A bad boss is one of the worst things about having a job. Every time you head into work you don’t know what you might be in for, but you do know you’re likely to get criticised and put down just for getting your work done. That’s not a motivating situation to work in, and it’s certainly something to think about for your career’s future!
But while you’re stuck working under someone who doesn’t seem to understand the responsibility they hold, don’t let yourself be tricked into thinking there’s nothing you can do. You can always make things better at work, even in small ways, and sometimes that means speaking up and making your concerns known.
Talk to HR
Is there a HR department in your workplace? There’s no legal ruling around whether this is essential for businesses of certain sizes, but if you’re in a team of people and there’s no ‘relationship manager’ to reach out to, this is the first red flag to keep an eye on.
However, if there is a HR team in your workplace, make sure they’re your first port of call. If you’re not happy with the way your boss is acting or an action they’ve taken against you or your team recently, make it known.
Of course, it’s good to try and smooth over issues with the people involved as soon as they arise, but if you’ve tried to talk to your boss about the situation and they’re rebuffed you or simply ignored it outright, this is the next best step.
Research Your Legal Options Ahead of Time
A bad boss is usually a negligent one as well. Whether you’re a desk worker or you handle machinery on a construction site, many different workplace injuries can ruin your career and severely impact your livelihood for years to come.
Because of that, make sure you have personal injury and workers compensation attorneys on your side from the moment you feel unsafe at work. Then, if you have a case for compensation, you can immediately reach out to people in the know because you’ve got their number and availability already saved.
Make Friends with Your Coworkers
Making friends with those you work with ensures that you’re not alone at work. You’ll always have someone to talk to about work related issues, both on and off the clock, and that means you’ll share an understanding over the frustration you’re dealing with.
When you’re friends with the people that work around you, you can all take a complaint to your boss at the same time and back each other up as well! So strike up a conversation or two and get to know your coworkers – it’ll do you a lot of good in the end.
If you’ve got a bad boss, don’t sit down and take it! Talk about the issue, get in touch with HR, make friends with your coworkers, and if nothing is resolved, start looking for a new job ASAP.