<p>What advice would you give the young person. The boss makes cutting remarks when discussing performance even though reviews are satisfactory. Difficult area to find employment and this position is only open because the last 7 people that worked for this supervisor walked out or were fired. (Was made aware of this by other staff). </p>
<p>Besides looking for another job any ideas how to deal with this type of supervisor?</p>
<p>Antacids. Really.</p>
<p>I had a crazy, toxic boss once. The day that I had my final discussion with her, one of the issues I spoke with her about was my need to take time off to see a physician about a chronic abdominal pain I had developed. It was gone within two days of leaving the office key and my letter of resignation on her desk when she was out.</p>
<p>Does this young person care about where he/she works or what he/she does? Can he/she live without a job while looking for a different position? If the situation is truly terrible, swapping nightmare job for a barista position at Starbucks might save this person’s sanity.</p>
<p>Concentrate on the positive aspects of the job, like the pay. Try to ignore the rest since the nonsense isn’t really about the employee, but the supervisor. Take a step back and realize you are watching one screwed up person.</p>
<p>I worked for an extremely toxic boss right out of school…best thing is to keep reminding yourself that it’s not you, it’s the boss…and keep sending out those resumes.</p>
<p>I am an expert at working for toxic bosses.</p>
<p>She should keep a log of what the boss does. If/when the time is right, share it with HR. Preferably while crying and dropping the words “hostile environment” into the conversation.</p>
<p>Seriously, the advice above is the best. It’s not her, it’s the boss. Not everyone is like this boss. Most work environments are OK.</p>
<p>Son had this issue. I just said do the best you can and be the best employee you can be. The supervisor was eventually demoted two steps.</p>
<p>I work for a toxic boss also. I stay because of other positive aspects. Have them focus on the positive, keep their resume current, and network like crazy. Despite the poor economy there are jobs out there, encourage them to keep looking.</p>
<p>I worked for a toxic boss until about a year & a half ago. I did my job, ignored her nastiness as best I could, and worked on finding a new job. When I left, I did not say a single word to her … and let me tell you, there were so many I wanted to say!!! The best advice I can give is to concentrate on doing a good job and building a resume that will lead to something better down the road.</p>
<p>Exercise like a maniac after work.<br>
I’m serious, it makes a big difference.</p>
<p>(So as not to sound flippant, I mean that that one will often find toxic people in the workplace, and, while my own personal instinct is to bail immediately, I’ve found that you may very likely run into another toxic environment. So, best to change <em>your</em> perceptions. Find some way to not let it bother you. And, of course, send out resumes, because you still might find that awesome workplace.)</p>
<p>^^^Good idea about the exercise. That was one way I stayed sane during my two years at Crazy Company, during which time I worked for two absolutely nutso bosses. Exercise is good. It makes your body feel better – you get rid of all that tension – and it clears your mind.</p>
<p>Exercise is good whether your boss is good or bad.</p>
<p>BTW, I’ve never had a toxic manager. I did have one manager that didn’t know what he was doing but that was only for a short period of time.</p>
<p>Wow BC consider yourself lucky or very good at choosing jobs. I’ve been fairly lucky and good at choosing. Lots of bosses who were great, including several long term jobs where many years later (more than I want to count) I am still in touch with them. I’m the kind of person who tends to root where planted.
This year I worked for a woman who was genuinely mentally ill. Eventually she just stopped coming to work. Two months later they finally were able to sever the employment agreement. (Public job…lots of rules).
Having had children who had the same situation I would agree on the exercise routine. Keep sending out resumes, keep your nose clean, build a good reference. Exercise. Breathe. Take a coffee or walk break when you can. It sounds dumb but I believe in making up a personal mantra…something like…“your problems are not my problems…or …soon I won’t be working for you.” Repeat internally along with deep breaths during stressful times. It does help.<br>
Given the current job situation I wouldn’t just walk away.</p>
<p>My situation is flipped–new grad + amazing boss but absolutely toxic workplace! Exercise, wine, and remembering I get paid to put up with that crap now works quite well :)</p>
<p>I worked for a toxic boss straight out of college. I absolutely LOVE all the advice already provided. Great suggestions!</p>
<p>In time you may come to see this “early in your career” toxic situation as a blessing in disguise. (Keep sending those Resumes our regardless!)</p>
<p>Look for another job unless this is a company where he/she intends to stay for a long time. It generally is not worth getting into hassles over stuff like this. Unless it becomes some form of illegal harassment, meaning sexual. The sad reality is bad bosses are ridiculously common. Some are freaking insane.</p>
<p>Great advice given already… But also tell her to just keep in mind that she is gaining experience needed to apply for another job. And has a great example of what not to do when she becomes a boss herself one day!</p>
<p>Most people leave a job because of their boss, not because of pay or work. I was hired few months ago because of a toxic senior manager. I was to be the buffer between the staff and this guy. I was able to stand up to this guy because I didn’t really care and I was smarter than him. 
I just did my job and ignored him. The team was happier and productive since I arrived. Last week I was told that my reporting line is going to change, moved over to report directly to the President of company. I’ve had many toxic managers. If OP kid’s company is not very mobil, I would have him start looking for a job (life is too short), while he is still there, try not to take what this guy says too personally. It really sucks when a manager is bad.</p>
<p>I’ve been so lucky. I’ve had only one toxic boss ever, and that was only for a temp job, so just knowing it was only a summer gig made it bearable. Can’t imagine the stress of having a horrible boss day in and day out in a situation where one really needs to stay in the job for the foreseeable future. Can’t be good for one’s health.</p>
<p>I worked for the same company for 30 years, and had some great bosses and some nutjobs as well. One of the latter hated people so much, he would leave his office and go work in an unoccupied office with the lights out, reading his documents by flashlight, hoping no one would find him. Now that’s seriously messed up. You can just imagine the rest of his decision-making.</p>
<p>Exercise is great. The best exercise is just gritting your teeth… If you like the job and the company, the boss will change in time.</p>
<p>Don’t do what I did – my toxic boss was so toxic she made everyone crazy. It was a small retail store, which she owned, and her son and daughter ran it with her. There was no HR to complain to. She’d criticize, humiliate, denigrate everyone. Finally I screamed at her “F*** you!” and quit.</p>
<p>Two weeks later, she called, apologized, and asked me to return.</p>
<p>I did. We had a new respect for each other. And I learned more from her on how to sell and merchandise than I did in any other job.</p>
<p>To this day, we stay in touch.</p>