How do I deal with my difficult boss?

Question

I`ve worked for him for several years,you cannot talk to him.
If I ever ask a question his reply is "send me an email".
He shouts if anything ever goes wrong,even though I`m not to blame.I know that perhaps your response would be to get another job,however he does pay me well,and there is not many better career opportunities open to me.
Should I put up with him for the money,or should I earn less and be stress free?

Answer 1

No one can answer that question but yourself. Also is he your employer as well as your boss or are you both employed by the same company? Consider the following.
Go
He is passing on his stress to you. Stress is a killer. He's not going to change. Your fear is that you cannot get the same money at another job. You almost certainly can. Have confidence in yourself and look around.
Stay
What benefits other than money will you lose if you leave?
He will not change but you can change your attitude so that you feel less stress.
Or if he values you he will read your email explaining your problem and modify his behaviour. (Employment Rights Act 1996 Adverse treatment within the workplace may create a situation where the employee finds it untenable to continue in the work and subsequently resigns. This could result in the company appearing before an Employment Tribunal accused of constructive dismissal.)

Answer 2

I also have a boss like yours, but mine doesn't pay well. I have been putting up with it for a long time, and I realize that I bring the stress from work home with me. I seem to be in a horrible mood all the time, and I don't laugh as much as I used to. I am looking for another job because I would rather be happy where I work, even if I get paid less. I can't handle the stress anymore.

So it's up to you. If he is the boss, chances are he is not going to change. So you can either put up with a difficult boss and get paid more, or look for another job where you will actually enjoy working.

Answer 3

Sadly there are some people out there who feel that if they aren't being an insufferable prick then they aren't 'supervsing' properly. I worked under a detective lieutenant from the 'old school' who when you'd break an extrodinary case would say "Don't rest on your laurels...what are you going to do for me tomorrow?". Of course that was a monor example of his rotteness...if there is such a word.
So...despite the stress if its relatively tolerable and the pay is good i say ride with it. Decompress at home. In fact, that's really the only sanctuary that you have.
As far as the e-mail thing goes....that just tells me he doesn't know the answer and he doesn't want to look like a complete boob in front of you by not knowing the answer.
Plus...this guy sounds like the type that will solicit your input and then present it as his own so he looks good in the eyes of his superiors and you and your co-workers get no credit for the idea.
Thats alright. He won't be there forever and people like that fall into their own trap due to their underhanded ways and lack of job knowledge.

Answer 4

If you can wash all the aggravation off your back,then keep the job, if how every the stress of dealing with him is affecting the rest of your life, then go on and look for another opportunity
My guess is that he pays so well because he knows he is not a very good person to work for, so the extra money you are getting is really ( I AM PAYING FOR THE PRIVILEGE TO YELL AT YOU WHEN EVER I LIKE)
One trick for me is, when ever someone yells at me or is rude, I quickly visualize them in an embarrassing position, the more embarrassing the better, that brings a giggle and a smile to my face that quickly diffuses what they have done or said that offended me, works for me.!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

A career is not built up working exclusively for one boss. What you have is a job - not quite the same thing. Work on learning how not responding to the shouting - imagine that he says the same things in a normal voice. If he's being unreasonable then you should move on rapidly as there is nothing to be gained by being a doormat, no matter how well paid.

Answer 6

i would give him a slap round the face and tell him to stop being difficult!LOL
No seriously you should speak to him, you say you cant talk to him but he has ears and can hear you so if you want to talk to him he doesnt have much choice but to listen. As an employer he has a responsibility to you to treat you with a certain amount of respect and to provide a comfortable working environment. Nobody has to put up with something they are not happy with.

Answer 7

most of them are the same,by changing th job you won't guarantee a better boss.
he is stubborn,bossy, nervous,moody but you get well paid
i think you have 2 options here
you leave the job and find another one and hope you are lucky then or
stay where you are ,be ready to stand for your rights of a good treatment and be strong enough to know the laws and to use it when its needed
believe me these rude bosses they would never change unless we have a word with them
they do abuse us,cauz we are allow them to

chill out and keep smiling ,its not worth to stress yourself

Answer 8

There will be difficult bosses wherever you go. These problems seem manageable to me. Learn to have a sense of humor about your boss. Lay low and stay off his radar, do this by always looking busy. Good luck ... maybe he'll burn out or get promoted and leave your office.

Answer 9

you do not tell us whether you work with one man business company or public business. Call your boss and let him know you want to happily work for him but he should make it easy for you as bulling you will make you to make more mistakes.
he may have reason for behaving that way. if you must talk to him through mail, do not suffer in silence. meanwhile, be on the lookout for another. Do not throw away the little water in your brook because of mere cloud; suppose the rain fail to fall, what happens to you.

Answer 10

You can't say their is not another opportunity for you unless you look , you should not stay in an environment that make you feel uncomfortable Maybe this is God's way of telling you their is something else out there for you get your resume together and start looking Please don't stay where you are miserable you only live once live happy