When You Just Need to Quit Your Boss

Do you think your superior sucks? Don’t throw in the towel just yet. Narrow in on how to manage your manager instead.

- Ellie McDonald

So you nailed the interview, got the job and you’re six months into a new 9-to-5 (or -6) life. Despite this victory, you’re finding that your career glory is tarnishing more and more with each soul-sapping day that passes — all down to bad-boss behaviour.

This was what happened to Alex*, 26, when she landed a killer role in finance. It wasn’t long after she started the job that Alex realised that office politics — driven by someone above her — made for a ridiculously toxic work environment.

“When someone goes out of their way to deliberately undermine others, you will lose confidence,” she says. “You are always completely on edge.”

So much so it has caused Alex to even consider quitting her newly acquired job.

Now, if you can’t deal with your manager, don’t email her in a resignation rage ... yet. First, let’s look the ways your boss grinds your gears and we’ll show you exactly how to deal.

YOU FEEL THAT YOUR WORKLOAD IS UNREASONABLE

You find yourself wading through stacks of paper just to get to your keyboard. Everyone else seems to be able to leave on time, but your workload holds you back from making plans with your pals. With the amount of work you have to do, you never finish on time. You’re totally exhausted after work each night.

What to do: Look at the bright side — those who are efficient and perform well tend to be given a lot more to do. While this may be true, Jane Lowder, founder of career consultancy Max Coaching (maxcoaching.com.au) points out that it’s important to have a balance.