Advice for difficult supervisor at work

[Why Always Me]

Wanted some advice on a Supervisor at work who is very trying to say the least.

He has been with the company I work for since he was 18 (12 years) and he has worked his way up to supervisor. He is VERY harsh on the young lads in the department, constantly watching over them like a hawk, taking the piss out of them, trying to embarrass them in front of girls (I used to get this from him as well) and generally being VERY harsh on them.

He also has a tendancy to almost talk down to you, he will pull you up on the smallest things, take you into the office with a HUGE swagger and use 'big' words and phrases. His absolute favourite thing to do is to tell you what you have done wrong, relay it to you and then utter the immortal words 'I'm interested to hear your thoughts', follwed by him sitting back in his chair and almost motioning to you that the floor is yours.

It seems simple enough to advise about putting a complaint in, but he always seems to stop just shy of going too far so to speak and he simply says he is a tough supervisor. He also loves to say he is like that because he wants to build character in people (his other favourite phrase).

So - how would you descibe this guy? And how would you deal with him, when he says he is 'interested to hear our thoughts' and 'wants to build our characters' (honest to god, those two sayings could rival AND THATS THE BOTTOM LINE & IF YA SMELL as famous catchphrases).

I'm interested to read your thoughts.......

Thanks.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

when he asks for your thoughts, what do you say?

 

[klunderbunker]

Come up with a well thought out idea and present it to him when he asks for your thoughts?

 

[Alastor]

Er...relay your thoughts to him?
What kind of small things do you mean?
Instead of thinking of complaining think about what you can do better?

 

[Why Always Me]

Er...relay your thoughts to him?
What kind of small things do you mean?
Instead of thinking of complaining think about what you can do better?

I have, we all have,

TBH I dont think it matters so much what we say, its the way he says it, with a smug attitude, his whole body language says he is better than us.

The ironic thing is if he is out of work he is nothing like that, its only in work he does it. Outside of work its like he is best mates to us all. Im thinking power trip.

 

[Miko]

A good way to deal with people like that is when they try to have a go at you you look over their shoulder, just keep staring over his shoulder when he is telling you what you've done wrong, then when he asks for your thoughts you just say "well, I won't do that again."

It's mild insubordination, or not giving someone enough rope so that they can hang you, like back at school, once a teacher knows you don't give a shit they can't actually touch you and as long as you're not a complete twat they can't fire you.

 

[Alastor]

I have, we all have,

TBH I dont think it matters so much what we say, its the way he says it, with a smug attitude, his whole body language says he is better than us.

The ironic thing is if he is out of work he is nothing like that, its only in work he does it. Outside of work its like he is best mates to us all. Im thinking power trip.

Hmm then my only advice is don't judge till you are in his position doing very similar things for a very long time and then seeing somebody new mess something simple up. No matter how minor it seem. It is only human nature.

If you are pro wrestler doing the shit for years and a new guy can't run the ropes right 9/10 times you would be smug when correcting him too.

 

[Poop Master Flex]

A lot of bosses have small man complex, sounds like your boss is no different whether its a height thing or otherwise. I'm just saying I've seen bosses that make your boss look like Ghandi in comparison.

Call him out on his shit. If you just tell the guy "Hey, if you have something to say to me fine but can you at least do it in a professional manner?". I've had bosses like that, a lot of had it too. Stand up for yourself, call your boss out but do it in a tactful way. Don't freak, don't resort to name calling, don't do anything drastic just stand up for yourself. Let him know his smug attitude isn't gonna work on you. It worked for me in the past at least.

Most of all remember this: He can't fire you unless he has a good reason. You standing up for yourself is NOT a good reason. As long as you show up on time and do your job he can't do anything. If he does lawyer his ass.

If you try this, nothing improves, and he's just as much of a smug asshole as he usually is then ask yourself this: Do you really want to work for this guy?

If the answer is no then maybe its time to look for a new job.

 

[Loveless]

He sounds like an egotistical prick. If you like your job, keep quiet because he'll make an example of you. If you don't like your job, feel free to embarrass him infront of everyone before walking out.

 

[Thriller Ant]

Has anyone suggested to kill him yet? Because you should do that.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

What kind of job is it anyway?

 

[Lee]

Go to his manager.