Unfortunately many of you out there in the working world have to deal with individuals who are not equipped mentally or emotionally, to be leading people. The film "Horrible Bosses" is an extreme example of this problem, and has a happy ending ,whereas most instances the employee is the one who ends up suffering and not the boss. Well my problem has and always will be, my reluctance to keep quiet if I feel my manager(s) act inappropriately. I have and always will have a sense of justice when it comes to taking down a boss who I think is either abusing his/her privileges, or is just plain stupid. Personally, I have left two companies in the wake of a terrible manager, but even though I quit, I made sure that they were fired in the process. Here's how you deal with a boss who is an ASS:
1. Document, Document, Document - As a manager we were always advised to document each "incident" with an employee, so I always did the same as an employee. When I had an issue with a manager I would be sure to write down the time, date, and the purported infraction, so that I could prepare a case against that person IF NECESSARY. It's so easy to spot lousy managers that you'll know right off if you need to start keeping track of their indiscretions. One or two off color remarks is not going to do the trick. You need a solid pattern of behavior, and witnesses to what transpired. And save reports, emails, or anything that will help your case. Otherwise all your documentation becomes a "she said versus he said" situation, which accomplishes nothing.
2. Network With Other Employees - If a manager is bad, chances are there are a lot of other employees talking shit about that person. Why? Because they're a jerk, and when employees are abused they need to talk about it. I can remember one general manager who I started working for introduced himself and then he would just hold your hand while shaking it and stare at you in a creepy way. He explained that he like to make employees feel uncomfortable. Wow that's a great management philosophy! I talked to a lot of other managers/supervisors about this guy during his tenure in charge and come to find out, he was an asshole to everyone. Eventually he ended up getting fired, but I had a whole slew of incidents documenting his weird behavior, including sleeping with a female employee and getting caught snorting cocaine off of her breasts in the bathroom. I wonder why he got fired?
3. Keep Your Enemies Close - It is very important for you to stay close to these buttheads just to make sure you can get enough documentation on them in order to get them fired. Besides, most of the bad bosses are the type who try to fire you without grounds for termination so it's best to get on their good side. I'm not saying be friendly, but I am saying don't make any enemies, and don't make waves until it's necessary. I don't know how many times I gritted my teeth until I could find enough on someone to have them terminated. You have to be patient, and no matter how disgruntled you get, don't move too quickly or you might be the one who is fired.
4. Let Them Hang Themselves - This is an old saying that managers always say about their employees. "Ah give them enough rope and they'll hang themselves". Well the same adage applies to managers. Generally speaking if they're a bad manager, then they will feel comfortable enough around you and other employees to do something stupid and get fired. If they like you enough, they'll do it right in front of you, because they assume you will protect them. Don't! Document the offense and keep it to yourself until it's time to tell corporate or someone else just how bad this person is as a manager.
5. Avoid Reporting To Local HR - I once worked for a company where the HR person was in collusion with the general manager and I made the mistake of reporting a racial slur I heard in a meeting. The HR person immediately reported it to the offending senior manager, and they were quickly taking steps to have my ass fired or transferred, and I was their best manager. Fortunately the VP got involved and asked "Why are you harassing our best manager in the region?" I learned after that to avoid reporting to local HR but instead to build up a case for presentation to either corporate HR or the CEO.
6. Prepare Your Resume - If you are stuck in a situation with a bad boss, don't stand for it , but also be prepared to move on to a new company. Years ago "job hopping" was frowned upon, but now people regularly change jobs. It's not worth it to stay in a bad situation if you're not being treated properly. Why should you allow some creep to ruin your life when you can most certainly ruin theirs as well? I learned a long time ago that if someone messes with me or my livelihood that karma is going to get them fired. Well, karma and a few well documented incidents of abuse or harassment that are reported to corporate.
7. Be Honest and Objective - Do not start making shit up because you don't like your boss. That's just wrong and makes you WORSE than them. At least they are assholes and they know it, but you making up stories to destroy their career makes you an even bigger jerk and a liar. Be honest with yourself. If you did screw up and they got on you, and it was legitimate, then take it as constructive criticism. You can't get people fired because you suck at your job and they let you know just how badly you suck. It's not right, and it's petty. However, it they hassle and harass you and you're doing your job well, then by all means it's open season on that manager. Be honest and be objective, meaning don't let personal feelings cloud your perception of the situation. (And don't try to plant cocaine on a fellow employee's chest in hopes that the manager will come by and take a snort)
8. Be Anonymous - Recently federal law has mandated that "whistle blowers" can't be fired for reporting indiscretions by senior management. Big deal! That's going to save your job but not your career. I would not make this a public incident, but rather send an Anonymous certified letter or letters to corporate HR or the CEO and report the manager. If you have built up a sufficient case, then they will do the rest of the investigating into the manager. There is no sense in you sticking your neck out and ending your career with that company. Nowadays, these incidents are so frequent that they'll already have experience in how to handle the situation and they won't risk a lawsuit. Rather, they'll do their own research and determine, "Oh yeah this person is an asshole and we better fire them before they become too much of a liability".
I can tell you that these methods are successful in removing a bad person from a position of power. I wish I could train the "asshole gene" out of these people, but unfortunately I can't, they are just to stubborn. The traits which might have made them a great sales rep, or service rep, do not always translate to effectively managing people. So don't feel bad if you get them fired. You're doing them a service because it's not something they are good at, and you're doing your fellow employees a service, because it's unfair for them to have to suffer any longer under a terrible boss. You do have options, and one of them is to stay on board, work at getting your boss out of their position, and make your own life a helluva lot easier.
Good luck and good selling!
-M
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