Frustration about boss leads to less motivation

staff

Dear Kristin,

I have been working at this great job for a very long time now. I have heard many rumors about my boss, but I obviously didn’t listen to them because I want to form my own opinions. However, I am starting to realize a lot of things that are said about my boss are true. I am finding it more and more difficult to work with my boss. He treats me like I am a seventh grader, he singles me out on a lot of projects to point out what I did wrong to “use me as an example.” Normally I would just live with it and ignore everything that was being said. But I’m afraid that by my boss treating me like this is diminishing my work ethic. I no longer want to do a good job, let alone care about how good the quality of work I produce is. I find myself coming in to work late, taking a little longer break for lunch, and just all around not caring about what my boss would say. I’d quit but I really need this job, do I talk to my boss or just let things go?

~One Paycheck Closer to Homelessness

Dear Closer to Homelessness,

The average person will have just an ordinary job at some point in life. They are jobs that are taken just to survive, rather than being dream jobs. Keeping that in mind, you need to understand that in a job there is always give and take. Take a look at your job responsibilities and see if you are living up to your boss’s expectations. If you are not, you are at fault. If, however, your work is quality, and at the level of your co-workers’, then your boss may simply be picking on you.

If you think that your boss is just plain out to get you, talk to his supervisor and let him know what is going on. It’s important to have specific, documented cases of the problems you are having with your boss when you have this discussion. Avoid generalities like “never” and “always” and instead focus on individual instances.

If nothing comes of that, tell your boss directly that you don’t feel you are being treated right at work, and tell him you are thinking of quitting. If he has no objections, your leaving may be the best solution.

What might end up happening is the boss doesn’t even know he is doing it to you, and he will be suprised when you bring it up. In the mean time, try to keep a positive attitude at work by focusing on the compliments your boss gives you or by remembering what you are learning through the experience.

If you have a question for Edward or Kristin send it to [email protected].

#1.884635:3004614607.jpg:kristinmug.jpg:Kristin Marthaler, Columnist: