Should I take her seriously?

Question

I work in a hotel....the people that own it are from India...great group of people....I really like my boss...Shantu....his wife on the other hand....Damu is kind of hard to handle sometimes...I have been doing this line of work for 10 yrs now & know what I am doing.....but it never fails....EVERYTIME I work she comes into the Lobby & tries to tell me how to do my job in front of the guests...then she rants about how Americans are lazy & dont want to work for her money....she gets me so flustered sometimes...I am not the only one she does this too...it is everyone...she has nothing to do with the Front Desk, but she sets up the Breakfast every morning & she is Head of Housekeeping...she comes in every morning at 5a & starts demanding to know why this & why that....why did this guest get put in this room...if I say I didnt check him in...she says it is my duty to know these things...I am Front Desk...we have gone to the GM who is her Husband & asked him to talk to her...it did no good..

How do I ask her to back off & stop embarrasing me in front of our guests without offending her & or losing my job...some days I want to just scream at her to SHUT UP & GO AWAY!...but I know I will be fired if I did....lol......any suggestions...I just got off work & she just did this to me...the guy wanted a reciept for his room & when I started printing one out...she started yelling at me that since he was a Credit Card payer..he doesnt need a reciept!...He finally told her that he ASKED me for one...she wouldnt let me say anything...she just started snatching things out my hand & belittling me

Answer 1

Hello Mystic fairy,

If you could smuck her with your magic wand then you wouldn't have asked this question.

ANYWAY, this is my answer:
Obviously, Damu has an intense personality and temperament. But I think she has overused this kind of leadership style.

1. Try to talk to your boss about Damu's way of leading or "co-leading". And even before you go to your boss, make sure your work performance is highly commendable. Otherwise, they will use your performance as a tool against you.

2. The best way to deal with this kind of leadership style is to act strong in front of them. Meekness is not their language. I'm not saying you should scream, snatch back what she had snatched from you, etc. But don't show you are intimidated. If you show you are afraid, they become nervous and therefore they react by shouting, etc.

3. So, practice a confident look in front of the mirror and wear this everytime you meet her. If she gives abusive remarks you look her in the eye and say, "Thank you Madam for your (concern, suggestion, advice, instructions, etc.) I will surely do my best to make this business profitable." Then move on with your work while PUTTING EVERY HURTFUL EMOTIONS AT THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD.

all the best my friend.

Answer 2

You might explain to her that yes this is America and she may think Americans are lazy but it is America and here it is against labor laws to treat employees as she is treating you and that it is not good business to treat employees like this in front of customers. It can cause a bad reputation for their establishment. Ask her what you can do to have a better work relationship with her so that work does not have so stressful. You have got a porcupine on your hands girl and I'm afraid that no matter what you do your going to get stuck.

Answer 3

Wow...sounds like you have let this one build up in your chest. Well, it's a hard situation since she's your boss but you have to pull her to the side and tell her how you feel. Do it with humility but be firm. Prepare yourself for anything because she may be inclined to fire you.