Help! My boss hates me because I'm hot

My boss hates me! She makes nasty comments and sends out emotional emails. Should I quit?

Miss Informed April 01, 2011
Dear Miss Informed,

I have been working at an advertising agency for six months. They pay well and my colleagues are more or less cheerful, but I’ve been feeling unhappy lately.

The reason for this is that my boss is a slave driver. She makes me work much later than I am expected to and never appreciates anything I do. She takes out her personal frustrations on me, sends out emotional e-mails and never seems to be happy with anything I do.

Sometimes, I think she just does it because she’s jealous of me; I’m better looking, younger and have more friends at work than she does.

This is my dream job and I don’t want to quit but I can’t stand this anymore. I have tried talking to her but she will not listen. Should I grin and bear it or stand up for my self at the risk losing my job?

Please help.

Depressed but dedicated

*************************************************

Dear depressed but dedicated,

Your boss sounds like a dragon. It can’t be easy to work for someone who ignores your commitment and only throws criticism your way. I am sorry that you are the object of her anger; it’s a bit of a sticky situation because low morale may affect your performance, which means more criticism and more work misery.

If this is the job you love than don't let a moody co-worker frighten you off. Finding a career you love is not easy and there is no reason another person should push you away from a path that you deserve to be on. While the workplace is no place is for personal frustrations, the fact is that when dealing with people anywhere we must all be prepared for a few dragons.

Here are a few things you can do:

  • Reflect on your performance: do you think your work might not be up to the mark? Maybe the problem is you, and not her.

  • Chit chat: discuss your problem with a trusted colleague to find out if you are being singled out. Do others feel this way as well? If so, you know that this is your boss' temperament and something you may have to accept.

  • Talk to the HR department about your problem. I know you have communicated your feelings to her, but perhaps she will take the complaint more seriously if HR sits her down and says that the issue is getting out of hand. It might make her realise that she can’t get away with being nasty to you and should re-assess her attitude.

  • If that doesn’t work, weigh the pros and cons of sticking it out at your current workplace. Sure, the pay is good and your colleagues are nice. But do the constant demoralising quips affect your productivity?

  • Most importantly - get over yourself! Not everything is about looks and popularity. You may be younger than her, but she probably has tonnes of experience that has helped her reach where she is. Focus on your career rather than your boss, and remember that at the end of the day you both want the same thing: increased productivity and a happy work place.


Good luck!

Do you have a problem that you can’t solve all by your lonesome? Miss Informed is here to help! E-mail her at informed.sorta@gmail.com
WRITTEN BY:
Miss Informed A Karachi-based social guru who will help untangle all the complex questions life throws your way. Ask Miss Informed for advice on romance, work, family or even how to make the perfect pumpkin pie!
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (14)

Umair Waheed Sheikh, Khayban e Hafiz,Karachi | 12 years ago | Reply Well the photo leaves quite to the imagination of the reader! Your boss must be something!
Junior | 12 years ago | Reply Dear Miss Informed.. don't you think 02 suggestions of your can put any1's career at stake??? Chit chat with colleague and inform HR??? I just have 3 years of working experience and what I've learned so far that you DON'T have a trusted colleague except yourself and secondly, HR always there to support your BOSS not you. Try not to give suggestion to any1 which may put sum1 career in danger. And Dear Miss Informed my suggestion to you is you don't have to stay at this firm for you whole life do you???? If yes than you are in dilemma, and if don't, then just get experience, increase tenure counting, put it on CV and move onnnnnnn !!!!!!!!!! :) Just survive there for few years thats it. Anyway, best of luck.... and best of luck for me too as I have the same motive...
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