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What do you do when your boss is a jerk?

I’ve got a client of mine that never has anything nice to say about me, my work, my life - anything. Every time I hear from him, it’s about something I’ve done wrong. I like the work itself (or rather the place that I work for), but I don’t like him or the way I’m treated. I’ve confronted him about this before, but nothing has changed and I don’t see any change happening in the future.

The income I make from this client in particular is minute in comparison to most of my others. In short, it’s nice to have the money, but I don’t need it and can make it up elsewhere. Would quitting make me look like a coward? Would it just be better to get the headache over with? Have you ever experienced this? It’s pretty much the first time for me, and needless to say I’m frustrated.

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Answer #1

From my experience, the measure of a good boss is their ability to mix in compliments with the constructive criticism. Management 101, if you constantly criticise someone, without outlining what they do well, they never strive to do any better, because they never feel like they’ll do anything well enough for you.

Anyway, from the sounds of things, you need to talk to this boss about how you’re feeling- any boss/client should be open to the possibility of constructive feedback. If your boss/client can’t take this, it means you do not have a mutual respect for each other. In situations where respect is not mutual, abuse occurs. While it’s not essential for you to be best buddies with your boss/client, (in fact I discourage it), it is important that you can discuss things amicably and come to a solution you’re both satisfied with. If you can’t both do that, and don’t seem to be able to work on it, it’s best just to leave the situation. By staying, you only empower the client/boss to keep treating you unfavourably. Once a boss/client thinks thinks this is acceptable, they will continue to treat future employees/contractors like this.

I wouldn’t see quitting as a cowardly thing- it’s better than being miserable, and it might hammer home to your boss/client that it’s not okay to treat you, or anyone else they choose to employ in the future, so poorly!

Answer #2

I dont see how quitting would make you a coward (does it matter how you look to others?) It depends. If you’re close to getting done, perhaps you can point it out every time he does it. It’s possible it is simply a habit for him to complain. Also, it is completely out of bounds for him to criticize your life. If you’re not nearly done, perhaps you should quit now. I have had a critical supervisor. I wanted to switch supervisors early on, but people convinced me things would get better. They didnt. It got to a point where she was rude and harsh about my work and basically told me the recommendation letter she was going to write wouldnt be great (this was problematic as I am planning on going on for another degree). It was too late to quit. Sometimes if your gut tells you to bail, you should. I would have quit my program entirely if I hadnt had a previous supervisor who was great. It isnt worth it to deal with people like that.

Answer #3

Just a response to ty, my work is never a project basis…like there is no ‘’end’’. Me quitting now or a year from now would be no different, other than a grown attachment to this person, the job, etc.

Answer #4

Grrr, I need to grow some balls…not literally of course :) I’ve always seen quitting as a sign of failure for some reason, like I wasn’t strong enough to hack it out. It’s irrational, I know, but it’s that irrationality that continues to force me into servitude.

Answer #5

Well then find another job, then quit. There’s no point in dealing with crap for no good reason.

Answer #6

XD Go To http://funadvice.com/r/3k1ru840to And Look For (Type In The Search Box) The Game “Don’t Wack Your Boss” It’ll Explain Everything XD LOL