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Home > Careers & Employment > Goverment & Non-Profit > My boss is insecure in his authority & he's trying to make my life miserable.?

My boss is insecure in his authority & he's trying to make my life miserable.?

Category: Goverment & Non-Profit

akqriakqri


Most folks in my office think my supervisor got his job by catering to higher ups rather than through hard work. I have really tried to stay neutral on the issue, but my boss acts very immature and has some obvious gaps in her knowledge of the work we do. But, some degree of not knowing is par for the industry as many issues are unsettled in the field. At any rate, my boss & one other supervisor seem to think I don't respect their authority and now they're trying to make my life miserable, or possibly worse. There are a many other supervisors and all the supervisees answer to all the supervisors in almost everything we do and all the other supervisors and even their supervisors think very highly of me and my work - so much so that when they had to pick two of us to stay and let 20 others go, I was one of the two chosen to stay. I have tried to tell my boss and the other supervisor that I respect their authority, but it seems they're out for revenge and I don't know how far they might go. The problem all began when, on separate occasions, they said I had made an error and I was able to show them that what I had done was correct. In my prior employment, that was always appreciated because it was important to get things right, but in this job, it seems there is greater emphasis on knuckling under no matter how wrong the supervisor(s) may be and despite the fact that we can be, and often have been, sued for errors. Since my attempts to assure both these supervisors that I absolutely respect their knowledge, experience, authority, etc., have failed, I've adopted the strategy of just letting them constantly pick apart my work (which is all reported to higher ups). Meanwhile, in my dealings with all the supervisors & their supervisors, I try to do everything the way a dream employee would. I have well-documented grounds for a grievance, but I absolutely do NOT want to do that. My question is should I stay the course of trying to be a dream employee & keep my mouth shut (I'm actively looking for a new job), or is there something else I should try? Your wise counsel will be greatly appreciated.

OverRuled23
OverRuled23

I understand you've documented grounds for a grievance. Good; and good for you for proving they were wrong. They don't like it. Tough. Keep the ball in your court.

Also, consider this: it seems as though the days of working up through the ranks are over. No more is it What You Know - it's Who You Know. You really don't know who's connected to who, or who cells/texts who on weekends/before, during and after work/on vacation/even on sick days(!) I've figured it out after working on one job where a coworker was allowed to do anything she wanted-including cursing out a prominent person-because she kissed-up. No reprimand, no dismissal-and this was a public agency.

Sounds as though there's a vendetta against you. You'd think some people would have left middle-school behavior behind.

Meanwhile - maintain your professionalism. Every time you complete a project or assignment, check it and double ckeck, even with another coworker if possible. Document, and/or make a copy.

Next time they pick apart your work - ask why and ask for specifics. Whether or not they're willing to tell you - document, including full names/titles/dept./date/place of meeting/even their conduct, i.e. belligerent, arrogant, etc., the fact you asked (your exact question), and their response. Also ask them what makes them think you're not respecting their authority-and include that question, and their response in your documentation. What you're doing is standing up for your integrity. They're trying to tear you down.

Start a chain-of-command. I'd send a copy of every documentation to my supervisor anyway, as proof you're aware of what she's doing. If nothing's resolved within a timely manner, or after sending those copies you're still getting grief, next case is whoever's over your supervisor. Nothing's resolved? Next case is HR. Send them copies; meanwhile document if necessary. The chain-of-command proves you notified your supervisor, her supervisor, HR, and nothing was resolved. Lawyers and Courts love the chain-of-command route.

I say don't let them force you out; however continue looking for another job. Let's speculate. If, in the meantime, you're unfortunately fired either on some unfounded charge, or because you 'dared' to speak up, seek legal council with your documentation. You're being harassed = Hostile Environment. Illegal. Your documentation should prove as such.

Can't say it enough - keep documenting. Good luck.

cainvest1
cainvest1

Stay the course and continue to look for better opportunities. Sometimes you just have to smile internally at how inept some managers can be. As long as you are trying to the right thing and do, you have nothing to fear.

But keep an off-site file just in case.


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