore me, not even a courtesy standard reply. I now face the prospect of trying to get round a bad reference which I am not looking forward to.



    Reply from: Darvey
    Date: 8/31/2008 4:04:00 PM
    Reply: Wow, you are already on your way out since you already asked the owners for a recommendation. Many places do not give recommendations anymore. The tell all managers to refer all inquires to HR. HR only gives your start and end date. Salary information can be requested in writing. Many lawsuits had come out of recommendations, because it is a matter of opinion and that opinion is what can make someone loose an opportunity. That loss of opportunity from a manager’s opinion has cost shareholders some money. I had a boss like that who was bipolar. It was hard because the relationship was based on her keeping everyone on egg shells. She would constantly tell me what was wrong with me and tell me what I needed to change. This went on daily. She did not like us to communicate with each other. It was a control factor and there is nothing that you can do about it but leave. She was also good at making you feel not good enough and that would put you in acceptance mode. (not a good place) . Some days she was fine other days she would become extreme. All I can say is she sounds like she needs lithium and you should get out of there.

    Reply from: cassie
    Date: 9/9/2008 3:56:00 AM
    Reply: thanks for that and I agree with you. As it happened the company folded a week later so everyone was let go though now i have the added stress of wondering when I will get aid for the last month! Sign of the times. Thanks for replying it really does help. I know I am better off now.

    Reply from: lucky7
    Date: 9/13/2008 2:47:00 AM
    Reply: Unfortunately -got bad news for you- you have scuffled with the higher ups. Stay low- back off- if the meeeting are on - it is a high possibility that they will look for any reason to write you up= do not sign them, the write ups. that is advice from my attorney when I was peggged in. Lay low and do yur job - rock the boat no further - very possibly you are on your way out

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