• Personal insults, including sarcastic jokes and teasing
• Invading one’s “personal territory”
• Uninvited physical Contact
• Threats and intimidation, both verbal and nonverbal
• Rude interruptions
• Two-faced attacks
• Dirty looks
• Treating employees as if they are invisible

 

Tips for dealing with bad bosses:
 
If you find yourself working for a bad boss, there are a few ways to try to cope with his or her workplace bullying.  Don't count on any of these tips eliminating the problem entirely, but they might help make your work environment a bit more bearable.
 
1. Most importantly, run as fast as you can!  If you discover that your new boss is abusive or lacks basic managerial skills, start looking for another job immediately.  There aren't too many toxic bosses who suddenly change their ways and start treating coworkers and employees with respect.  Also, working with a bad boss is often extremely stressful and the effects can be devastating to your emotional well-being, self-esteem, and even to your physical health.

2. Try deflecting your boss' aggression onto concrete, work-related issues.  If you are being yelled at and attacked personally, ask your boss specific questions like, "What would you like me to do to help correct this problem?"

3. Many bad bosses feel the need to blame other people and find scapegoats for problems that arise.  If your boss angrily accuses you of making a mistake or blames you for something that goes wrong, trying to explain and defend yourself will often add fuel to the fire and will make his or her outburst even worse.  Instead, try apologizing, even if you feel that you weren't at fault (you aren't going to change his or her mind anyways).  Then thank your boss for bringing the problem to your attention and tell him or her that you will do your best to try to make sure that it won't happen again.  This might catch your boss by surprise and might bring a quick end to his or her tirade.

4. Bad bosses often focus their bullying on people who they perceive as being weak and powerless.  It might help if you confront your boss after an outburst and assertively explain to him or her that you feel that you should not have to put up with that kind of behavior.  If this doesn't help, you might try sending an email to your boss after an episode with similar written remarks.  This might dissuade him or her from taking their aggression out on you and might cause them to look for another target who will be more willing to put up with their behavior.

5. You should document and record all instances of bullying and abusive behavior on the part of your boss.  Print out and save hostile and inappropriate emails that you receive from your boss, and keep a journal to document and describe all cases when your boss behaves in an abusive manner.  You should present all of this material to your HR department or to your manager's boss when you leave the company so that they are made aware of your boss' behavior and actions.  Although this will not help you personally, it is possible that if enough complaints are submitted about this bad boss, he or she may ultimately be dismissed by the company.

 

6. As a last resort, you can take legal action and sue your employer for creating a hostile work environment or for transgressions such as sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation, if applicable.  The decision to file a lawsuit against your boss or employer should be made only after consultations with an employment lawyer or with an organization such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).