Toxic Boss

LetsDiscuss · 25-07-2023, 10:15 AM

Hi All,

My boss has changed recently and started making my life hell.

All the actual task completed already but he keep on asking me to update the document on basis of irrelevant points and points which is out of scope of documents and threat me to fire me because of document only.

He seems like Racist person.

He also complain my Big Boss saying I am not performing well so he asked to send me "warning email".

He also complained another colleague who was working more than 5 years, no performance issue but suddenly after new boss join in just 1 month he started complain about his performance as well.

After getting "warning email", I can't sleep at nights and I am constant threat of fire.

I have applied jobs but not getting any calls (may be because of high salary of mine).

I requested my Big Boss to change my team because I don't want to work with him anymore but not sure how much it will successful (not seeing so much chance).

I don't know what to do ??

I just don't want to go to office anymore because so much stress.

Any suggestions are welcome.

D.YU · 25-07-2023, 10:50 AM

I feel your pain. I think many of us has gone through this one point or another.

First of all, its just a job. Dont let it impact your health via stress and sleep. Manage what you can control, which is yourself and your words. Speak to your big boss as soon as possible and get his feedback. Understand if this is your issue or sole your new direct reporting boss. If there are other opportunities within your organization, formally request mobility opportunity to shift over.

Worst case scenario, look for a new job. Youll probably find a better position, pay, environment. Stay positive.

LetsDiscuss · 25-07-2023, 11:22 AM

Thanks for your reply.

Sometime I think, as he always threat to fire me, I feel so angry and want to say something like if he try to fire me then I will also tell HR and complain to higher management about Racism and complain to police about RACISM as well.

May be he stop coming after me.

D.YU · 25-07-2023, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by LetsDiscuss:

Thanks for your reply.

Sometime I think, as he always threat to fire me, I feel so angry and want to say something like if he try to fire me then I will also tell HR and complain to higher management about Racism and complain to police about RACISM as well.

May be he stop coming after me.

That wont end well for anyone haha. Dont be rash. I completely understand your frustration and its quite common here in toxic office environment.

HR will not be on your side no matter the circumstances. They tend to side with the more senior staff. Its very political here and your best bet is to keep a good relationship with the big boss who has actual authority over your well being. Dont make any accusations on racism or discrimination unless you have really solid grounds. If you dont mind sharing, what is your race, boss's race, big bosses race, and is the company local or international?

LetsDiscuss · 25-07-2023, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by D.YU:

That wont end well for anyone haha. Dont be rash. I completely understand your frustration and its quite common here in toxic office environment.

HR will not be on your side no matter the circumstances. They tend to side with the more senior staff. Its very political here and your best bet is to keep a good relationship with the big boss who has actual authority over your well being. Dont make any accusations on racism or discrimination unless you have really solid grounds. If you dont mind sharing, what is your race, boss's race, big bosses race, and is the company local or international?

I am thinking to try to scare him somehow...like just told him in alone why you passing racial comments on me and hoping that he will be defensive and stop harassing me anymore.

For race, everyone is Chinese except me..

For Big Boss, I have tried to explain everything but don't know how much my boss filled his ear, they seems to be friends to each other.
Big Boss suggested me it's not easy to change team, he will discuss about after 15 days....15 days seems like 15 years as every day is stressful.

Confused USA · 25-07-2023, 11:58 AM

Honestly it seems like you are the problem and not your boss. Let's review.

1. You turn in documents which are reviewed by your boss who requests changes. Reviewing work completed by staff is a core function of any manager role. Nothing is out of the ordinary here.

2. He threatens to terminate your employment because of "documents only." Do you not realise that the work you produce is the reason you are there, and if you can't do it properly they need to find someone who can? Anyone who performs their job poorly is at risk of losing it.

3. If you've received a warning letter, that didn't come from your new boss alone. A meeting was held where your manager, their manager, and HR discussed your performance and all agreed that your work was not satisfactory, with evidence to back it up. Based on this it seems quite likely your performance has been poor for some time, but with your old boss being replaced no one was around to deal with it for a while.

4. Your response is that you are going to call HR and the POLICE!!! about your new boss. This sort of rash behaviour is a strong indicator you are difficult to work with and not able to fit well into a team.

5. What do you think will happen? The police will storm your office, drag your new boss into the street, and imprison them for life?? One count of "too many document revisions" and "seeming racist" hahahahaha.....

6. Going to HR (unless you have verifiable evidence of racism or misconduct) is completely useless and only justifies the fact they were right in sending you a warning letter.

All in all I would double down on performing well enough to maintain your job, at least long enough until you can find a new one.

bdw · 25-07-2023, 12:23 PM

I have a mate who's Indian and wasnt doing so well in the company, knew he was on thin ice. He said to me when he gets fired the first thing he'll say "Is it because I'm Indian?" for a bit of a laugh and see what happens. Management ended up shitting their pants and giving him an extra 3 months payout on top of what he would normally have expected

D.YU · 25-07-2023, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by bdw:

I have a mate who's Indian and wasnt doing so well in the company, knew he was on thin ice. He said to me when he gets fired the first thing he'll say "Is it because I'm Indian?" for a bit of a laugh and see what happens. Management ended up shitting their pants and giving him an extra 3 months payout on top of what he would normally have expected

Pulling the race card only works if the company is an International firm. Local companies or China backed enterprises will laugh at you and tell you to gtfo.