Feeling Stuck in a Toxic Work Environment: Should I Stay or Leave My Job?

Dear Seniors, I asked this question a few months back as well, but I still have doubts. Please answer a few of my queries, and I would be thankful to you all. I am working with one of India's most reputed brands in the auto industry. I joined exactly 6 months ago. My company has a distribution network, and I am in sales. Now, the queries are as follows:

Concerns About Management Practices

My boss is always rude and uses inappropriate language. He wants me to change the orders of the dealers and bill them for something they never asked for. Later, if any problems arise, he refuses and says that the sales officer did it.

Educational Background and Workplace Dynamics

Every now and then, he asks me where I did my MBA. I did it from Pune University, and he did it through distance learning.

Stock and Sales Challenges

The stock in demand is never provided, and I am forced to sell items that are not in demand or that the dealers already have in abundance.

Work Hours and Compensation Issues

I am made to work on Sundays and national holidays without any compensatory time off. The office timings are from 9:30 to 5:30. I am made to work late, which is not a problem, but I am told that the office leaving time should be entered as 5:30 even if I leave at 9.

So, my basic question is: should I leave the organization since people working here have not received a grade promotion for the past 3 years?

Any advice from the seniors would be greatly appreciated.

It is not only your problem, but many employees, especially in Sales, face the same situation. It is rightly said that 80% of employees quit their jobs because of their bosses. My simple advice would be: don't do anything that you are not happy doing. If possible, have a one-on-one with your boss; ask him about the problem. Alternatively, a better solution would be to email your HR about your condition. Normally, any complaints against employees are kept confidential. So why not give it a try? Why should you work hard and have somebody else take the credit?

Thank you for the feedback, Ms. Monica. It has been observed that if someone raises a complaint outside the hierarchy, life becomes challenging for them. Currently, my mindset is inclined towards staying here as I do not wish to switch jobs. I am a recent MBA graduate with only six months of work experience, and I fear it might have a negative impact on my future if I leave too soon. Despite this, I am not content here. In the past six months, I haven't taken a single day off, even though the company policy allows for 40 days of leave per year. I am unsure about what steps to take next.

Full sympathy with you! However, I believe at some point you're equally responsible for the same. This is a corporate world where relations, honesty, hard work, respect, etc., are considered as demerits.

Escalating your boss's issue with HR is nothing else but a suicidal attempt! That will make your work and workplace hell! Believe me!

This behavior normally happens when the subordinate is more capable than the boss. The boss develops a high level of insecurity and starts plotting games against you. At the same time, you also can't afford to be a rebel as well. Since you seem to be an MBA professional from a reputed institute and he is from a distance learning background, this is bound to happen.

Ironically, such instances take place under big brand names.

Advice on Handling Misconduct

BUT YES, DO NOT involve yourself in any kind of misdeed whatsoever instructed by such "a**holes" because that's another way of showing you an exit path.

Try looking for a better option. I know such morons exist everywhere, but at least you'll find a better one than before/existing. Your body language also plays a vital role in such situations. Never let anyone feel/pretend that you got immensely hurt with the boss's rude/sarcastic statement or behavior because if you do so, you are boosting his morale to do it again with you. NEVER LET ANYBODY KNOW YOUR WEAKNESS, a big thumb rule of corporate.

Final Advice

YOU WILL BE IN SHIT ONLY IF YOU TAKE IT!! The choice is yours!!

Apologies for harsh words, but that's the truth.

Happy working!!

Regards, Danny

I understand your position. I think you are reeling under pressure selling, which was in vogue in some corporate companies. I don't take sides, but why don't you think like your boss for some time? For example, if you have stocks that have no demand, what is the company supposed to do? Is it not money to the company? If you get stocks of what is demanded, would you like to sell a product that has no demand or is lying as dead stock? In fact, many managers will tell salespeople to sell unsaleable items as saleable items can be sold without much effort. Under pressure selling, this is common. Please look into this logic.

Secondly, I have never heard of timings for salesmen. In fact, salespeople with a dealer network in FMCG or consumer durables, or even pharma guys, also start working after 5 pm.

Okay, using abusive language or hurting and insulting language is one's own attitude, which will not work positively.

But let me tell you, this kind of selling is conceptually traditional management. In modern management, managers have planning and strategies as effective weapons and see that these situations do not arise.

Anyway, don't take hasty steps and leave the company before something is there in your hands. Good luck.

Regards.

I agree with you, sir, but the issue is that the material is being dumped. Once this is done, the manufacturing code becomes old. Consequently, the dealers do not receive replacements. This has been a trend for some time now, not just a recent occurrence. It is concerning, especially given that it is a reputed company. The dealers tend to already have stock of a specific model, leading them to refrain from placing orders for more of the same type. Additionally, we usually follow a practice where we hold blank checks from the dealers. However, during the closing process, they are billed for items they may never be able to sell. Are you suggesting that I should adopt my boss's mindset, providing them with products that are not necessary, only to visit them the next day and request a new order?

I have seen many times the same situation going on. Trust me, just send an email to the HR Manager. Ask him or her not to disclose your name. Being an HR professional, I can assure you that he or she will never reveal your identity. There must be other team members with you, right? For God's sake, go ahead. Don't tolerate all this. This will encourage your boss to do the same with many others.