How to Handle Bad Bosses in the Work Place
A bad boss may display a number of negative traits, including yelling, unreliability, vagueness, leading by intimidation, defensiveness and avoiding conflict instead of addressing it. Conversely, a good boss retains good employees by applying positive traits, including returning calls and emails, showing tolerance, listening properly and building trust through discretion. Having a bad boss can stir negative emotions within you and deplete your motivation. You can counteract the problem by taking certain actions.
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Instructions
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Understand that your boss may not be aware of his bad behavior. For example, if he’s too laid-back and does not provide the direction and feedback you need to grow as an employee, he may not be aware that he’s being too hands-off. Further, it’s possible he did not receive the appropriate training for his position or was promoted too quickly and therefore lacks the necessary leadership skills.
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Refrain from mirroring your boss’s bad behavior, no matter how tempting. For example, if your boss shouts at you, stay calm rather than yelling back.
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Request a private meeting with your boss by email or telephone. Record the date and time that you made the request and save the written communication.
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Choose your words carefully when expressing your feelings to your boss. For example, rather than accuse him of having an “attitude problem,” use words that are less confrontational and subjective, such as “behavior” or “conduct,” when addressing his actions.
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Avoid generalizations by explaining specific situations that led to you feel the way you do. For example, if you have brought a problem to your boss’s attention before but he ignored it and it persists, explain how the present situation relates to the prior one. Your goal in speaking with your boss is to get him to see how his behavior is negatively affecting you so he can change it. Document what happened during the meeting and the outcome.
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Speak with your boss’s superior or your company's human resources department about your boss’s behavior if he refuses to change it. Provide proof of the steps you took to resolve the matter with your boss. If other employees are affected by your boss’s negative behavior or if HR or your boss’s superior doubts your complaint, pool together the respective employees so the scope of the issue can be noted.
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Request a transfer to another department or seek employment elsewhere if your boss’s bad behavior continues and you do not foresee it changing.
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Tips & Warnings
The human resources department or your boss’s superior may not disclose how they addressed the problem with your boss, as the matter may be confidential. For example, HR may require your boss to undergo leadership training for a certain time frame. Therefore, allow a reasonable amount of time to pass before deciding whether your boss’s conduct has changed.
