Clashing with new boss

[Tate15]

I've been doing my job for nearly two and a half years. At times I have gone above what is required of me and am well liked and respected by management and staff. I am a lot older than everyone and I think that has played a part as I've been completely trusted to do my job and do it well. We have a twice yearly review and I always score the highest amount possible for every aspect of my job.


I had a great boss but we have suffered from being understaffed. My boss did everything she could do recruit more staff but it's been been very difficult.

It was a complete shock to her and everyone when they pulled her position, demoted her and moved her to another location. She was very much loved and respected as she spoke to everyone with respect and was a real people person.

We now have the owners daughter as our new boss. She has no idea how to speak to people and has caused upset by her rude manner and several employees have left, with more to follow.

I knew it would only be a matter of time before she got to me. She spoke to me very rudely in front of staff and customers over an incident which she got the wrong end of the stick. I could have made a complete fool of her in front of everyone by explaining she had got it wrong but I chose to say nothing as I could see everyone looking at her knowing she was incredibly rude. I'm nearly 50, I've had staff work for me and me work for others and I have never had anyone talk to me in that manner before!

I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. My colleagues were shocked at her outburst and in private told me how out of order and was. I'm easy going but it has played on my mind. So much so that I decided to stop going the extra for the company and just do my job no more no less as this woman is rather unpleasant. I understand she is under pressure to perform but any suggestions I have made are met with utter disdain. I hear her talking to the youngsters and I find it quite upsetting at times as she can be very unpleasant and like me, some of these young people have put in extra work to help the company out.

I decided that the job was making me unhappy, which is such a shame as before she came along I loved my job. It has also coincided with my daughter wanting to go out at weekends and therefore she can't look after my dogs at the weekend whilst I work.

I told my new boss (on a Monday) that I cannot work Sundays anymore and surprise surprise she was very nice and said not a problem they were just grateful for what I can do! This was all smiley smiley to my face. I asked could I do a weekday instead, she said that was fine.

I duly didn't work the following Sunday and came in on a Wednesday instead. I had told the manager who does the shift plans and he said it was fine. I couldn't change it on their computer system as there is a glitch which means a lot of us can't make changes. All was fine last week with my not working Sunday and my coming in on Wednesday. My other shifts have stayed the same.

Today, I get a phone call from this woman who is insisting I should be in today! I was gobsmacked and reminded her that I'd spoken to her and she turned it all around saying that I couldn't pick or choose and I would be down tonight as a a no show! I was rather taken aback and somewhat bemused at her tone and said that I couldn't come in tonight. She then proceeded to say that shifts are worked out a long time in advance and I have to come in next week on a Sunday. She did agree to change it after that.

I can see the business under her control going downhill as more and more staff leave. We are 50 people down as it is!

Ive not encountered anyone like her, she says it's OK one minute but then changes her mind and pulls me up on it?

Time to change my job or ride it out and hope she will be moved on as the general consensus at work is she is very unpopular.

[Chorltonswheelies422]

I sympathise - at my work this happens on a regular basis.

Always get anything you agreed verbally in writing.
Get a 1-1 with her. Outline your strengths and how you add value. Ask her what success for you would look like.

After that make a decision on what you want to do in the long term. Remind yourself what you do have control over and go from there. End of the day, you have to look out for yourself and do what is right for you based on the facts that you have.

[MardyGrave]

The trouble is she's family, so she's unlikely to be moved on. I'd be on every job site/agency possible ASAP.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

If your boss is the owner's daughter I would really look for another job.

[Tate15]

Yes, that is what I've decided to do. The thing is that it's 25 miles away from where I live and a fifty mile round trip is expensive! A more local job will be much more beneficial.

As I dont live near my colleagues, the youngsters message me via Facebook and the general consensus is that they are unhappy and as I mentioned, some have walked out or left.

Her father is very nice as is her sister, they both have a lovely manner when talking to people so I don't know why this woman is so bloody rude!

I'm gutted really as I felt at home with my job but now I feel anxious and when I go in and see other staff being anxious, the joy of working there has gone out of the window!

[MrsCampbellBlack]

Good luck finding another job. Maybe worth having a chat with the owner when you do leave and explain why you're going.

[Tate15]

Thank you. I'm still reeling to be honest. I'm upset, annoyed with myself and worried about finfpding a new job. I've been settled in my job and thought it would take me through at least the next ten years but now I really feel that I can't get over someone speaking to me like this and I know I won't get over it and will have to leave.

I have found out that I can go into the same job but for another location but only with my bosses permission or I have to wait six months as they can't be seen to be poaching staff!

I feel like I should work somewhere completely different. Maybe a shop. I might be more likely to get better hours in this day of late openings and some supermarkets being 24 hours!