How do you deal with a boss who treats you differently?

Question

This is not me being overly sensitive, other people from different departments have noticed the same thing. He hired me, while the two other people in the department have been here longer than him. I have been told that he was not to touch the other two employees as they have a lot of supporters here.

Last night I was kept here until 7pm to go over and review why something wasn't done to his standards. I was told to do the task in my own way; so I did. He doesn't like it and wants it his way. This particular task involves items that have been done incorrectly from the other people in the department. He doesn't want to upset them, so I am told to deal with it and make it pretty.

I was originally hired in a supervisory capacity, but to not upset the others in the department, my job title was changed to make them happy.

I am only talking about the immediate, as I am feverishly looking for something else. I have gone to HR; that was a waste.

Answer 1

It sounds to me that you are in a lose lose situation. If you put up with it you will continue to be taken advantage of...if you stand up for yourself, you will definitely be reprimanded.

My suggestion is to lay low and wait until something better comes up. Keep looking and you will find a good place to be. If it gets too bad find a job in another field. Who knows, you might even like it. But like is too short to be miserable.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

He does appear to be treating you differently, but unles you can prove that he is doing so because of your age, race, gender, etc., you don't have legal recourse to file a discrimination claim.

What you appear to have is a weak manager who is afraid of offending his long-term employees (probably because they know more about day-to-day operations than he does.) He is probably not going to change at this stage, so finding a new job is really your best long-term strategy.

Short term, try getting clarification from him before starting a project or task as to what the parameters will be, how much latitude you have to make decisions, etc. Then when he changes his mind you will at least be able to refer back to that discussion ("As I recell, you told me that I had complete discretion over how to complete this task. Did I misunderstand something?") Probably won't fix the problem, but you'll at least make him uncomfortable.

Answer 3

Sounds like you are in quite the pickle. You have a valid Equal Opportunity complaint. Find out who your local EO/EEO rep is and have a talk with him or her.