How to Handle an Erratic Boss

Erratic bosses may ask you to do too many tasks at once.

Dealing with a difficult boss can add untold amounts of stress to the working day and impact negatively on mental health. While it may be possible to deal with a consistently damaging boss, with an erratic boss it can be impossible to know when his behavior will change for the worse. Safeguarding your own health and happiness is the most important thing you can do when a boss is unpredictable but it also may be possible to defuse your boss's behavior or encourage new behavior patterns that will improve work life for everyone.

Things You'll Need

• Group emails
• Whiteboard
• Information sheets
• Letter of complaint

Instructions

1. Organize yourself. An erratic boss may try to give too many tasks at one time without allowing enough time for their completion. If the task requires the input of others, send a group email outlining the strategy you have decided on to complete the task. Include your boss in the email. Having a written record of your intentions can be a useful defense when a boss comes looking for incomplete work.

2. Ask your boss if you can bring a whiteboard to the office. If she asks why, explain that you would like to improve your work performance by improving your scheduling. This will help with a boss who is erratic and demanding through forgetfulness. When your boss asks you to complete a task, write it on the whiteboard in front of him. Doing so will show your boss that you are proactive and orderly while also protecting you from any accusations of not completing tasks on time.

3. Help to organize your boss to stem her erratic behavior. Compile all relevant information onto a single printout. An incompetent boss is often erratic because he is overwhelmed. You can counter this by arranging all the information she needs on one sheet, neatly laid out and in bullet points. Be subtle when doing this---suggest that you thought your boss might like to be kept aware of how near completion a task is, and so you have compiled this information to keep her in the loop.

4. Write a letter to your boss if things do not improve. Most erratic bosses behave in that manner because they are stressed or overwhelmed or not able to handle the job. Others, however, use erratic behavior to bully and to prevent the object of their bad behavior from operating on an even keel. If it becomes apparent that this is the case, write a letter to your boss outlining the most recent behavior that has upset you. Be polite and calm and do not include a litany of offenses in the letter. This will put your boss on the defense, and he may become more hostile. Keep a copy of the letter and, if necessary, write a second letter.

5. Follow the chain of command if matters do not improve. Advise your boss that you will be filing the letters with human resources, and that you intend to see a resolution. If your boss is the owner or is there is no one further up the chain of command, you might have to consider leaving and finding a new job. You may also consider taking legal action if continuing to work there becomes untenable.

References

• USA Today: Negotiate a Peace Agreement with Your Boss
• Psychology Today: Dealing with Difficult People
• Productivity 501: Dealing with an Unorganized Boss II
• Forbes: How To 'Manage Up' A Difficult Boss
• Conflict 911: How To Deal With A Difficult Boss