Strategies for Managing Workplace Stress and Dealing with Difficult Bosses

Navigating Workplace Challenges in a Manufacturing Company

I am working in a manufacturing company, and the work culture is mostly the same as other Indian manufacturing companies. I really want to work, seriously work, but I always fall prey to politics and am not strong or smart enough to face these things. So many times, I get fooled.

Dealing with a Difficult Boss

My boss is challenging to deal with. He is not professional; sometimes he helps, but other times he behaves very unprofessionally and irrationally. He is the main person from the HR department. He has some problems with me as he gave me a job reference when I needed a job. I don't know him personally. I don't know much about core HR things except recruitment. Here, I work for recruitment and activities like making service certificates, etc., and getting them signed by him. He mostly tells me to work like a clerk does. I don't feel bad for working, but the way I am asked to work is hurtful.

Consultancy Hiring Issues

Our company doesn't pay for hiring through consultancies. I only ask those consultants who used to provide candidates earlier. But one day, my boss scolded me and said, "Why do I hire through these consultants? Do they pay me for that?" I was hurt that day because I never worked like this before. In my previous company, I used to hire candidates from a few consultants who took money from candidates, but I never took money from them. I seek help from consultants only when I am unable to find candidates. This situation was disturbing to me. After a few days, I came to know through that consultant that my boss had given him requirements. I didn't understand how to react to this. I asked my boss if we were hiring from this consultant. At first, he denied it, but the next day, he said we would check how this consultant works, so I gave him the requirement.

Behavioral Concerns and Work Pressure

There are other things in his behavior that are disturbing. I don't understand what type of person he is. He always keeps an eye on me, like with whom I speak in the office and other personal things. He made some differences in my offered salary too.

Sometimes I think of leaving the job, but I want to work and gain experience in core HR. What should I do? I really feel so disturbed by this. Also, there is tremendous work pressure here. I don't have time to complete my commitments. He has given me lots of work, many requirements to work on, and daily tasks like clerical things. He can't speak English properly and always taunts me that English-speaking people don't know anything. Last month, he selected one girl, but our consultant and one senior person rejected her. Since that day, my boss has been targeting me, saying it was my fault that she got rejected. He used to say she was smarter than me, had more knowledge, and was very active, etc. I took all these things lightly. But now he is saying that I have to do things alone and won't get any helping hand, while previously two persons handled my profile.

Hmm...

Best regards

Nice case study. The issue is not very serious. One just needs to handle it patiently. Let's start from the beginning.

Politics in the Workplace

Politics is a part of the working environment; you can't run from it. What you can do is learn from your past and avoid repeating it. Don't interfere too much in others' issues. Play your responsibilities clearly and precisely. Your dedication should be entirely towards your work, and it seems that you'll have a good career in the future. Just be patient in every situation.

Understanding Your Boss

Firstly, understand who your boss is. The boss is the one who can scold you at any time if you are not working systematically. That's the nature of a boss, sometimes a friend and the next minute reminding you that he is still your senior. You should learn from HR persons; they are very smart. You are working there as a recruitment executive and also handling clerical tasks, which is nice. You are learning from the beginning, so never hesitate. If you do ten things the right way and one thing the wrong way, you'll receive criticism for all ten. The boss does that, so always try to digest things. Don't say no directly, but instead, say, "Yes, sir, I agree with your point, but we also have other options to consider in this situation." Try not to say no directly. If he scolds you, it means he wants you to do things his way. Listen to him properly and implement everything according to him. Now, here is the point you need to address.

Document Everything

Put everything in writing from now on. No verbal communication with the boss or any peer; if it is official, mention it in an email and keep a record of everything. Send it to the boss and CC any other senior authority or relevant peers. Everything should be documented. The issue with talking to consultants and lining up candidates through sources is not harmful, but the problem is not following the proper system. First, inform your reporting person about the market findings and how it will not incur charges. Also, mention that we will get good candidates through their specialized sources. If there was written communication, this issue would have been avoided. What your boss did was within his role; he can hire or make deals with anyone.

A boss always keeps an eye on employees. If you are not in the wrong, you have nothing to worry about. Supervision is his job, and he will do that.

Don't feel bad, as you mentioned the work pressure is high. Just focus on your work, learn as much as you can, and handle the pressure. Give time to every situation, be patient at every step, and think positively. Once you start being positive, it will reflect in your interactions, and your boss may calm down and change his attitude towards you. Keep official discussions in written emails, try to agree with your boss initially, and then provide advice later. Appreciate his knowledge as well. I hope this will change your situation.

Dealing with Difficult Bosses

What you have recounted, no doubt, is very stressful; but something that almost every working person has encountered in their career. It is difficult to make people, especially bosses, like you. Furthermore, it is almost impossible to bring about the desired changes in a boss.

Very rarely, in one's whole career, does one come across one or two bosses who are near perfect or even good. So the best thing is to accept this fact as a part of one's working life!

In fact, I would say that your boss is much better than the one that I had during my early days. He not only kept an eye on me during the day but would also inquire about the details of what I talked about with anyone. He would end these "inquiry" sessions with a suggestion or rather a remark, "don't entertain such people," or "WHY do you entertain such people," as if it is MY FAULT if someone is coming over to talk with me. This is not the worst he would do but rather the most harmless of his activities. You can imagine the kind of work-life I was having in those days!

But things change; assignments change; bosses change; and even the companies change... and things like that.

So have confidence and faith in yourself. Don't focus on such extraneous irritants. Keep LEARNING. After some time in the future, you'll be happy to realize how much you have GROWN by just learning to overcome such barriers.

Warm regards.

Navigating Workplace Challenges: A Perspective

Oh God, why me? You seem to be in that situation. Get out of it.

Mili has suggested changing the job. She may be right, but my question is, how many times? Do you think running away from a problem will solve it, or what is the guarantee that you will get peace of mind after that? Tell me, how many places are free of politics or bossism?

When in Rome, behave like a Roman, or as they say in Hindi, "Ganga kinaarey Ganga Ram, Jamuna kinaarey Jamuna Lal." If you do not develop this attitude, it will be difficult for you to survive in a profession anywhere.

The idea is how you perceive something. You mentioned your boss behaves very friendly at times, but I know people whose bosses are never friendly and are always frowning at something or the other. Enjoy and carry this friendly conversation with you rather than the negative aspect. Moreover, as you have mentioned that you do not entertain the idea of changing the job because you want to learn and gain experience in Core HR. Is that not a great enough idea to do every job, even if it is clerical, to gain more? What is more positive is that you are getting paid for learning. Well, don't we rather pay to learn most of the time? There are hundreds of positives if you want to perceive them; otherwise, one negative is enough to kill your career.

Understanding Stress: Eustress vs. Distress

Stress is an important aspect of growth. People who convert it into eustress (positive stress) perform, and people who become prey to distress (negative stress) perish.

Take your own call on where you want to see yourself a few years later. If you find your answer is "successful," then stop looking around, concentrate only on your target, and achieve it. You will later realize that it was just a passing phase.

Stay clear; say cheers to life and success. All the best.

Regards,
Dr. Vikas