Dear seniors,
Greetings of the day.
Let me quickly brief you about the situation which I am facing. I started working in an organization as an HR executive two years back. When I joined, there was an admin officer to whom I was reporting. However, within two months of my joining, the entire management team changed, and even my reporting admin officer left. The entire HR responsibility then fell on me. Unfortunately, the previous management had no system and no proper documentation for anything. It was really difficult to understand and deliver the tasks with very little or no information. Somehow, I was able to manage.
Our new head of management began asking for proof for everything, which we did not have at all. He started shouting and scolding us. Whenever we went to him, he only pointed out negatives in our work and tried to find faults. The word of appreciation is not in his dictionary. He speaks very rudely to all of us and behaves as if he is superior, while making us feel inferior. This daily torture is affecting my confidence and morale. Because of this, I am making more mistakes, which I know is not acceptable. I am struggling to figure out how to handle this situation without hurting anybody's ego.
Desperately waiting for advice...
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Pooja
From India, Bangalore
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3Greetings of the day.
Let me quickly brief you about the situation which I am facing. I started working in an organization as an HR executive two years back. When I joined, there was an admin officer to whom I was reporting. However, within two months of my joining, the entire management team changed, and even my reporting admin officer left. The entire HR responsibility then fell on me. Unfortunately, the previous management had no system and no proper documentation for anything. It was really difficult to understand and deliver the tasks with very little or no information. Somehow, I was able to manage.
Our new head of management began asking for proof for everything, which we did not have at all. He started shouting and scolding us. Whenever we went to him, he only pointed out negatives in our work and tried to find faults. The word of appreciation is not in his dictionary. He speaks very rudely to all of us and behaves as if he is superior, while making us feel inferior. This daily torture is affecting my confidence and morale. Because of this, I am making more mistakes, which I know is not acceptable. I am struggling to figure out how to handle this situation without hurting anybody's ego.
Desperately waiting for advice...
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Pooja
From India, Bangalore
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Dear Pooja,
Handling tough bosses is a part of life. We all go through it at some time or another. As Stephen Covey put it, evaluate your options and try to be proactive. The general approach is 'don't take it to heart'. Ignore it as you would treat a barking dog. All of us should examine the FREEDOM TO CHOOSE - to quote Stephen Covey again. Many articles have appeared on the topic of tough bosses in Cite HR. Please browse them and see how you can benefit from them.
V.Raghunathan
From India
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Handling tough bosses is a part of life. We all go through it at some time or another. As Stephen Covey put it, evaluate your options and try to be proactive. The general approach is 'don't take it to heart'. Ignore it as you would treat a barking dog. All of us should examine the FREEDOM TO CHOOSE - to quote Stephen Covey again. Many articles have appeared on the topic of tough bosses in Cite HR. Please browse them and see how you can benefit from them.
V.Raghunathan
From India
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You had worked for two years. What was done to streamline work? Now, you will have to be tactful and proactive. Try to move things as far as possible in a proactive manner. But do not get disheartened by a difficult boss. Unfortunately, as there are problematic subordinates, there are problematic bosses. Dealing with such a boss gives you a good deal of knowledge and tact. Ignore barbs and criticism, and try to be as professional as possible. Keep documenting your work and keep him in the loop. Do not worry too much about hurting some people's ego. Avoid it as far as you can, but where necessary to tell the truth or bring out facts, do not worry about egos, but be sure of the accuracy of your work. Many bosses have fragile egos and feel they are the ultimate. But then you have to learn to tackle such people. Take time and avoid mistakes. Do not let him break your confidence and produce results. The boss will change or, in the end, fit if things do not change; look out for alternative jobs.
From India, Pune
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From India, Pune
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Dear Seniors,
Thank you very much for your moral support.
I want to quote one more thing here. I am working in Dubai, and the head office is in India. We have to seek approval for everything, whether it's an increment, fitment, promotion, or separation. For the past two years, we have been able to establish proper procedures and standards in recruitment, streamlined payroll procedures, introduced some employee benefit programs, and implemented an appraisal system. We have also prepared policies and requested circulation, but the response from him was very poor. He mentioned that we already have policies prepared by an external consultant that have been sent for approval, but to date, we have not received anything. Even for sending a simple circular, he does not easily accept. Amidst daily activities, I hardly have time to think about anything. After completing everything, he remains unsatisfied...
We are not clear about what he exactly expects from us. Some of the formats and procedures we are currently following were instructed by him, but at times, he claims that everything we are doing is wrong. It's painful.
Regards,
Pooja
From India, Bangalore
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Thank you very much for your moral support.
I want to quote one more thing here. I am working in Dubai, and the head office is in India. We have to seek approval for everything, whether it's an increment, fitment, promotion, or separation. For the past two years, we have been able to establish proper procedures and standards in recruitment, streamlined payroll procedures, introduced some employee benefit programs, and implemented an appraisal system. We have also prepared policies and requested circulation, but the response from him was very poor. He mentioned that we already have policies prepared by an external consultant that have been sent for approval, but to date, we have not received anything. Even for sending a simple circular, he does not easily accept. Amidst daily activities, I hardly have time to think about anything. After completing everything, he remains unsatisfied...
We are not clear about what he exactly expects from us. Some of the formats and procedures we are currently following were instructed by him, but at times, he claims that everything we are doing is wrong. It's painful.
Regards,
Pooja
From India, Bangalore
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Interesting,
You joined the company 2 years ago. Your management changes after 2 months, meaning you had 20 months to get things right. Even after 1 1/2 years, you do not have a system of doing work, your documentation is not in place, you do not have proof of things you have done, and you are making mistakes all the time. On top of everything, you are an expat and therefore a high-cost resource (probably requiring perks like housing, etc). And you expect the manager to be happy and pat you on the back. It's unlikely to happen.
We don't know your position, qualification, or experience prior to this. So we don't know whether you should have known what you are asked to do, but it appears your boss thinks these are things you are supposed to know.
You need to evaluate whether you are fit and capable of doing this job. If your knowledge and experience are inadequate to do the work, then you should be looking for another job which you can do and learn your way up, perhaps a job that has a senior who will guide and train you. The other option is to take time off and go for training that will give you the required skill set.
From India, Mumbai
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You joined the company 2 years ago. Your management changes after 2 months, meaning you had 20 months to get things right. Even after 1 1/2 years, you do not have a system of doing work, your documentation is not in place, you do not have proof of things you have done, and you are making mistakes all the time. On top of everything, you are an expat and therefore a high-cost resource (probably requiring perks like housing, etc). And you expect the manager to be happy and pat you on the back. It's unlikely to happen.
We don't know your position, qualification, or experience prior to this. So we don't know whether you should have known what you are asked to do, but it appears your boss thinks these are things you are supposed to know.
You need to evaluate whether you are fit and capable of doing this job. If your knowledge and experience are inadequate to do the work, then you should be looking for another job which you can do and learn your way up, perhaps a job that has a senior who will guide and train you. The other option is to take time off and go for training that will give you the required skill set.
From India, Mumbai
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Dear Pooja,
Other senior members have given their views. Since I also hold similar views, these do not merit reiteration. Now I would like to look at the other side.
Your first post is written in informal language. Should we construe your post as an informal attitude itself? Now, in contrast, if your boss is methodical or fastidious, then your personalities are contrasting with each other.
From both of your posts, if we read between the lines, we find a lack of managerial grace in your boss. However, at this stage, you may recollect on what occasions your boss had scolded you. Make a list of such instances and find out whether any pattern emerges. Make two lists, one for you and one for others. When you document his behavior, you should be able to understand his psychology.
Your problem is that you should have worked under an experienced HR Manager. Hardly had you joined when the Admin Managers, to whom you were reporting, also left. Therefore, the mantle of change fell on your shoulders. But then you were not prepared to shoulder this responsibility.
When a person works in a very organized company, when he/she leaves that job, he/she tries to replicate the good practices of his/her past company. Your problem is your lack of exposure. This is also one of the factors that are putting you on the spot.
Lastly, you are a little vague when you say "there were no systems and procedures" when you joined. But then what change did you bring in? Did you try to showcase it to your boss?
If the work atmosphere is too frustrating, then you may look for a change. However, in your next job, make sure that you have someone to guide you.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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Other senior members have given their views. Since I also hold similar views, these do not merit reiteration. Now I would like to look at the other side.
Your first post is written in informal language. Should we construe your post as an informal attitude itself? Now, in contrast, if your boss is methodical or fastidious, then your personalities are contrasting with each other.
From both of your posts, if we read between the lines, we find a lack of managerial grace in your boss. However, at this stage, you may recollect on what occasions your boss had scolded you. Make a list of such instances and find out whether any pattern emerges. Make two lists, one for you and one for others. When you document his behavior, you should be able to understand his psychology.
Your problem is that you should have worked under an experienced HR Manager. Hardly had you joined when the Admin Managers, to whom you were reporting, also left. Therefore, the mantle of change fell on your shoulders. But then you were not prepared to shoulder this responsibility.
When a person works in a very organized company, when he/she leaves that job, he/she tries to replicate the good practices of his/her past company. Your problem is your lack of exposure. This is also one of the factors that are putting you on the spot.
Lastly, you are a little vague when you say "there were no systems and procedures" when you joined. But then what change did you bring in? Did you try to showcase it to your boss?
If the work atmosphere is too frustrating, then you may look for a change. However, in your next job, make sure that you have someone to guide you.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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One thing is clear. Boss is difficult. But the employee has also shown gaps in performance. The employee must first focus on what she can control - performance, improved knowledge, and putting things right in her sphere of activity. Probably the boss, seeing the state of things, is venting his unhappiness. If things improve, he may also become more congenial.
Focus on what change you can bring in your work. The boss lacks grace possibly, but even difficult bosses can change for the better when positive results flow.
From India, Pune
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Focus on what change you can bring in your work. The boss lacks grace possibly, but even difficult bosses can change for the better when positive results flow.
From India, Pune
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Pooja, you have been a member since 2007. You should have been an expert by now.
The only dictum, "Boss is always right." If you do not agree to it, your future in career graph is bleak.
Now for tackling the issue, whenever you are putting a note for any case, you should be specific about the past records and mention clearly that such records are not available. This is for your safety. Then ask your boss for a meeting and tell him that you require some guidance on how to update records. Take a specific file and seek his advice. He will bluff as he knows nothing, but do appreciate how helpful he is. Assure him that you will be updating the past records gradually. Tell him directly that you consider him as your mentor and it becomes stressful for you if rebuked incessantly.
Always be polite and never blame anybody. Things will change. All the best.
From India, Ahmedabad
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The only dictum, "Boss is always right." If you do not agree to it, your future in career graph is bleak.
Now for tackling the issue, whenever you are putting a note for any case, you should be specific about the past records and mention clearly that such records are not available. This is for your safety. Then ask your boss for a meeting and tell him that you require some guidance on how to update records. Take a specific file and seek his advice. He will bluff as he knows nothing, but do appreciate how helpful he is. Assure him that you will be updating the past records gradually. Tell him directly that you consider him as your mentor and it becomes stressful for you if rebuked incessantly.
Always be polite and never blame anybody. Things will change. All the best.
From India, Ahmedabad
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" Boss is always right." This is misspelt dictum; dissent is the essence of management..
From India, Kochi
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From India, Kochi
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Hi PVenu,
Dissent is the essence of management, which is a truism. However, in practical life, those who dissent are often sidelined. The reason for dissent is never properly analyzed by the bosses. Some bosses treat dissent as an indicator that the employee wants to leave the job, rather than seeing it as an indication of the employee's engagement with the job. The "my way or the highway" style is practiced by many managers.
Thank you.
From India, Pune
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Dissent is the essence of management, which is a truism. However, in practical life, those who dissent are often sidelined. The reason for dissent is never properly analyzed by the bosses. Some bosses treat dissent as an indicator that the employee wants to leave the job, rather than seeing it as an indication of the employee's engagement with the job. The "my way or the highway" style is practiced by many managers.
Thank you.
From India, Pune
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1.Be a Better Boss and not a Bitter Boss.doc