Dealing With a Bully Boss

@Shawn so sorry that you feel that you are being singled out. Personally I think that assessing "points" is a terrible way to manage anyone but that's just me. I feel that your work ethic along with the willingness to play nice in the sandbox is what should count for points! It is unfortunate when there is no one to turn to for help. Maybe you are just going to have to request a meeting with your PM and explain, without any hysterics or finger pointing, how you feel. Ask what you can do to recover from those three lost points. In the meantime, I would be job searching like crazy! And remember, when you get an interview, NEVER badmouth your company or your PM! Not all companies are like that. And shame on the owner of that company for allowing such an archaic and unfair practice to take place under his nose and for allowing his HR to be a bully! Best of luck.

I am currently in a situation where I am literally being "singled out ". We have a point system at work. The Production manager chooses to give points at his discretion. I received 3 points for my Uncle's passing. I got a call from my mother that day at work. I explained to him I would need to be there for my family (he was only 55 years old). His reaction was "I'm going to have to assess points. One month later, a co employees girlfriend's father sadly also passed away. Not only did he not receive any points, but the same PM was pushing HR to pay him for the time he missed! This is only one example of many. Our HR department is outsourced. The "HR" at the company is a woman who curses at you in front of anyone, including the owner. Nothing is said to her. I am not in a financial position to just quit. I would appreciate any advice or help concerning this matter. Thank you all and good luck if you are in a similar situation.

@Johnathan and still the bully bosses remain in the corporations. Companies figure that if you can't handle the heat, they have 1000 other applicants for the same position so you can leave and they will hire someone else. Some of these companies think that they own us because they are giving us a paycheck. The only way that things are going to change is if we start making the changes ourselves. It may be hard but not impossible. What would happen if you were to stand up to the bully boss?

The corporations hire many people, many of whom are obvious examples of the Peter Principle. Longevity in a job (seen by the corporation as dependability) too frequently gives that person a promotion.

Corporations (most of them are run by greedy jackasses) do not want to spend even 1/10 of a cent on training (that would adversely effect the two billion dollars bank account) so the untrained person now is the supervisor of people.

But, he does not have any idea on how to deal with people and behaves in such a way that the supervised make a choice - to continue being degraded and insulted or to leave. Despite the destructive-to-America practices of the corporations, moving jobs out of America for one cent of profit, the supervised leaves. Hence, the corporations are continuously advertising for help.

It doesn't take a rocket science degree to analyze the situation and attract higher caliber employees with such features as decent pay, further training opportunities and a code of behavior that encourages employees rather than turning them off by insulting them. But the world has never suffered from a shortage of stupid people hence stupid personnel policies.

I regularly hear about incompetent supervisors who regularly lose employees because the supervisor just doesn't have enough intelligence, training and experience to effectively supervise others.

Well, those who are profit motivated (corporations) have blinded themselves as to what logic, kindness, courtesy, justice, intelligent behavior, dignity, truth, honor mean. Hence a "trickle-down" effect on all people connected to the corporation. They are insulted on a daily basis with rotten pay and incompetent insulting supervisors and, because of rapid personnel turnover, erratic working schedules.

I’m pleased to observe that, of all the corporations infecting the city where I live, one, only one, Costco, because of its intelligent human treatment of employees, has a very low turnover rate.

Wouldn’t it be nice if WAL-MART owners could behave like humans instead of complete bumbling fools. Then the employees would not hold mass strikes, walkouts, and suffer rampant dissatisfaction. But, profit motive, not only is a violation of the First Commandment but has its own built in punishment – deprivation of knowledge and understanding.

People in general are greedy,selfish and short sighted. These are satan's people.and it is the very reason this sorry-ass government bailed out the banks and Wall Street. In other words, yes, the system is failing!

Bully Bosses, you think, and what's even worse is the fact that there words no matter what they decide to say have to be disputed until disputed disputable.

@Joan, unfortunately you would more than likely either have to put up with it or leave. Personally I would be looking for a new job.

and if that bullying boss is the Director of HR, what can you do, other than leave?

Thanks for that @Michael. I have been in your shoes myself and you are right - the best thing is to get away from this person. After so many people do this, someone is going to sit up and take notice. I am curious though if you told HR the real reason why you were leaving the company? Good luck on your next position.

The best thing is to look for something else where you can find joy in your work again. Believe it or not, some companies respect and value their employees. Some even want to see you bloom and grow! Imagine that! The bully boss does not go away. The BEST thing I ever did was to get out of my last job. Although I have the stress of unemployment right now, my prospects look good, and I do not have to go in to that hell hole anymore.

Management that approves of Bully bosses are like any other management model. They are looking for employees that can survive in the model. They will find the knuckles-under fold to the pressure employee and keep them. If that's not you, move on.

Bully bosses abound, especially in addition to the "normal American bully culture" that starts and is very evident in high schools. HR is not the best. I know from experience. Best advice, just endure till you find another job and move on. Also, save up enough time, so you have enough time off to cover your last week or two week notice so you don't have to deal with the person because in some cases they heighten their craziness when they know you're leaving...

@Harold - thanks for your comment. So very true and I am sure that many of us have experienced the same thing. I know I have and I did the same thing - moved on to a better position. Sooner or later those in power will realize that something is not right and will find out about the bully and make changes.

Usually a bully boss like the one I have recently thinks they have to intimidate this is workers. Motivation by fear is never long lived. This boss will never progress because good people will not stay long. I left after 9 months.

It really is sad when you have to deal not only with an increasing workload but with a bully boss, too. @Mary Jean glad to see that you are being positive and glad that you are away from someone like him. We wish you all the best on your next adventure. @Kay, glad that you brought it to HR's attention about your Boss. Hopefully they will investigate and either put him on notice or let him go. Maybe some of the other bullied employees will come forward also. Wish I knew why there are so many bosses who think that they have to be bullies to their workforce - or to anyone for that matter. Wishing you the best on your next adventure, also.

Why are there such creepy bosses?

Awesome article and perfect timing. I have been on the job search for over a year and talked to HR today so I will have to wait and see what happens. He has offended a few other employees as well like your article stated.

Just quit a job due to a Boss who not only was a bully but everything was about him. Did not matter what you asked in regards to assistance, he let you know that he knew everything and you were dumb. Bye, Bye A-Hole!