Hello everybody,
I recently got a promotion, and although my subordinates abide by the rules, I often find my boss getting into the details of what I do. Whenever I try to confront him, he sidesteps the issue or he tells me not to make a big deal out of petty things. I really love my boss and admire him because he is very kind, refined, and respectful. He also built the company from the ground up all by himself (which might explain why he feels he needs to be so detail-oriented), but his micro-managing is beginning to affect how I work. The main reason I feel depressed is because I feel I could do a great job (being the perfectionist that I am) if I had the chance to do my work without him intervening so much. So, how should I deal with my micro-managing boss without antagonizing/upsetting him?
posted by omar.a
on May 1, 2013 -
8 answers
A coworker told me that our boss is sleeping with another coworker, his subordinate, our peer. This is the latest development in a dysfunctional workplace. I would like to quit on ethical grounds without implicating the friend that told me. Help, please.
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posted by sabatourist
on Apr 30, 2013 -
42 answers
For miscellaneous reasons I no longer wish to go. How do I tell my boss? Do I tell?
I am more than happy to continue my professional development (as such)... just less intensively and more cheaply! In fact, I'd happily work through a Diploma (we're in Australia) either in a very related topic (ethics, politics, legal) or the original field.
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posted by jrobin276
on Apr 19, 2013 -
6 answers
I recently gave my two week's notice at work. It seemed to go well, but now my boss seems to be turning it into a negative thing by freaking out and being dramatic. Please help me navigate my last few days here.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 5, 2013 -
18 answers
The question: Should I provide a lukewarm reference for my recently fired ex-manager to avoid awkwardness? Or should I tell him no, and if so, what is the code language to use? I can't say "Sorry, that won't be possible" for reasons outlined herein.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 5, 2013 -
40 answers
I recently began my first job six months ago at a creative agency. Now, I'm unsure if I should continue.
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 6, 2013 -
11 answers
I'm asking this question because I can't really verbalize it as well as I'd like to since I'm trying to look at it from all perspectives.
I've been under the management or oversight for a couple of total assholes this past year and a half. The first was the director of the graduate program I am on leave from, and the second is my current boss, a cafe owner.
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 16, 2013 -
31 answers
My boss treats me like garbage. My coworkers encouraged me to set up a meeting with her to discuss how we can have a better relationship. Our meeting is tomorrow and I'm regretting scheduling this talk. How can I go through with it and get the best results without humiliating myself?
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 19, 2012 -
23 answers
So I'm on a performance plan at work due to dishonesty. Please help me turn this around.
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 14, 2012 -
53 answers
Despite my otherwise agreeable work environment, I have a boss who's increasingly scolding me for following standard procedures and doing my job as normal.
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 28, 2012 -
9 answers
When I first started my current job as a graduate researcher at a nominally Catholic university as an American in Belgium, my boss played a quick prank on me where he came into my office, plopped down a copy of the New Testament in Flemish, and told me I needed to study up to pass some kind of religious test. The way he did it, it was pretty funny and I’m looking for ways to prank him back.
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posted by Blasdelb
on Nov 28, 2012 -
7 answers
My boss is a nitpicking control freak with a temper. Help me make it through the next couple of months without losing my mind.
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posted by ablazingsaddle
on Nov 6, 2012 -
12 answers
How honest can I afford to be in my upward manager review when he will know instantly that it's me? I have real issues to address but fear repercussions. And yes, it's supposedly anonymous.
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posted by Toto_tot
on Oct 29, 2012 -
26 answers
I was terminated three months ago and have recently been offered to take over my old division as a new company. Details inside.
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 27, 2012 -
22 answers
I'm being asked to engage in business practices that are probably bad for my company in the long run and driving me nuts personally. I'm also a new temp and not in a great position to rock the boat. Is there any way to make this situation more bearable?
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 29, 2012 -
14 answers
Fast forward one year later, boss situation changed again. Help me make it change for the better this time.
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 21, 2012 -
1 answer
I have a newish job at a law firm. I like it. It's not in my field and I'm a bit overqualified, but I need the money and a sense of accomplishment. I work very hard, am trying to learn quickly, and have had excellent, enthusiastic feedback from my boss. However, a coworker who has some problems with my work style and constantly tells me I'm a sloppy worker wants to have a sit-down meeting with me at Starbucks tomorrow to discuss my work. This person is not my boss, and my actual boss has made it clear to me that this person is in no way my boss. Do I tell my real boss what this guy is doing?
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 11, 2012 -
47 answers
I have a staff member who is driving me up the wall. Please help me to understand what exactly it is that she is doing - and how to deal with it.
Much more under the cut.
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posted by anonymous
on May 15, 2012 -
49 answers
Boss wants to talk about why I haven't been in the office that much these past few months and why my work is not up to par. I've been struggling with depression. How can I talk to him about this?
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 3, 2012 -
28 answers
I have the chance to interview people who are likely to be my manager. What should I ask?
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 3, 2012 -
8 answers
In a flurry of self-doubt, excitement, apprehension regarding my career, boss. and social life. What should I do?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 14, 2012 -
5 answers
How do I tell my boss I don't want to carpool with the group for a 12+ hour round trip?
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posted by dalesd
on Jan 12, 2012 -
31 answers
How do I manage a workflow that is dependent on other people's efforts? My (mostly administrative) job requires that I do things that are frequently dependent on the contributions and/or approval of other people, who frequently can't/don't/won't complete tasks in a timely manner. What do I do? (Details inside)
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posted by Wretch729
on Dec 13, 2011 -
11 answers
Should I ask for a demotion? Or keep sucking it up while I look for the next big thing? I'm a newspaper editor who hates her job and would like to be a reporter again.
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posted by croutonsupafreak
on Dec 7, 2011 -
13 answers
I have a job interview next week. Meanwhile, my current supervisor is anxious to start the work plan and budget process for 2012. I feel dishonest committing to projects that I have no intention of carrying out. I need my supervisor as a reference and I can't burn this bridge - how do I tell my boss I'm interviewing elsewhere?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 23, 2011 -
10 answers
Is my boss a jerk / being overboard?
I've noticed certain behaviors about my boss that bother me, and I need some validation and outside opinion on whether my boss is being overboard. Everyone else at work seems to just shut up and accept such behavior. To what extent are these things acceptable in a work environment?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 22, 2011 -
28 answers
My boss has asked me to write my own an "intent to leave" letter and I'm wondering if anything else should go in it beside the date of my last day of work.
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posted by victoriab
on Nov 7, 2011 -
17 answers
My boss called me at 1:45am to ask me to come in early the next day. Is that as outrageous as I think it is?
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posted by Nibbly Fang
on Oct 16, 2011 -
34 answers
Yesterday I was called into what turned out to be a humiliating tag-team meeting where my supervisor and the department director took turns berating me for my job performance over the past year. Short on specifics and long on phrases like "you don't display ownership of your projects," and "you're always late," etc. All this is odd because just a couple months ago I got an un-scheduled mid-year raise and 'ata-boy from the director. Yes, one of the same who was pounding on me yesterday.
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posted by markhu
on Oct 5, 2011 -
22 answers
Exit letter and interview...how should I treat the elephant in the room...my incompetent boss?
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posted by idle
on Sep 14, 2011 -
26 answers
My boss is brilliant at what he does - except for the management part. He is highly critical of himself and others, has little to no people skills, and he's making me miserable. It's making me self-doubt my abilities and the negativity is creeping into my personal life. What can I do to deal with my perfectionist boss while I make my exit strategy?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 7, 2011 -
8 answers
Can you help me navigate a conflict situation regarding differing expectations for my responsibilities as a volunteer?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 4, 2011 -
23 answers
My boss is harassing me, she has always been hyper and hateful, but this week was hell.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 27, 2011 -
25 answers
Though I can be broodish and moody at home at times, I keep it in check. People at my workplace find me enjoyable and fun to work with. They find me humorous. I have friends there. Today, one manager out of the blue from another department told me "You are the most negative person I know." I told her in an even tone "That is not too nice a thing to say, you know?" She just rolled her eyes and laughed and said "You're a downer…like Eeyore". Context: She sort of glides from department to department with this air of superiority and says edgy things to people in a joking-but-not-really way. Many don't find her funny. I let her get to me as it cut me deeply. Real deep. Before that I was in a zen mode all day and at peace. How do I deal with interactions with her in the future as I can't change her and I secretly think she likes taking jabs at people. (moderate sociopath?) She is higher in the chain and is liked even higher up as a hatchetwoman and I don't want to be rash with something I might say back. I wish I could buy Thick Skin on ebay or something. Thanks for your answers. (If it matters, I am a male.)
posted by snap_dragon
on Aug 23, 2011 -
48 answers
My boss's work-related (lack of) boundaries is really getting on my nerves. Help me figure out how to deal?
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 22, 2011 -
9 answers
