Dear Lori,
I work for someone who one day is wonderful to me, and the next day this person is yelling at me that I am incompetent. When I tell this person they are suppose to be my supervisor and helping me not yelling at me I am accused of having a “sassy mouth”. I can’t afford to lose my job, and I don’t know what to make my supervisor happy. I have tried to be pleasant and upbeat even if I don’t feel that way, I try to get all the work done that is assigned to me but it just doesn’t seem to be enough. Do you have any insight to this problem?
Thanks,
Unhappy with Supervisor

Dear Unhappy,
I can see where this would be frustrating for you. It would be very difficult to have a supervisor switch from being friendly to yelling at you. There are many pieces of information I don’t have. Based upon what you have told me I would suggest a few things. First, do you have an accurate job description? If you do not, then get one. If you do are you able to do everything in your job description? If you can’t then go to your supervisor and get the necessary help/training. Is your supervisor yelling at you for good reason? Are you not able to do the work? If you can’t again sit with your supervisor and work out a plan so you can get the training you need to do the job. If you are doing your job well, then your supervisor may have a problem with you. In this case I advise that you begin documenting these yelling episodes for awhile. Then when you have at least 5 different episodes documented, show them to your supervisor if you think they will listen and try to work it out. If you think they will not be willing to sit down and discuss this with you, perhaps you need to take the documentation to their boss. I feel strongly that one should go to the person they are having a problem with before jumping over their head, but I will leave that decision to you.
Good Luck,
Lori

Dear Lori,
I am being harassed at work by my boss. I am afraid to do anything about it because I need my job. I am tired of being told one day that I am the best assistant because I am cooperating. The next day, I am being yelled at because I am not being cooperative. I never know which boss is going to walk in the door in the morning or after lunch. Sometimes my boss will in the hallway start yelling at me and continues until I am in tears. Do you have any suggestions for how I can handle my boss?
Sincerely,
Harassed

Dear Harassed,
You must do something about this situation. I realize in today’s economy, jobs may be scarce, but you need to begin looking for another job. I know it may be intimidating to think about reporting your boss the higher ups, but I think it is so important to do. It may give you a sense of equity in this very unequal situation. As well, your boss will not be able to do this to anyone else. If you are worried about having a job, hold off saying anything until you have secured another job. I do urge you though to say something before you go, if you can not do it before then. No one deserves to be treated they way you are describing, after awhile it is simply human nature to have some concerns about your competency in your job skills. Try to put this situation in perspective, and get your confidence and resume together. Then, go find a place to work, where you will be appreciated.

Good Luck,
Lori