A toxic, bullying boss can make work a living nightmare. It can also be difficult to deal with this issue since your boss holds authority over you and your position. There are steps you can take to mitigate the situation, however. Forbes offers the following tips on how you can deal with a toxic or abusive boss on a daily basis.
Seek out the support of others
Bullying bosses often set their sights on more than one target. If you know others at work experience the same issue, seek these people out and ask if they’d be willing to file a formal complaint with you. Human resources is there to help in cases just like this, and the more people filing complaints, the stronger your case will be. Additionally, seeking support from others will also help you on a personal level since you’ll know that you’re not alone in the ill-treatment.
Focus on job performance
This is definitely easier said than done since a toxic boss can affect numerous areas at your place of work. By focusing on your performance and ability, you can avoid giving the toxic personality the satisfaction he craves. For instance, completing work tasks quickly and efficiently can actually reduce the amount of contact you have with your boss on a daily basis.
Don’t offer up too much information
Of course, there will be times when you must confer with your boss. In this case, only offer as much information as necessary for the subject. Talking too much only opens you up to further abuse, and may even provide your boss ammunition for future gripes and disputes. If you’ve broached the issue with human resources and it still hasn’t been resolved, consider filing a formal complaint.
