How to Tell a Boss He's Bad

Telling a bad boss what you think of him is a rather sticky proposition. You don't want to lose your job, but you can't bear to work under him for much longer if something doesn't change. The trick to telling your boss he's bad is to approach the situation with tact and class.

Instructions

1. Decide what's most important to you. Picking your battles is important when it comes to dealing with a bad boss. You may want to bite your tongue over his bad breath and inappropriate jokes, but speak up about to the way he runs the department and how that affects the way you work. If you choose your battles correctly, no one can say that you aren't being fair.

2. Do a little at a time. No one wants to be attacked on several fronts at once, so your best course of action is to bring things up one at a time after you've become a valuable member of the team.

3. Remain respectful. Even if you think your boss is an idiot, you need to refrain from saying so. Keep it civil, and stick with facts. Address it in a cool way and suggest ways that he can improve or ask him if he has any ideas. If your boss becomes defensive, back down and approach the subject at a later date.

4. Rally the troops. Sometimes the best way to confront your bad boss is with a group of co-workers. That way you have someone to back you up and you don't have to be the sole employee responsible for such a discussion.

5. Know when to back down. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you can't make someone change. It may be your boss's personality or perhaps there are factors beyond your control that you don't understand. Either way, don't hold a grudge. Find a way to move past it.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't hold things back for too long or you may find it difficult to make a stand once something major does come up.

• Avoid personal opinions or attacks, as those will only come back to haunt you later.