My boss is patronising, domineering and just plain overbearing. I've only been in this job for 6 months though

Question

My employment history is four estate agents (redundancy each time) an investment company (which folded) and a telecommunications company which i left after a year due to my job not going anywhere. All this in 4 years.

I'm desperately looking for a new position. Currently working at NHS Direct but i literally can't work with my boss any longer. She used to be a PA in London and she's still a PA but not in London. She needs to realise things are very different in the suburbs!!

Should I continue with this job for a while longer or look for a different job in the same organisation?

Answer 1

If you have a grievance you should get it put in writing and have your union rep deal with the issue.

You boss needs to understand that theirs a difference between management and being a PA and that the way people are treated in public sector is different than private sector.

Theirs the other side of the coin, it could be you being too uptight and a jobs worth. Maybe your shirking some of your responsibility and the backlash is your boss pulling you up for it.

Theirs ALWAYS two sides to story...

Answer 2

First of all, it's always seen as negative for people to go through so many jobs in such a short period of time, even when, as in your case, you sound like you have some very legitimate reasons for this. So you may be best to try to stick it out for a while.

But my first thoughts are that you may struggle to find a good job in a different company. You might like to look into temping or into taking on a long-term contract such as a maternity cover role. This very much depends on your personal situation because in no way can it be guaranteed that you would be in constant work, so if you've got a mortgage to pay then it's definitely not a good option, but on the other hand I successfully supported myself for a period of two and a half years while temping (and I do mean all by myself, no partner or parents to support me). Of course, you don't say where exactly you live, and temp work is definitely easier to find in big cities than in other areas. The reason why I think temping would be a good option for you is that employers are more likely to overlook your erratic work history, and if you put in a good performance, then they may take you on permanently.

If you try to find another job in the same organisation, there are a few things that you need to be aware of. Firstly, many companies have a time limit on how long you need to be employed before you can apply to another position - it's usually one year.

Secondly, they will definitely pick up an internal reference from your current manager and will also refer to notes from any performance reviews that you have had. Whilst it's technically illegal to give someone a poor reference, if she really is that bad, it's likely that she's given you poor comments on your reviews. If she has a reputation within the company for being that awful, then anything she says/writes will be taken with a pinch of salt, but if others aren't aware then they may take her at her word.

Also remember that for any new job that you apply to, you will be asked why you want to leave your current position. It's obviously not good to say that you don't get on with your boss, but if you're applying outside of the company it's a lot easier to just make something up than it would be if you're applying internally.

But bear in mind that whatever you do - be it move to another position internally, or go to a different company - you really are taking your chances with managers and colleagues. In no way can you guarantee that you won't have a repeat experience! In fact, if you work with a large group of people the chances of you getting on with every single one of them are probably quite slim. So do think about whether moving on would really solve your problems at all.

BTW I am just curious - please can you clarify exactly what you mean by "she needs to realise that things are very different in the suburbs!!" Are you implying that everyone in London is patronising and domineering? Because if so, that's not true at all!

Answer 3

Sounds familiar...
My boss is a complete... er, can't think of a polite word to say... a patronising, up himself, ego tripping baw bag.
He used to spend his days sitting in another room so it was bearable because I could avoid him and just do the work (which I happen to love) but he's decided to move into the engineering office with the other engineer and myself... oh dear god! He doesn't shut up for one second - and all he talks about is drivel. He changes your priorities from the big important time critical projects to some complete waste of time, then when the important work is delayed he throws his toys out the pram and has a hissy fit at everyone (well I bloody well told him I was doing something more important than having to go fill his effin' car with diesel...) The man behaves like a child and has no social graces... BUT, (yes I will come to the point in a moment) the best piece of advice I was given was to simply remember that its his company so its his rules. I just do what he tells me no matter how stupid I really think it is... I bite my tongue. When it goes horribly wrong I say, well you told me to do it (and here's the evidence, if available). The deep breath and count to 10 works for me (and complaining like **** down the pub after work...). I plan to stay here for possibly another year - so I'll have 3 years in total and that will look good on my CV. Looking at your career history you good do with a good run for a bit at this job - so many jobs in a short space of time doesn't look good - I know it's not your fault.
I hope you can stick it out, remembering that you don't have to live with, socialise with or like the a-holes that you work with. Don't let some petty minded eejit ruin your career, your more than likely worth 20 of her.
Best of luck to you.

Answer 4

Though London and the suburbs are different the fact that she is a PA does not change depending on location. If that is her job role that that is what it is.

Maybe you mean her behaviour should change due to where she is at? Your problems with this woman are not very specific.

If you can't explain the issues here in writing how will you communicate your problems verbally at work?

Answer 5

Your boss is not going to change in the short term so you need to look for a new job, either with NHS Direct or somewhere else.

Answer 6

A horrible boss can make your life miserable and life is too short to put up with horrible people. I've had spiteful bosses and have gotten out before I got sick with worry. Get out while you can and explain to the bosses higher up why you cannot work for her. Good luck and don't let it get you down. She's obviously not a people person.

Answer 7

a million. "[...] he's been steadily better stressful of myself and my lady boss [...]" 2. "[...] immediately he unveiled a sparkling piece of work not one of the crew are prepared to do - he allotted 9 of the responsibilities to myself, 8 to the responsibilities of comprise assigned to my lady line manger and four others are chop up between the different 4 adult men. [...]" 3. "[...] i change into no longer the most junior member of team, in basic terms the most junior lady. [...]" 4. "[...] after I requested, why he replied why no longer? " nicely, those are sparkling signs and indicators of sexism! yet be careful, because he can discover justifications - in order to conceal up his concepts-set AND INCOMPETENCE. this way of bosses are very diffused and somewhat nicely suitable, so your odds are especially week!

Answer 8

do what my friend did in the NHS, hang on in there until a suitable job or transfer comes along then apply for it.

Answer 9

Don't let her ruin a good job = get a transfer away from her .. let some-one else take the aggro ..