Pro-active and other tips for dealing with a difficult boss. TIA

Parent Cafe
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<p>this post is for one my closest friends who is starting a new job. He’s been rather desperate for employment (laid off 6 months ago), so when this position surfaced he was elated.</p>

<p>However…He went thru several layers of interviews and they were impressed by him. THEN, he was interviewed by the manager he will be reporting to. Ugh. The guy seems like an OCD control freak. This is part of what happened during the interview:</p>

<p>Mgr: how neat and organized are you at work?</p>

<p>Friend: I try to be very neat and organized at work. I put things away after I’m done using them. I make sure that my work area is tidy. I wipe down surfaces as needed. </p>

<p>Mgr: Look around my office and tell me what you think of how neat and organized it is.</p>

<p>Friend: (looks at amazingly neat office and says) : You’re very organized. This office is perfect.</p>

<p>Mgr: No, my office is almost perfect. There are two papers on my desk. One is laying in “portrait” position and one is laying in “landscape” position. Both should be the same direction. </p>

<p>Yikes!</p>

<p>Oh, and he said that he fires employees if they’re one minute late. </p>

<p>Friend got the job but is VERY nervous about working under this person. If some here could provide some pro-active actions or other tips on how this new employee can stay on his new boss’ good side. (or is it even possible? ) </p>

<p>Obviously, friend needs to be very neat and arrive at work early (to allow for unexpected traffic, etc). But, the concern is that this interview was just a window into what will be the “boss from hell”. Our thinking is that if this friend gets off on the “right foot” and gets on this boss’ good side, the boss will be easier on him. </p>

<p>The position is Ass’t Manager of a retail store and the pay is pretty good with bonuses tied to store performance. (of course, our friend would prefer not to take this job, but it’s the only thing he’s been offered, and he’s out of money.)</p>

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<p>It’s called kiss his rear until he can find something else :D. Plan to be at work 30 minute early, never leave anything on his desk, etc. Don’t bring in photos of home, nothing personal and learn to smile and nod…a lot.</p>

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<p>First, congrats to your friend for getting the job! Sounds like he already knows what to do since he was hired. Keep the desk clear and desk drawers locked.</p>

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<p>He sounds dreadful. I think your friend should do his best to meet expectations with the thought that he should continue looking. Working for someone like this could produce a constant state of stress. Probably is not sustainable for more than 12 to 18 months. That should be enough time for your friend to jump ship with some good experience behind him.</p>

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<p>Any job will go better if you follow the rule of “arrive before your boss, leave after he does.” (My father taught me that 40-some years ago.) The corollary to that rule is: “if you’re the boss, don’t get in early and don’t leave late, because people have lives.” </p>

<p>As for the neatness of the desk, I know many people who work in firms where the desk can’t have anything on it when they’re not there (security clearances, etc.). They have a lockable drawer where everything goes at the end of the day. </p>

<p>People who have OCD tendencies can be a joy to work with; they know exactly what they want and they’re very clear about it.</p>

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<p>I’d be fired on day one or two. :)</p>

<p>I can be punctuate to a job, but its the required neatness I cannot follow. I’d be very careful not to leave things on the table and keep on looking. There are better bosses out there who are more forgivable. After all, a persons performance is more important than cosmetics.</p>

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<p>It’s hard to tell how things will be until he starts working. Like dmd77 points out OCD people do have very exact expectations, many times just for themselves. Not a work situation but a sweet lady I know who I’ve worked with on committees is well known to drive people NUTS with constant worrying/questions/directions–OTOH, you know whatever job you give her will be done well at a high level.</p>

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<p>An alternate POV: This boss may have been trying to rattle your friend by appearing to be an a-hole. Obviously he should take the job, but it may turn out that the boss is OK.</p>

<p>Maybe.</p>

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<p>It’s always easier to get another job once you HAVE a job. If the boss is nuts he should start looking today!</p>

<p>Kat</p>

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<p>Just quit my job with a PITA boss who believed in face time. At least neat desks were not his hot button. </p>

<p>For these sorts, he should ask lots of questions before doing anything on his own, as the boss probably has his preferred way of doing something. These sorts also like to feel important, so asking their opinion all the time is a way of praising them and implying their opinions are always correct.</p>

<p>Good luck to him. Sounds like a nightmare to me.</p>

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<p>I suggest keeping a very detailed to-do list. I had a boss like this once, and just as they need to keep their desks neat, they need to keep their work days neat. Loose ends and forgotten deadlines drive this type crazy. Your friend should keep a list of everything he asks him to do, and make sure it gets done.</p>

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<p>One summer during college I worked for a very exacting man - think Chef Ramsey - best boss I ever had. You always knew what to expect. </p>

<p>Your friend should show up for work early, primped and pressed, shoes shined, leave the cellphone in the car. It may take a while for them to evaluate each other, but I wouldn’t assume it will be a nightmare. There are reasons people shop Nordstroms instead of TJ Maxx.</p>

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<p>Bonuses are tied to store performance…so how is the store doing under this boss? Might be a great place to work depending on the performance of the store.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the great tips and ideas. I’ll pass them on. </p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>IF anyone else has any ideas, please post as well.</p>