How to Deal With Stress With a Boss

Don't confront your boss in anger, talk to him.

The work environment can cause temporary stress. For instance, you have to write a report within 24 hours or do additional work because your co-worker took an unexpected vacation. However, a permanent stress can come in the form of your boss. You can find ways to relieve the stress your boss causes by performing Yoga, talking to friends or taking a day off from work. Nevertheless, these stress management techniques are only temporary. You still have to cope with the stress -- whether it’s abusive language, sarcastic remarks or constant heavy workload -- your boss causes you. Or you can do something about it.

Instructions

1. Work hard and get the job done to the best of your abilities. Remain professional and don’t change your attitude or personality. Show your boss that no matter what kind of stress he causes you, you won’t quit or break down.

2. Talk to a mentor or trusted co-worker to get a second opinion on your boss' behavior.

3. Write a short list of issues you want to discuss with your boss, and provide examples. For instance, pick the behaviors or actions he’s done that causes you stress, like berating you.

4. Schedule an appointment with your boss in writing. Send a formal request in a letter through inter office mail or email. Document that you’re speaking with him about the stress he’s causing.

5. Discuss your concerns with your boss in a neutral area such as the conference room, if you don’t want to talk on his “territory” (his office).

6. Give your boss time to change his behavior. For example, you may want to give her a month to stop being abusive or causing you stress.

Tips & Warnings

• When meeting with your boss, you may want to ask a third party such as a co-worker or Human Resources representative to sit in on the meeting. This way your boss can't say something happened that really didn’t.

• Talk with your boss’s boss. Retaliation is a possibility. Your boss may change his behavior for a short time, continue his behavior or become worse. When any of these things occur, you may have to formally request a meeting with his boss for further discussion.

References

• Healthy Place: Managing Your Boss
• Business Coach, Inc.: Common “Bad Boss” Behavior and How to Deal with It