How to handle a boss who flies off the handle every now and then

[Biologyquestion]

when you least expect it .

Today I was blamed for something which not only had I not done, but which didn’t actually happen at all.

It was low level admin type stuff but still.

There was a moment when my boss turned into a Medusa type character and actually stamped her foot.

I did then prove that it was a misunderstanding, but did I get an apology, did I heck.

I have been working there for a year and my contract presently runs until December. I think in all circumstances I will move on to another job as I really don’t like not knowing when someone might fly off the handle. Even though generally they are engaging and charismatic.

WTF do some people think they can talk to others as if they are naughty children? I am 50 FFS .

My old boss used to be so inconsistent
Someone made an absolute howler that took people from head office to be brought in to sort out and she was all “these things happen let’s just get it sorted”
Someone else made a paperwork error which ended up with someone they were invoicing for literally Hundreds if thousands of pounds being invoiced for about £100 short, they spotted it and spoke to the company who agreed to send the amount on the following weeks pay run, and she went INSANE. Completely lost her head, threatened verbal warnings. Calmed down 4 minutes later.

Was a relief when I was made redundant

Yes, sounds like you are ready to move on OP.

Yes definitely, but how do I handle her potential outbursts between now and then? She can be great and lulls you into a false sense of “we are buddies”.

As if .

Plus I want a good reference so can’t burn any bridges.

My old boss used to be so inconsistent - yes it’s the not knowing which is difficult.

Hi OP,

I think all you can do is focus on your goal of getting a new job and a good reference.

Every time it happens, remind yourself of your plans.

I think when someone is loosing their head totally, it's best not to interrupt them.

Let her scream and shout and make a total show of herself.

Eventually she may notice the noise she is making and then if you are asked you can offer a point of view.

Also adopting a completely passive expression can be very effective.

Hopefully you will move on soon.

Eye on your goal👍

Just walk away from her when she starts he tantrums and hopefully you will soon be elsewhere

her tantrums grrr! this new keyboard

I had one like this. Her reaction was usually dependent, not on the actual situation but usually what was going on from snr management at the time. If she was stressed everyone walked on eggshells, if she wasn't then she wanted to be everyones buddy. Luckily me and the team decided to bond together over it and laugh at her nonsense. We used to totally grey rock the behaviour and having a team behind you makes it easier to deal with. That said it did get so bad that I wrote her a very formal email one day asking her to speak to me both over email and f2f with respect and copy and pasted a few of her most recent vile emails as examples. She was very cold and polite after that but still not fun.

I work with someone similar to this, very Jeckell and Hyde, you never know where you are with her. Some days she is absolutely fine, the next you are walking on egg shells while she rants about something.
I don't have the luxury of walking away, too old to find another full time job.
It is very difficult working with someone like this, and stressful at times as you don't know from day to day what you are walking into.

how do I handle her potential outbursts between now and then? She can be great and lulls you into a false sense of “we are buddies”.

Sounds like you may not have a problem if you only have a finite time still left.

Maybe now you're leaving she'll realise it's pointless ranting at you.

If she does start a rant, stand there looking at her blankly, blink a few times so she knows you're a human being not an inanimate filing cabinet and let her run out of steam.

How exactly does she perform her outbursts? Is it targeted at you specifically? If so and she's wrong, politely tell her the facts. If she's right, you'll have to find the words to explain what happened.

If she goes all buddy buddy on you, don't be lulled into chatting away in a relaxed way. Let her be friendly, you stay cold but polite, she isn't a mate so don't be one.

Can you just leave sooner? I was shouted at once at work, completely unreasonably. I emailed my boss to tell him I felt ill and left work for the day. The next day I told him I don't come to work to be shouted at.

I left a few months later.