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I'm in need of some advice.  I would like to provide some feedback to my manager about some of his behavior towards his directs (including me).  He has been belligerent and condescending; he has sworn at employees--dropping the f-bomb a few times as well as many other indecent words, rolled his eyes when directs were speaking, called me unethical (which I am not), and on one recent occasion barged into the office, shouted "sit, stay", then left.  A couple of minutes later he returned and said, "ok, resume normal work" and then left.

I would like to say something like, "Bob [not his real name], when you act belligerently and condescendingly towards me and the other directs you make us feel less than human.  For instance, the other day when you barged into the office and said, 'sit, stay' and then left you made me feel like your family dog."

However, he has not asked for feedback and I do not believe he would take it well.  However, his behavior is driving down morale.  A couple of employees are actively seeking employment elsewhere within the company as a result.

Should I skip talking to my manager and go to his boss?  Or, should I seek out a third party whom we both respect but is not close to the situation?

BLSandy's picture

No employee should be subject to profanity, which can be considered harassment.  I suggest talking to your HR advisor about your manager's behavior.  There should be some anit-harassment policy in place

lindge's picture
Training Badge

There are some casts in  Career Tools about dealing with a 'bad boss' - you might want to check these out. 

Be careful with how you deal with this situation - worthwhile if it's not up to date, getting your resume in place.  Also, keep your level of performance up, (keep delivering...)

In my experience be careful about approaching HR on this sort of subject - it's amazing what gets back to people even when it's meant to be confidential (and remember your manager that has a huge say in compensation levels, promotion etc.)

Also going to your manager's manager is risky - they may tell your manager, and this could cause you to be on the receiving end of your manager's anger. 

Seems to me there are limited choices - stay reporting into your current manager and keep delivering, or seek out other opportunities (whether elsewhere in the company, or external)...

eschenk's picture

@Lindge,

yeah, I have considered both of those options: 1) stay where I am at and be as useful as possible and 2) look elsewhere within the company.  Actually, I am working both options.  I approached my manager and asked if there was work I could take off his plate (I am currently winding down one project and so I have some "freer" time).  I have also applied for a couple of other positions within the company.

I agree about HR--have to say I have never fully trusted anyone in that department.  We do have an Ethics office I could check-out but that is a pretty radical step.  By going to them they are required to open an investigation.  The Ethics office is the nuclear option when there are no others.

Also, my first post did sound kind of squirrelly in that providing feedback to a manager may not be appropriate unless requested.  As I look back at my statement it sounds kind of top-down as if my manager were working for me.

However, I am at a loss as to what to do.  Morale is tanking and he doesn't seem to see it . . . or if he does he has chosen to ignore it.