A difficult boss is a leading cause of workplace stress.
Problems with employee-boss relations are some of the most common workplace stressors. In fact, over 30,000 workers filed harassment charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2009. A boss who appears incompetent or difficult has a negative impact on workplace morale and productivity. Employees may feel they have little recourse for dealing with a bad boss. In an unstable job market, finding a new job is usually not a viable solution. Fortunately, there are professional ways to resolve many cases of workplace conflict.
Instructions
Handle a Difficult and Incompetent Boss
1. Evaluate yourself. Examine ifyou are taking constructive criticism personally. If so, look at this feedback as a learning opportunity and a chance for growth rather than a reflection on your personal worth. Think if you are overreacting to stress. Exercise an adequate sleep help reduce stress levels. If stress is causing serious physical or mental issues, seek professional medical help. Admitting that stress is a problem for you does not mitigate your boss's inappropriate actions.
2. Determine the cause of your boss's behavior, if possible. Document all interactions with your boss and look for patterns in his mood and actions. Ask yourself has he always behaved like this, or is this a recent development. Notice if he treat all employees the same, or if you feel targeted or singled out. Observe other employees and see if there are negative behaviors like gossip and blame-shifting running rampant in your office. If this is the case, chances are you are not the only one affected by the boss's shortcomings. You can then choose whether to discuss the issue with your boss, take further action or simply accept the situation as part of your work environment.
3. Speak to your boss directly if appropriate. If you feel that she is reacting to something you have done (or failed to do), address the situation in a mature and professional manner. Find a convenient time to speak to her privately. Organize talking points if needed. Let her know that you feel your mistake has created some tension and ask how you can rectify the situation. Although it may seem unfair to accept all the responsibility when your boss handles a situation poorly, this can prevent the problem from escalating and save you from future stress.
4. If you are in no way at fault, or if talking to your boss did not improve the situation, document incidents and talk to a human resources representative. The department may not take immediate action, but it is important to have your complaint officially documented in the event that the situation escalates.
5. File a harassment claim if you believe your boss is targeting you because of your race, gender, age, disability status, religious beliefs or other protected factors. Contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as soon as possible. In most locales, you must file a claim within 180 days of the incident. Before you file, have well-documented notes.
