Feeling Trapped by an Abusive Boss: Can I Quit My HR Manager Job Immediately?

I want to quit my job immediately from the position of HR Manager. My boss is inhuman; he expects all employees to work for more than 12 hours and attributes this requirement to HR Management. Can I resign from my job right away? As an HR Manager, I am supposed to consider the welfare of all employees, but he dismisses this by saying, "Let them die. Do as I say only." Moreover, he consistently uses abusive language with all employees.

Please let us know what you would have advised as an HR Manager if a worker had asked a question about whether he or she should resign from a similar situation. Also, kindly tell us if you would need more information to give concrete advice.

How long have you been working for this particular boss?

Working hours are regulated by various laws, so no 12-hour directive can easily be passed. Abusive language is a sad aspect of your working life. How many workers/employees have complained?

What type of organization is yours - factory, LLP, or company, etc.? Do not react emotionally but take action/decisions calmly.

Dear colleague, your boss does not seem to know that in India there are laws which regulate working hours, and his demanding employees to work every day for 12 or more hours is downright illegal. The worst part is, though it is his thinking, yet telling them that it is his HR order only suggests deep psychic problems he has. Bring to his attention the legal provisions relating to normal working hours, double payment for OT hours, spread over, etc. If he still insists, then get a notice signed by him for such working hours, which he will hesitate and want you to sign. If required, escalate the matter to higher levels, but you refuse to sign this notice. Most likely, he will mend his ways. Don't leave the organization before teaching a lesson to such a loony character as no sane boss will make such a coercive demand.

Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR Consultant

Considering Quitting Your Job

It is a good decision to consider quitting your job immediately when things are not good. Such situations are best left instantly to find mental solace.

Assessing the Situation

If you are considering the idea of quitting, did the employees raise any alarm against working for 12 hours? If not, then you may not be the right person to raise the matter on behalf of the workers. Your role should be that of a communicator to the management based on complaints received from the employees.

Personal Experience and Action

Are you also working for 12 hours? If so, what have you done about the extra hours of work without proper payment as stipulated by statute?

Understanding the Management Structure

Is your boss the proprietor of the firm or working for someone else? You likely know the answer, and this will help clarify your doubts. This kind of situation is prevalent everywhere—how many jobs will you take up and then leave?

Making a Difference as an HR Professional

As an HR professional, you can make a difference against the odds if you have the desire. If any employee approaches you with a complaint regarding working hours, you can handle the situation by explaining that while it is a decision of the management, you will still escalate the matter. You can also inform them that they have the option to seek assistance from the labor department if they believe something unfair is happening.

Dear Muslyri, as suggested by seniors, there may be disturbances anywhere, and specifically, bosses would like to get more output for less cost. Please clarify if the boss is behaving continuously with all other managers or just with you in this manner, as you are considering leaving the job for that reason. Leaving the job is a decision you need to make after weighing the pros and cons of your current and future job.

If employees have been accepting his/management's request for working more than 12 hours, they might be doing it for money. It would be better if you allow the workers to address the issue, as it is up to them to react, and your reaction could be detrimental, especially if your boss has already turned others against you.