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My celebrity boss is a lunatic I'm losing the plot

592 replies

Niceseasidetown · 01/05/2023 10:59

My boss is a celebrity in our industry. Think: 100s of 1000s of social media followers, his own podcast...and all the ego that goes with that.

He is also rude (telling people their ideas are fucking shit), a huge micromanager and a bully. Everyone at work says this, not just me. His adoring fans don't see this side of him.

When I took the job he wasn't my boss. He fired my boss publicly saying he wasn't up to the job and now I have to work much more closely with the celebrity boss. My stress and anxiety are through the roof. I am criticised for everything and publicly. Literally not one thing is right (even obvious achievements). I'm mocked and ridiculed. I'm very experienced and well paid and in my 40s. I'm good at my job.

I'm obviously looking for a new job.

Spoke to HR who just sighed and said he is like that. He owns the company.

How do I cope. I feel on the edge of a breakdown. I also have to manage a team who he undermines me in front of.

Literally every hour is miserable and terrifying.

I can't do anything legally or practically. I need emotional coping tips because I am a wreck. I worry what this is doing to my physical as well as mental health.

OP posts:
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Namechange224422 · 26/05/2023 14:35

Good luck with the job hunting.

I’ve been where you are now and hung on thinking if I just behave normally, raise a,b,c professionally; do x,y,z then they’ll recognise this completely normal work thing that is universally understood. It feels like gas lighting where the sand shifts under your feet all the time.

I think that if you find a new job and leave you’ll turn round in a month and wonder why you stayed, why you put up with it. But it’s hard to move on when we’re invested in trying to fix something. But this is not fixable.

tailinthejam · 26/05/2023 21:33

If you are in the UK, have a read up on the HMRC website about what constitutes the difference between being self-employed and being an employee.

Niceseasidetown · 26/05/2023 22:12

@tailinthejam thank you xxxxx

OP posts:
DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 27/05/2023 18:42

He has advertised your job online whilst you are still working there?- Sounds like the definition of Constructive dismissal.

Niceseasidetown · 27/05/2023 18:49

As I've stated multiple times we are all contractors so constructive dismissal is irrelevant.

OP posts:
TheBrokenCracker · 27/05/2023 19:36

Honestly OP? I have commented on your thread as it has developed and at this point would just quit and move on with your life. Short term financial pain sure but unless you’ll be homeless I would take the hit. And I rarely say that. He obviously isn’t going to have a personality transplant and why would he? He is the Big I Am with main character syndrome who gets his kicks from being an arsehole. But your mental health is taking a massive kicking.

if you’re in the U.K. acting as self employed outside IR35 with a non U.K. jurisdiction clause (something I have never seen and would be deeply weird at best) yes you can go down the inside/outside Ir35 and employed/Se analysis and maybe report to HMRC but honestly I would cut your losses and walk away. Move this man and his band of terrified hangers on into your past as fast as you can.

Ellyess · 27/05/2023 19:40

Niceseasidetown I'm so sorry to read how bad it all is. I agree that you'll start to feel much better as soon as you get away from this toxic atmosphere. I am aghast that he can reach you at home as late as 9pm. That is horrible. I had a Boss who used to phone early Sunday mornings, and did not realise it was bullying and abuse until someone else in a very senior position elsewhere found out and was incredibly horrified. It was his reaction that changed a lot for me. I started to realise I deserved to be treated better.
I understand you feel you must stay here till you have another job. I have been in that position. Maybe a temporary job to tide you over would be better than this though? (See later)

For the meantime, I can only suggest do what you've been doing - be emotionally detached, imagine him in an impenetrable bubble in your mind, speak or communicate with him in a semi-patronising way as though you are publicly showing him up, he won't notice, he's got too much self-importance. Keep a list of all he does in case you need to use it at any time. Have you heard of the 'grey rock' method? You can either behave as though you are a completely unfeeling grey rock, unresponsive, boring. But at work I don't advise it, he will turn against you. But you can reverse it and think he is just a grey rock, reacting to him emotionally as though that is what he is, and never let him upset you. He is definitely a narcissist, they are often psychopaths too. I am a retired Psychologist and worked in hospitals and had posts in Universities. But people being tortured (yes it is torture) by a narcissist need mental health support. Those in long-term relationships with a narc will eventually become very mentally ill, they will be broken down by the narcissist. A very bad narc is an expert in mental cruelty. Your boss's behaviour described here is enough for me to know he is one of the bad ones. Listen to Lise LeBlanc's YT talk (below).

I recommend learning about Narcissists and how to deal with them. Most YouTube talks are about being in a relationship with one which is totally different to having a narc boss. So look for 'How to deal with/survive a Narcissist Boss'.
Narcissists have to be the centre of attention, take all the credit, have what they want straight away, never be blamed, always worshipped, they tell lies and have poor memories, use people for what they get out of you. They are vindictive and childish.

I suggest when you want something give them options so they think they are making the decision. It's all about remembering a Narc has to take credit for everything and never be criticised. Have less verbal interaction and document everything. Narcs are relentless and want what they want immediately, very unrestrained and pushy. Try to set boundaries... Don't react when they are abusive they feed off your reactions. Don't be emotional.. before speaking to them calm down, pause, think of what you're saying, disengage, speak softly, [you're learning great life skills!]

I found a few YouTubes on how to survive a Narcissistic Boss, such as There are others, such as where she takes the aspects of the narc and how to respond without it upsetting you. One I liked was to remember that narc's lie! but it might be worth having a look to see if there's a presentation that suits you. Most of them are from America. Americans are in advance of us Brits in acknowledging the need for good, well informed psychological support.

One YouTube I particularly like is: "5 Powerful Tips to Deal With A Narcissistic Boss". by Lise LeBlanc

which seems quite good and sensible. Actually she says some of what I have said to people in Counselling in the past.

Please go to your Doctor and make sure they know the extent of the stress you are under. Make sure they understand the kind of mental abuse you are under and cannot escape and you need help for being a victim of a very nasty narcissist. You are in an extreme situation. This is no ordinary case of a bullying boss. If you try to hold out too long he will damage you and it will be hard to get back to your old self. You need and deserve medical support imho. Plus if you are forced to leave and don't work it might help with applying for a benefit to tide you over. I am not suggesting you would be doing this dishonestly, I sincerely think you are getting depressed and anxious on a clinical scale and need medical help. You deserve it. If someone could offer counselling it would be great. Tell the Doctor you had a meltdown and you have had to phone Samaritans. You are not alone. Bullying at work is one of the biggest reasons people become anxious and depressed.

Lastly, my eldest daughter broke down on the way to work due to the bullying by her incredibly evil narcissist boss. She phoned me and I said just go home and tell them you have 'flu. Then when you feel you can go back, hand in your notice. When she handed in her notice, she had senior people she hardly knew congratulating her. She signed up with a Temping Agency and sometimes earned ridiculous money and was asked to stay on in every job she tempted at. Eventually she found a special and quite famous place which was so lovely she stayed there and settled. She said she should have left the bad job the first week that evil woman treated her like something under her shoe.

Not being bullied by a narcissist is about knowing your own self-worth, setting your boundaries, knowing how you should be treated. But when the narc is your boss, you cannot be assertive in the normal way. However you can leave.

When I worked with a cruel Boss, I wrote a full report about her behaviour and contacted the Area Office. The Inspector came out and made me learn to say "Don't speak to me like that!" He made me repeat it until he was satisfied I was doing it properly! It was my first lesson in assertiveness. My career from thence went upwards. I did another degree and things blossomed.

There is a better world, the real world, out here that will appreciate you. You deserve to be respected, and admired for your qualities which clearly are outstanding. You are not a doormat so don't let him walk on you. It may be that you could find temporary work to tide you over before the right job comes along. Think of Actors, they do all sorts of work while 'resting'.
Sorry this is long, but do put time in to build yourself up.

Thinking of you with lots of love and prayers.

HOW TO WORK WITH A NARCISSISTIC BOSS (Dealing with a Narcissistic Boss)

HOW TO WORK WITH A NARCISSISTIC BOSS (Dealing with a Narcissistic Boss)Coping with a narcissistic boss can be consuming. Between having a gaslighting boss, d...

https://youtu.be/rR3qb5hkymI

ZIEVAR · 27/05/2023 19:49

Absolutley marvelous response. Please take heed. You may not get a reference, far less a good one. Temporary work would enable you to get a series of good references, as well as re-building your self esteem. All the very best of good luck.....Do it now.

Niceseasidetown · 27/05/2023 23:24

Thank you so much @Ellyess for that amazing message.

Today has been so bad. I started drinking at 8am and have felt very very very bad.

I do need medical help. I will watch the videos and will reread your post many times. You absolutely understand. He is changing me as a person and it's all driven by his psychology not the business needs. Thank you so much and to @ZIEVAR

I really really needed this today.

OP posts:
Twobyfour · 28/05/2023 10:08

In my mind, I see you working for a Trump like personality.

Can you see if you can quit, preferably after being paid, and look for temp work.

Itwasgoodwhileitlasted · 28/05/2023 10:26

I'm in a similar position OP. I'm going to watch a YouTube video next week and tips to deal with this. I tried grey rock and it made things worse.

I'm not doing it this weekend because I'm not going to give her headspace on a sunny bank hols though!

Niceseasidetown · 29/05/2023 08:33

Things seem to be coming to a head and I am anticipating getting sacked tomorrow.

My main concern is handling this with as little contact with him as possible and getting monies owed.

I've got jobs to apply for this morning so at least I'll be in the process when it kicks off tomorrow.

OP posts:
Niceseasidetown · 29/05/2023 08:35

His latest LinkedIn post was about mediocre and needy people needing praise at work and how the top 1% of people thrive on criticism.

Aimed at me from context.

As usual hundreds of likes and whooping comments though a couple of people did call him out saying people need both.

OP posts:
Agapornis · 29/05/2023 08:44

Can you unfollow or mute him on LinkedIn? Reading it seems self destructive.

Quitting a shit job with crap personalities has been a massive weight off my shoulders on past occasions, would highly recommend. I know you said you need the money, but this doesn't seem financially secure either.

By all means allow yourself a few days to wallow, but he's not worth more than that, and you're worth so much more.

BuntyFayreweather · 29/05/2023 08:48

Just a quick tip. Check your household insurance for legal cover. It is usually there at about £50k with a helpline.
I have made a constructive dismissal claim in the past and they are always difficult. Find your big girl pants and say as little as possible tomorrow. Keep your dignity and think Bridget Jones. I left a huge £300k job a year ago. It was toxic and I am not sure I wouldn't have ended up hospitalised if I had stayed. Better things are around the corner. Best of luck. X

Niceseasidetown · 29/05/2023 08:52

@Agapornis thats good advice...he's not worth weeks of wallowing.

The LinkedIn thing is a classic case of bullying as he's criticised me for not reading and liking his posts before. So I try to do so and click like....though didn't in this occasion.

Once I leave I don't need to see what he says.

OP posts:
Agapornis · 29/05/2023 09:21

He's bullying you anyway, will not liking them make it that much worse?
He must really be lacking in confidence if a LinkedIn like from you means that much to him.

Niceseasidetown · 29/05/2023 09:26

@Agapornis hahaha...this is where I need the challenge!

I tie myself in knots trying to be who he wants knowing I'll never win.

Yeah I should mute him on LinkedIn.

I run the company Twitter account and can't mute him on that but it's a start.

He is full time looking for validation and starting fights on social media. His persona is like Gordon Ramsay from maybe 10 years back...

Today is making me anxious waiting for tomorrow but I must enjoy it. I'm going out for brunch then to the beach.

OP posts:
Agapornis · 29/05/2023 09:50

Turn off your socials and enjoy doing whatever you fancy - it's the weekend, it's your time not his.
Don't try to be someone you don't even want to be. I tried that in my twenties, but I'm very much myself in my mid thirties and I get far more workplace respect for it.

Agapornis · 29/05/2023 09:51

Btw I'd passive aggressively unlike everything you've previously liked 😎during paid working hours of course

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 29/05/2023 10:26

Niceseasidetown · 27/05/2023 18:49

As I've stated multiple times we are all contractors so constructive dismissal is irrelevant.

Sorry. I remember reading that now, I was just shocked he was advertising your job. Great advice from @Ellyess. Hope you enjoy your brunch today. Hopefully this will soon be over and will be behind you

Niceseasidetown · 29/05/2023 10:29

Thanks everyone!!

Hahaha @Agapornis I love that idea 💡 🤣

OP posts:
SquirrelSoShiny · 29/05/2023 10:47

This Dr Ramanie video about narcissism is good - it's a compilation one really but she's worth watching:

SquirrelSoShiny · 29/05/2023 10:47

Gah Dr Ramani* bloody autocorrect!

Sandra1984 · 30/05/2023 18:54

I had a friend with a celebrity boss like yours, she published his personal mobile phone number on Craigslist rant and rave section with his name and told people to call him and let him know what they thought of him. This drove the boss nuts and eventually had to change his phone number.

Revenge can be a sweet thing.