Navigating Professional Boundaries: Strategies for Dealing with a Flirty Boss

Hi all,

I am new to the working atmosphere as this is my first job, but gradually I have encountered a problem with the behavior of my boss. Can you please help me to deal with this situation?

Regards,
Emiley

Greetings,

My words may sound beaten, but this is exactly how it is. We don't choose who will feel what for us; we can only choose how we want to feel for them. Having said that, please keep one thing in mind: there are people around you who are observing you. So remain strong, and they will respect you for who you are.

Your boss may perennially enjoy attention. Your choices shrink when you are a direct reportee. Keep the communication strictly professional but polite. Aim to gain trust, not attention. Straightforwardness takes time to be established but forms the strongest base. At the end of the day, he too is a human being; hence, remain humanly assertive. God bless you.

Regards,
(Cite Contribution)

Dear Emily,

Welcome to the MYSTERIOUS PROFESSIONAL LIFE. I love studying HUMAN BEHAVIOR. Would you mind sharing your experiences with your BOSS that made you post your query seeking a relevant solution? Let me explain about HUMAN'S PERCEPTION STRATEGY - it's all about things in our LIFE:

1) The way we SEE THINGS
2) The way we THINK about THINGS
3) The way we FEEL about THINGS

Please place your BOSS in "THINGS" and compare his/her behavior with "YOURS." I am sure you will find pretty good information to study. Moreover, this is your FIRST JOB, and you are bound to encounter BEHAVIORS which you haven't come across in your PERSONAL LIFE since you have just embarked on PROFESSIONAL LIFE.

Please share your experiences with us. Probably, it will help us guide you in the RIGHT DIRECTION rather than concluding without having SUFFICIENT GENUINE INFORMATION. Please be honest with yourself while posting your experiences.

With profound regards

1. Move close to your boss's boss if you like him or her.

Or

2. Befriend your boss's wife, daughter, or girlfriend.

Dear Emiley,

Good Morning!

Just ignore his useless talk and gestures and concentrate on your work. He'll automatically be put in his place. If you express your reaction, he will engage in more flirting with you. Handle this situation tactfully with diplomacy.

Thanks and Regards,
Abhay Raj
National Head-HR and Legal

Dear MUNAGADA,

How do you categorize these buttering up skills in INTERPERSONAL SKILLS? Whatever you had suggested, will you consider this as PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION? Do you have any idea about the RISK FACTORS associated with your statements? I wish to inform you that PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION is missing your suggestions.

With profound regards

Hi Emiley,

I agree with Ms. (Cite Contribution); you can't avoid this kind of behavior, but you can manage it with your professional and respectful behavior at work. The first thing I would suggest is to ignore him and his behavior for some time and focus on your work sincerely, as Ms. (Cite Contribution) mentioned. If you are a direct reportee, you need to maintain strictly professional communication with him but remain polite.

I also recommend that you do not share this with many people in your team, department, or company until you trust someone, whether a friend or colleague. You need to handle this situation wisely.

Dear Emily,

Please provide more details about the scenario: your nature of work, reporting structure, etc. Kindly also refer to [How to Deal With a Flirty Boss](http://www.ehow.com/how_10005824_deal-flirty-boss.html).

Have a nice day.

Simhan
Learning and Teaching Fellow (Retd)
The University of Bolton, UK
Chief Advisor, Promentor-consulting

Hi,

First, change your behavior. Don't smile without any reason at someone. Mind your own business. There is no need to engage in meaningless talks and don't just listen to whatever anyone is saying. Use your brain and reply calmly. Don't let fear occupy your mind. We are living in a free country, and you have rights. Be bold.

Regards,
Prakash

Dear,

As you are in HR, the major concern is not with what others would think; the concern should be how to mold the situation. Learn people management. Yes, as you mentioned, it's your first job, and it's difficult at this stage, but you can make it by interacting with people who are close to the superior.

If you feel that the concern has hurt you, try to interact. There are two kinds of people in that situation: those who would make a hype of the situation and use it and others who would stay calm, taking the bitter experience. Try to be smart and make the situation within your control.

We humans have forgotten that all these behavioral traits are built by us humans again, so try to get some ideas or solutions to suppress such situations. Yes, as the saying goes, it's easy but handling the situation is difficult, yet it's not impossible.

All the best and make use of your smartness to get out of the situation.

Sandeep Korde