You Can’t Stand Your Boss, Now What?
Photo by Craig Adderley from Pexels
Despite how much we all may enjoy our jobs, there’s always at least one person with whom we may butt heads. It can be a customer, a co-worker, and sometimes your boss. Unfortunately, issues with your boss can lead to heightened stress levels, lower productivity levels, and possibly termination in extreme cases (Better Health Channel). If you’re having problems with your boss, use the following tips to help you make the right decisions moving forward.
Take care of your mental health
No matter what the situation is, always prioritize your mental health first. Dealing with a troublesome boss can take a toll on you mentally, which can later affect your physical health. Do breathing exercises, take a walk, or call a friend during your lunch break as a form of self-care while you’re at work to reduce your stress levels.
Analyze your boss’s work style
This is a big one! Sometimes, the issue is that you haven’t figured out what type of boss you have, which can cause a lot of miscommunication and frustration between the two of you. Do they micromanage? Do they prefer to have tasks done in a specific format? Take some time to discover how your boss likes to operate and see if you can match their preferences with how you work. Finding ways to reduce friction between you and your boss by adjusting your work style can make a world of a difference.
Take stock of your career goals
Before you think of quitting - take stock of your career goals. Why? It’s important to discern when you should stick it out and try to restructure a working relationship for the benefit of your long-term career goals and when it simply does not seem worth it. When you’re finding it hard to work with your boss, ask yourself - “What do I really want to get out of this work experience”? Knowing your values, interests, skills and abilities and having a sense of what your intention is in a role, can help you decide how to move forward.
Talk with HR
If you have a toxic boss, you’re likely not the only one who runs into issues with them. Instead of causing a confrontation that may lead to immediate termination, speak with the HR (Human Resources) department. HR can assist you in addressing your concerns professionally, providing solutions that may help improve your relationship with your boss.
Decide to stay or go
If all else fails, it’s time to consider leaving your job. You’ve done everything to improve your circumstances, but if your boss isn’t willing to make adjustments, you need to find a better work environment. Depending on the company's size, there may be other opportunities in another department you may be able to relocate to. If there aren’t any openings available, or you’re just ready to leave, have another job lined up before submitting your two-week notice.
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