7 Top Signs You Have a Really Bad Boss.

We’ve all had that one boss we couldn’t stand. You know, the one you don’t miss when they are on leave or the one who makes you feel elated whenever they call in sick. Anything that keeps them at bay is highly welcomed.

It’s challenging to maintain your sanity when working under a terrible supervisor. They make you dread getting out of bed every day, and work feels like a constant struggle. Too much exposure to such toxicity can affect your physical and mental well-being.

According to recent studies, 76% of people in the workforce have toxic supervisors, and only 17% can attribute their bosses as mentors. So, how do you know if you have a really bad boss? Read on and find out!

They Can’t Keep Their Cool.

Nothing makes you dread going to work more than an out-of-control boss. You have no idea if they will throw the stapler at you or splash hot coffee on your face. It’s bizarre.

Yelling and throwing tantrums in the workplace is highly unprofessional. Nobody should be subjected to that kind of psychological abuse.

If your supervisor has occasional outbursts, insults you or bangs their fist on the table during a meeting, it’s time to have a candid conversation with them. Alternatively, it may be time to consider another position or workplace.

They Take Credit for Your Work.

Research shows that one of the most common traits of a bad manager is that they take all the credit. They are happy to receive awards, gifts, and accolades for work they had little to no input in. They diminish their team’s hard work in favour of making themselves look good.

It feels horrible when you’ve poured yourself into a project, only for your supervisor to hog all the credit. It’s demotivating and nearly dehumanising.

When your boss takes all the credit, it limits your growth in the company and your career. It is also a sure sign of disrespect, and you shouldn’t have to put up with it.

They Play Favourites in the Office.

Do you always have to explain why you are 10 minutes late to work, but your colleague Lucy can skip an entire day with no explanation and repercussions? Does Lucy get all the international work trips, while the furthest you’ve been is into the Human Resources’ office to explain why you sneezed in a meeting while your boss was addressing a serious matter?

Human beings are hard-wired to have preferences. It’s in our nature. However, preferential treatment at work is unethical. It is unfair and can breed animosity among the employees.

It’s nerve-wrecking when your boss plays favourites in the office. It feels like you are still in high school, and the cool kids are sidelining you with their inside jokes and secret meetings. The missing cherry on top is when you miss out on a promotion simply because you aren’t on good terms with your manager.  Devastating!!

They Are Poor Communicators.

A bad boss rarely communicates effectively. For instance, they can assign you a particular task without providing a deadline for it. Then, an hour later, they ask why you haven’t completed the ‘urgent task’.

Perhaps they enjoy seeing you squirm and rush to meet deadlines, or they are simply poor communicators. Either way, take it upon yourself to ask as many questions as possible for clarity.

Bad managers also lack listening skills. They listen to respond instead of listening to understand. Therefore, communication with such supervisors is unclear, delayed, and one-sided. Thus, making your work twice as hard.

They Have a Snaky Character.

Some people have a two-faced character. The kind that smiles at your face, then stabs you in the back when you least expect it. Sometimes, such people also become managers, and they can be horrible.

It’s hard to work under such a boss. You don’t really know where you stand with them. Today, they can compliment you on a good job well done, hype you, and even organise a celebratory party in your honour. Then tomorrow, they hand you a dismissal letter with no explanations.

Two-faced bosses can charm you into thinking they are your friend. In your corner and genuinely wish you well. However, as soon as you run to them in times of distress, the entire office will know your business. They are a recipe for a chaotic working environment.

They Lack Empathy.

Bad managers often lack empathy. As a result, they make things unnecessarily difficult for everyone. They couldn’t care less if you are on your deathbed as long as you hand in the report on time.

If your manager is a workaholic, chances are, they expect you to be the same. They will demand that you be at their beck and call 27/7. Therefore, they can’t comprehend that you need Saturday off to see your child play soccer or attend your sister’s baby shower.

A boss who lacks empathy will not care if you are overworked. In fact, the more workload you have, the more productive you are perceived. They also hardly say no to additional tasks from their supervisors and expect you to handle the crazy workloads.

They Are Petty.

Petty people are small-minded, mean and pure right vindictive. Working for such people keeps you anxious and constantly living on the edge.

They keep grudges and hold you liable for the slightest inconvenience. They continuously start office gossip and pin team members against each other. Working for petty managers will have you regularly receiving warning letters and numerous threats of being fired.

When your boss is petty, it feels like you are constantly in a war zone. You have to rely on building defences and strategies to keep your job. It’s ridiculous!

Final Thoughts.

If your boss ticks most of the traits above, it’s undisputed that you are working for a bad boss. It may be time to rethink your job or position. Nobody deserves to work under a mean and toxic person. It can affect you physically and mentally. What you need is a nurturing supervisor. Work for people who mentor you and motivate you to be your best version. If you can’t resign just yet, here are strategies to cope with a bad boss. ❤️

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Happy reading!!