Navigating Challenges with a Difficult Boss in HR Management

Dear fellow HR professionals, I need your help. This morning, I arrived at work using the second staff bus. To clarify, I work outside of town, and we are provided with two staff buses to ferry us to and from town to work every day. Both buses depart early in the morning at 7:30 and arrive at work by 8:00. However, the second bus starts 2km behind the 1st bus, and they use the same route, so it slightly arrives later than the 1st bus, maybe 5-10 minutes late.

My challenge is that the bus I use to get into town drops me off at the second bus loading bay. My boss is demanding that I use the first bus, which means I have to walk two kilometers every day to catch the 1st bus, leaving the nearby bus that all other employees use. She threatens to write me a warning letter because I already have a verbal warning. She makes life in our department difficult in many aspects. What can I do?

I appreciate your advice.
SC

Dear Friend,

First of all, switch over to the first bus so that your HOD's ego is satisfied. Then, slowly, as an HR person, you should ask the driver of the second bus to be on time because the company's valuable time is getting wasted every day by 5 to 10 minutes. Pose this in the interest of the company and ensure that the second bus reaches at least a minute earlier than the 1st bus. Then, slowly switch over to the second bus.

I agree that for some days, you may have to face troubles, but there is no other way because the boss is particular. From your boss's point of view, it is also correct that HR should not be late. By following the above steps, both your and your boss's purposes are served.

Regards,
Kamesh

Dear Kamesh,

Thanks for the advice; I will try. My problem was that she always wants to make our lives difficult. You are right when you said the second bus time needs to be adjusted, its departure time, but in our organization, it's only her who can make that suggestion, and she is reluctant. Otherwise, it turns sour. Since I joined the organization, I have learned that every offense is dismissible; many employees have fallen victim.

She is swift in suspending employees. Fortunately, I deal with Training, not IR, and she expects to control employees in her department like machines. Whenever she sends, especially me, to an assignment, and I am about to achieve, she withdraws me and assigns someone else. She asks you to represent her in some meetings, and the moment you begin to gain recognition, she withdraws you and sends someone else. Okay, the bottom line is it's difficult to taste success.

She wants us to put her signature on everything, to an extent that she even wrote me an email after I had responded to an outsider, copying her, that every time when I respond to an outsider, I need to put her signature on my email. Hahahaha, this is too much. If she notices you talking to an executive, you are in serious trouble, and she exaggerates issues from executive meetings. Small issues are magnified; for example, having a personal visitor without her consent is now a dismissible offense. It's now getting on my nerves, guys. Help me manage; I do not want to quit because of someone. Help me manage the situation.

Greetings,

A demanding boss is a chapter we all read as we work our way through our career. Few may try to solve and figure out an innovative solution. Most of us kept it low and survived a toxic situation. Here's what I would suggest to you:

- Accept it's a bad situation and observe yourself feeling low. There is no other way to change a boss unless you get a new job. So now let's get prepared for it.

- In everyday situations, choose some routine tasks for yourself at work that will make you feel good. Choose a few tasks in the office that can help you recharge your batteries.

- No matter what she says or does, keep your focus on the data-oriented feedback and cut the emotional part away.

- Stay focused on your growth through these feedbacks and your personal goals.

- Reward yourself each time you spot your learning and your growth. A small yet continuous reward system will keep you motivated.

- Now turn your focus towards her positives. Force yourself to acknowledge the good part of her, such as the way she presents and convinces everyone with her words, her rapport with the seniors, and so on. Challenge yourself to learn them; if not as good as she is, at least make an effort.

- Remain supportive towards her. The fact that she is authoritarian says a lot about the low buy-ins on her decision about her employees. I am not asking you to go blind on your employees, but see her point of view and acknowledge that.

- In a long-term view, visualize yourself as an HR leader and check what all you can learn from her now to become that successful leader tomorrow.

- Every human being has a limit to a toxic environment. Set yours and decide how long you would want to work for her or this organization. An end date, no matter how hypothetical it is, will bring you a plan to work for. This should keep you focused.

At the end of the day, you cannot control her. So get your fundamentals strong and move ahead with strength.

Dear (Cite Contribution),

Wow, what a powerful piece of advice! It has just rejuvenated me; I feel refreshed. Thank you very much. I am so encouraged by your words; you managed to tap right into my situation with good advice. I will definitely try, to the best of my abilities.

Have a beautiful day.

SC