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

[Niceseasidetown]

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.

Whoever it is I'm sure OP wouldn't be so silly as to name them on here!

HR are conducting an "impromptu assessment" of me. Just had the email.

I've had to complete a self assessment form.

Colleagues will be asked to report on me too.

The process isn't scheduled to complete until end of the month....

At least that gives you more time to find another job?!

Jesus Christ. They're really intent on making you jump before they have to push you.

They are cunts; I have so much empathy for you.

aren’t you a consultant? Why are they behaving as though you are an employee?

Maybe ask HR to clarify "Impromptu Assessment".

Keep calm. You have done nothing wrong. This is pressure to try and trip you up.

Look into the legal side, people here have given good advice. This might be another attempt to push you into leaving. I think you deserve support from a legal point of view. My daughter (not the one mentioned before) was bullied into giving up her job. She fought back and won. Please use the advice of people here.

Remember you have done nothing wrong. Just try to keep calm. Trust yourself. Do not say too much to anyone at work, you do not know who is spying for him.

We are all here for you. Sending lots of love.

Thanks everyone.

Yes I have picked up in the last week that they want me to quit. Several things been done to put the pressure on...including an unbelievable post from celeb boss clearly aimed at me describing me as toxic and saying it's a leaders job to remove such people.

For reference he is the ONLY person I don't get on with. I'm not toxic.

Good point that as a non employee the HR review is weird.

I've completed my form. Was diplomatic but honest as to my strengths and weaknesses.

In good news I've been invited to be a guest on a podcast as well as write a column for my industry's leading publication.

So I am getting recognition and that may lead somewhere.

Some results on a big project will come in this week...don't think it will be v successful in analysis but have done best I can.

He has also started going into the social chat space and liking everyone's comments but mine

Hilariously pathetic....

Oh Nice, this is beyond ridiculous. I so hope that you can see it for what it is and it's not affecting you more deeply than it needs to. Great news on the podcast and column - keep on doing these things as it's only going to enhance your reputation and standing.

What a pathetic little man.

Thank you @BreathingDeep

Today I have had new targets set.

Not only are they the wrong targets for the business to grow but impossible to achieve

Using a restaurant chain as an example

I have been tasked with achieving more new customers in the next 6 months than we have had IN THE LAST 10 YEARS

It's just not possible

As a contractor he could just fire me with no reason needed

Instead I feel he wants to watch me fail. Possibly because I'm well regarded he wants me to publicly fail to gain acceptance from others that I am not up to the job...or have me 'admitted im not up to the job and quit

It is ridiculous that there is a new drama he starts every day.

Christ @Niceseasidetown it just gets worse, please tell us its not someone who works in wellbeing ?

He’s such a nasty piece of work isn’t he. If you don’t meet the impossible target it will be all your fault and if by a miracle you do meet the target then it will be all about him. It’s difficult enough working for someone who constantly changes his mind like Captain Chaos let alone working for someone so nasty as him. I really hope you find another opportunity soon so you can leave.

Does he know you’re writing a piece for your industry’s publication and appearing on a podcast. If he doesn’t, make no mention of him in either, that will certainly annoy him!

I handed my notice in yesterday.

The pressure was just too sustained and it was becoming impossible to to the job or accomplish anything. Spending hours each day fighting battles over nonsense accusations.Together with impact on my life....I had reached breaking point.

I handled resigning very well (did not need to speak to Celeb boss).

Will find out today when my last day will be.

It was of course obvious in this conversation that they wanted me out. There was acknowledgement that the role is not what I was hired to do.

I am doubtful the company will be around by Christmas. Sales this last week are 40% down YoY. Celeb's improvement plan is making things worse.

Still working today. Don't feel much sense of relief. The stupidness and nastiness of it all will linger.

It became clear that they were just going to ramp up the gameplaying til I quit. And enough bad things have gone on for me not to want to see quite how far they'd take it.

Again, if you’re truly self employed why aren’t you determining the contract end date??

I guess in the whole saga I'm not bothered so long as I'm out.

Priorities now are to maintain good relationship with guy who would write my reference and just move forward.

They won't want to keep me long.

But you're right the whole contractor thing is a complete scam.

I really feel for whoever gets this job next. Because I can't see anything changing.

You've done the right thing. It will be much easier to find something else when you're not working all hours and can get yourself into a better place mentally.

Good luck!

Thank you @Fallenangelofthenorth

I think so

I am told on a daily basis I am slow, wrong, toxic, have low standards etc etc and although money will be tight I need to get out of that environment to feel positive and confident again

Yesterday final straw was being accused in an all company meeting of making an error which was proof of my low standards.

I pointed out it wasn't an error and that for five years the company had always done this task in this way and provided evidence

Was thrm told after the meeting that I couldn't handle criticism and made a fool of myself by trying to deflect

It's insane.

Well done for biting the bullet and doing what is best for you mentally, even if not financially in the short term. You really sound like a person who has their head screwed on and I'm sure someone much more sensible will snap you up in no time. The relief you will feel when you walk out of there for the last time will be wonderful. I was in a job where I was very unhappy a long time ago (nothing comparable to your situation, but it did effect my health and wellbeing due to the stress). I can't tell you how good it felt to leave. And I've been with the same company for 18 years now and I doubt I will leave before I retire! The only negative repercussion from the old job is that when I am stressed I dream that I am back there!

Well done.
Think de mob happy now.

Thanks everyone. Such a lovely message @Tandia

Still waiting to hear when my last day will be. Celeb boss is on a forest retreat and uncontactable apparently!

Told one of my team and he said "in the year I've been here half the people have left. Why?"

Just had an email from a contact looking to give me some work from September...which isn't far off really!! We will chat soon.

Great news about the job prospect!

@Niceseasidetown Told one of my team and he said "in the year I've been here half the people have left. Why?

Because it’s probably a very toxic environment by the sounds of it, if I were you I would go on glass door in a few months (once you have another job secured) and post an anon review of what it was like being an employee there and the toxic environment , please warn others and the rest of the world 🙏

Last day will be a week on Friday.

They have decided not to hire a replacement for me but will be working "with someone we know".

It's all been quite positive really.
I should get paid for all of June plus 7 days holiday pay.

So July and August I will be OK for money

Pleased for you OP - you will feel such a sense of relief and I look forward to hearing about your success's which will happen in the future - you were badly treated, and I think you did the right thing by taking into your own hands for your own sanity and well being. Fingers crossed you land the best contract ever

Pleased for you Nice. It must be such a relief. You'll shine & grow. I sincerely hope Toxic Twat will fall & take everyone with him.

I'd recommend getting safely into a new job before taking the fiight to him. Try to find a new job, accept it (including signing the contract and make sure any necessary references have been provided by your current employer). Then in your exit interview or post exit date you could raise complaints about celebrity boss. Alternatively you could get signed off with stress and bring a grievance now and there's a reasonable chance your employer will offer you money as part of a settlement requiring you to enter into confidentiality obligations so they can protect the boss. But it may be waring and feel harder to focus on job search with all of that going on.