How to work effectively with a difficult boss

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    Key Books


    Mobbing: Emotional Abuse in the American Workplace, 2002 Revised Edition


    Who's Pulling Your Strings?: How to Break the Cycle of Manipulation and Regain Control of Your Life


    Crucial Conversations

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    Could use some help, going to HR next week...

    Posted by: Fly_Girl
    Date: 6/12/2008 9:12:17 PM

    When I first started my job, my boss seemed to love me. She said I showed more initiative in four days than the previous employees ever did.

    A month later, we were having our first "informal" discussion about my behavior. Her complaints? I took too many notes during staff meetings, I took it upon myself to do things when I wasn't asked, I needed to remember that our environment was casual and we "weren't in the business of saving lives", to "bring a book", and "don't check the registrations every day, just on the weekends you work."

    I was totally embarassed so I quit doing anything without being asked except kept asking my coworkers if they had anything I could do, I was totally bored at work.

    Next discussion, a couple of months later "you don't do anything without being asked, why aren't the registrations updated, you talk on the cell phone too much." The only complaint that went away was when I had my cell phone records pulled and it proved I was averaging, at best, 3 minutes a day on the phone, if that. On top of which, my Mother was in the hospital having open heart surgery and they kept asking me to work overtime on the week she was in the hospital after I told them I was unavailable to do so. I was also told I was being "too inflexible" about my schedule because I preferred to work afternoons (which I told them DURING the interview) and had to submit a list in writing of when I would work.

    I only got permanent status because she needed someone to work while everyone else was out on holidays. I came in to let her know way in advance of what days I would need of this year (since that was apparently a problem before) and she acted like I was asking for the world.

    My permanent status evaluation says "solid performance" but yearly evaluation says "needs improvement". This woman has me second guessing myself at every turn!!!

    The final straw came today when she told me that I was supposed to give her a list of medications that I was on. (I had told her I was a little nervous and jumpy as a side effect of a medication I had recently been placed on and volunteered a list to the unit secretary who was nervous I was going to pass out.) I told her that "no, I actually am NOT required to give you a written list of my medications. I VOLUNTEERED that information, but who I give it to is my business, not yours. All that I am REQUIRED to do is tell you that I am on it."

    I know I am going to be written up again. She contradicts herself and her boss supports her. They are all ganging up on me so they have witnesses and I have none except an 18 year old intern who told me that they always talked about me behind my back when I wasn't there (I'm part-time) and she didn't understand how I could put up with my boss being so rude to me.

    If anyone has any advice on what to say when I go to HR, I would REALLY appreciate hearing it.



    Reply from: unlucky7
    Date: 6/18/2008 6:49:00 PM
    Reply: Do not go to HR. Then you really become the problem - and they will really be watching your every move. I know nothing about the drug rules. I hope you did not tell them in advance you were on meds. If so, Keep it cool.

    Reply from: mellow_guy
    Date: 7/4/2008 8:55:00 PM
    Reply: I would immediately start looking for a new job or request to be transferred to another department. This boss is indeed toxic and is making your life very difficult. When you speak with HR, be very professional and be objective -- do not vent. Hope your situation improves.

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