#WorkConflict #ProfessionalRelationships #CommunicationSkills
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you feel like your boss doesn’t like you? It can be a challenging situation to navigate, especially when your job security is at stake. But fear not, here are some steps you can take to address this issue and improve your relationship with your boss:
## Understanding the Root of the Issue
It’s crucial to first understand why your boss may not be fond of you. In the case mentioned, the reasons included losing the company pass, not replying to emails promptly, and requesting to work from home. Reflect on these reasons and try to see things from your boss’s perspective.
## Communication is Key
– **Schedule a One-on-One Meeting**: Take the initiative to schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss her expectations of you. This will show that you are proactive and willing to improve.
– **Listen Actively**: During the meeting, listen attentively to your boss’s feedback and ask for clarification if needed. Show that you are open to constructive criticism and eager to make improvements.
## Addressing Specific Concerns
– **Company Pass Incident**: Apologize for losing the company pass and assure your boss that you will be more cautious in the future. Offer to cover the cost of replacing the pass if necessary.
– **Email Communication**: Clarify your email response time policy with your boss. Explain that you prioritize urgent emails and handle non-urgent ones during office hours, unless instructed otherwise.
– **Working from Home**: Express your gratitude for being allowed to work from home and clarify any misunderstandings about your request. Reassure your boss that you are committed to delivering high-quality work, whether in the office or remotely.
## Demonstrating Professionalism
– **Exceed Expectations**: Show your boss that you are capable and reliable by exceeding expectations in your work. Prove your worth through your performance and dedication to your job.
– **Seek Feedback**: Ask for feedback regularly to gauge your progress and make necessary adjustments. Be proactive in seeking ways to improve and grow in your role.
## Building a Positive Relationship
– **Show Initiative**: Take on additional tasks or responsibilities to demonstrate your commitment to the team. Show that you are willing to go above and beyond to contribute to the success of the company.
– **Maintain a Positive Attitude**: Approach each interaction with your boss with a positive attitude and willingness to collaborate. Show genuine interest in your work and the success of the team.
In conclusion, facing a situation where your boss doesn’t like you can be tough, but it’s important to address the issue head-on and work towards improving the relationship. By demonstrating professionalism, effective communication, and a willingness to listen and learn, you can turn the situation around and foster a positive working relationship with your boss. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity for growth and development. Good luck! 🌟
I would agree with you that she does not like you, and also that her complaints are pretty unreasonable. You can try to have a talk to her, but this feels more like a bad fit that’s never really going to pan out. Keep at it, but I think you are right to be worried about passing your probation. If you don’t pass, don’t obsess over it. This doesn’t really feel like it’s your fault.
Sounds like you might already be one foot out the door if your direct manager does not like you during the probationary period and is bluntly expressing it to you. The first 30, 60 & 90 days are your most critical in starting a new job to prove your worth.
First, you need to immediately correct all of those you’ve mentioned that your manager expects from you. You seem to have an idea of her style and expectations so you need to get back on track. Right or wrong, you need to do what she expects before it escalates further with you leaving sooner rather than later.
Finally, don’t ask for any special privileges like WFH or other things that you see others have that you don’t. You are not them. If your manager has not extended those privileges to you during your probation period don’t think that you should, at least not now.
Hmmm I have a few questions:
-was this pass horribly difficult for your boss to reorder? (To dislike someone personally over this seems childish tbh)
-It’s expected of you to answer work emails while not on the clock?
-how did the conversation go regarding working from home? Was this for full time wfh or just wondering when you could have the same schedule as your peers?
-how long is your probationary period?
-is this person someone you, after your month with the company, can see yourself working for long term?
OP, I’m not sure what your overall experience is or where you are, but this life is short. Weigh your options. If you feel you need to keep this position under this person (and applying elsewhere in the company isn’t an option, which could be tough anyway), do your best to demonstrate your capacity to perform. Ask questions. Check out your peers metrics and ask for guidance where needed. But don’t sweat not being liked.
These could be the reasons, she could have no opinion of you at all and others could be stirring the pot, she could just be a gossip, or she could have other personal reasons (maybe she needs to figure herself out and is insecure) for having an issue with you. None of those things really point to you. And truly, outside of job performance, her opinion of you isn’t as important as your performance.
If you can and want to, look for work elsewhere privately to weigh your options too. If you decide to leave, and there is an exit interview, you can seek closure then but you’ll find that outside of nothing constructive, it won’t matter.
All that said,
Good luck!
So you have a clear idea of what’s expected of you to pass your probation? Are there benchmarks or project milestones?
It will be easier to pass if there are measurable results. If it’s just a vibe or a feeling it’s much harder to measure up.
If you don’t have measurable milestones for probation, ask for some.
Did you agree to answering off-hours emails before you started working there?
Does it say anything about working from home in your agreement?
Talk to her directly. It is a red flag though if she’s talking to other people about her concerns vs. talking to you directly. That’s not very professional.
So she wants you to download ms office and essentially work from home but you asking to work from home was too much for her?
Do some office politics and make sure other IMPORTANT people like you. You don’t have to be besties but there needs to be some sympathy there. It helps ALOT to be somewhat liked.
This happened to me at my first professional internship; I was fixated upon by the team manager who is a middle-aged c*nt. She would tell the office any little thing I did like being late for getting my car stuck in snow, forgetting to turn on a setting in our software, and blamed me for following the incorrect instruction she had given me herself. I wonder to this day why that happened to me and why it happens to anybody at all. I don’t know that you’ll ever get an answer to “why”.
Try a mask
Similar situation. Been in my role for over 2 months. Onboarding was awful. My boss almost fired me, I simply said the interview and job description are different from what I’m actually doing. She said we can have a different conversation. Assumed I was experienced because I have masters. Not once in my interview process did I say I was experienced. I know excel and can program. This job isn’t programming. It’s a totally different field, role skills set than I was doing for last 8 years. Asking for assistance is basically non existent. As she expects me to figure it out. Compared me to other new hire. I could go on.
See if you can set up a Zoom call with your boss and ask for feedback. She won’t necessarily know that you heard she was saying bad things about you from a coworker. You may not be able to turn things around, but direct communication with her is the best way of trying to accomplish that.
“Hi X, I’ve been hearing from others that you have some concerns about me and my work. Let’s set aside some time to deal with those more directly. I’m sure we can work through these issues more effectively that way’. Start writing these things down, but don’t share them with your boss. If people above your boss or HR start talking to you, then you’ll have these things on record. Also take notes/diary on every meeting you have with your boss, or every time your boss tries to correct your behavior.
1 month in at any job is just not long enough to prove your work ability. Some people have more patience than others with new hires. I would stick with it and try to talk to her one on one. A few more months and this could all be a non issue.
now you see why the previous employee left?most of these jobs are a toxic mess
The boundaries about replying to emails are different these days.
Logic isn’t there. Some peiole choose not to like us. Some people I know do not like me. I can’t say I lose sleepb over it. One of my current supervisors doesn’t like.me. I am not as codependent as I once was
Having boundaries at work.doesnt go down well
I have ro ready patrol ny boundaries at work.
Sounds like a tough person to work with. Being agree at you for an accident, for setting up boundaries outside of work hours, and for not being truthful herself and holding resentment all sounds like your typical toxic boss.
Considering she is overseas, she may have overlooked the time difference(if any) but that is still on her to not be aware of it. Unless your 8 hours are according to their time zone (which you have to agree to) there is no reason for you to work overtime just because she wants ppl at her beck and call
I don’t think you are a good fit with your manager, so maybe look at different departments or start looking elsewhere. It will not get better.
Why is she telling your colleagues she is unhappy with you, especially for such small things? Are you sure this is the truth? Why not call her in private and say, “I have heard through the grapevine that you haven’t been fully satisfied with my performance.” Then patiently let her respond to that opening.
I would be asking to be compensated to answer emails after hours
The boss is nt fit to be a boss or lead in anyway if they’re judging based on this, an apt leader would never do that.
Emails if simple request should be 10 minutes. If complex, quickly respond confirming receipt will research and update after I know more. Yeah it’s a pain but some bosses have superiority complexes.
A month was probably too soon to ask, sometimes it’s timing to know when to ask and most orgs have a 90 day probationary period.
Bosses can be jerks, just play the game for 1st 90 days.
I wouldn’t want to work In a place where the boss doesn’t respect or like me.