Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

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:
Thread gallery
10
whatausername · 29/06/2023 13:44

Niceseasidetown · 28/06/2023 23:13

Thanks @Tandia

Everyone knows what he is like. The vast majority of bullying has been public.

They know.

I'm scared about it honestly. I'm doubtful of my ability to lie. They record the call.

My line is "that's a very reasonable question but I haven't thought about it until now. Nothing is popping in my head as an immediate answer". Maybe that is a bit crap

Good luck, you're nearly out of there!

GCWorkNightmare · 29/06/2023 13:44

Contractors don’t get paid leave. 🤯

WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS ARRANGEMENT??

Original poster
Niceseasidetown · 29/06/2023 13:48

Haha I know. Basically the contractor thing is a tax avoidance scheme for the company...yet another good reason to get out

OP posts:
DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 29/06/2023 13:49

Well Done OP!.. Flawless in fact.

homelovingalme · 29/06/2023 14:40

LittleMissViolet · 29/06/2023 11:49

Just jumping on to say that I worked for someone very similar. Big multi-millionaire celeb who is regularly on TV. He nearly broke me but ultimately I did stand up to him and handed my notice in with nothing to go to. Another (better) job miraculously appeared.

Just because someone is successful, rich and powerful does not mean they can treat you however they like. I can take a certain amount of bad behaviour but there comes a point when someone becomes a complete and utter twat. You have to value yourself enough to know when enough is enough.

I look back on that time and pat myself on the back for dealing with it so well and standing up to him. It's easy for people to tell you to do that but harder in reality. You'll look back on this period and laugh. I do. I also shout at the telly each time I see his smug face! 😂

Initials please!! 😂

Redshoeblueshoe · 29/06/2023 14:43

Well done

tailinthejam · 29/06/2023 14:44

Niceseasidetown · 29/06/2023 13:48

Haha I know. Basically the contractor thing is a tax avoidance scheme for the company...yet another good reason to get out

Yeah, and they know you know. Which is why they came back to you and said they'd pay you the leave owed after all.

By the way, it is evasion, not avoidance.

homelovingalme · 29/06/2023 14:45

Niceseasidetown · 29/06/2023 13:43

So many comments!!! I've read some will read ALL after work. Thanks for all the advice.

In the end I was constructively truthful. I didn't dwell on the individual....as others have pointed out his behaviour is well known...but did give feedback as to the impossibility of working with zero budget and zero autonomy in what is meant to be a department head role.

After the exit interview they told me they won't be paying me leave owed.

As some might remember I have intentionally taken no leave (also no sick days) in 3.5 months so that I would have some small cushion.

I then said, ok then I'm logging off now and I'll take today and tomorrow as leave. It's not all I'm owed but I may as well.

Within 10 minutes I got an offer to pay me 2/3 of my leave.

I said OK but I'm not happy

5 minutes later they agreed to pay the full leave.

Why? Well. I took a leaf put of celeb boss' book. In the last couple of months I've picked up an extra 1k followers on social media, a lot of them are his connections.

I didn't even hint at posting about the leave on social, but I was thinking it and I think that is why they backed down.

Girls is playas too!!!!!🤣🤣

I've got a strange feeling something is going to happen tomorrow. I will tell you if so.....it would be a brilliant end to the book @Ellyess says I should write if it happens!!

Meanwhile several people are trying to get me bits of consulting work plus remember I'm a contractor? Well my accountant says I've not been paying myself enough so one way or another I don't think I'll starve for at least 2.5 months.....

I was suicidal genuinely when I started this thread. Look at me now. It is all because of you amazing, amazing guys. Putting up with all my moaning and advising me xxxxx

Wow, result! Well done you! 👏

martinisforeveryone · 29/06/2023 15:04

homelovingalme · 29/06/2023 14:40

Initials please!! 😂

Show quote history

If it's someone very, very tall, I've heard first hand of similar.

Tandia · 29/06/2023 21:07

Niceseasidetown · 29/06/2023 13:43

So many comments!!! I've read some will read ALL after work. Thanks for all the advice.

In the end I was constructively truthful. I didn't dwell on the individual....as others have pointed out his behaviour is well known...but did give feedback as to the impossibility of working with zero budget and zero autonomy in what is meant to be a department head role.

After the exit interview they told me they won't be paying me leave owed.

As some might remember I have intentionally taken no leave (also no sick days) in 3.5 months so that I would have some small cushion.

I then said, ok then I'm logging off now and I'll take today and tomorrow as leave. It's not all I'm owed but I may as well.

Within 10 minutes I got an offer to pay me 2/3 of my leave.

I said OK but I'm not happy

5 minutes later they agreed to pay the full leave.

Why? Well. I took a leaf put of celeb boss' book. In the last couple of months I've picked up an extra 1k followers on social media, a lot of them are his connections.

I didn't even hint at posting about the leave on social, but I was thinking it and I think that is why they backed down.

Girls is playas too!!!!!🤣🤣

I've got a strange feeling something is going to happen tomorrow. I will tell you if so.....it would be a brilliant end to the book @Ellyess says I should write if it happens!!

Meanwhile several people are trying to get me bits of consulting work plus remember I'm a contractor? Well my accountant says I've not been paying myself enough so one way or another I don't think I'll starve for at least 2.5 months.....

I was suicidal genuinely when I started this thread. Look at me now. It is all because of you amazing, amazing guys. Putting up with all my moaning and advising me xxxxx

This is amazing news and even though I don't know you I feel proud of you for standing up to them and getting at least some of what you deserve. They have shot themselves in the foot in letting you go instead of giving him the boot! Do write the book and let us know where to buy it!

Oh, and tailinthejam is spot on - it is tax evasion and that is a criminal act, subject to money laundering regulations and some pretty hefty fines! Plus, they are an American company, and look what happened to Al Capone!

squillionth · 29/06/2023 21:54

Brilliant update OP!

Fallenangelofthenorth · 30/06/2023 07:59

Brilliant update!

Hope you're last day goes smoothly. Have you got plans to celebrate this evening?

Original poster
Niceseasidetown · 30/06/2023 08:46

Thanks @Fallenangelofthenorth

I'm going to a friend's for wine in the garden.

OP posts:
Jaichangecentfoisdenom · 30/06/2023 09:52

Niceseasidetown · 30/06/2023 08:46

Thanks @Fallenangelofthenorth

I'm going to a friend's for wine in the garden.

Great stuff, just think of the relief you will finally feel as you relax and let the stress go this evening! Well done on getting yourself through this and out the other side intact!
I also once worked for a "celebrity", in the Eighties. He was a self-aggrandising, egotistical, narcissist. Made a good living out of promoting himself back then, I dread to think what would have happened had he had access to present-day social media Grin I had to be at his beck and call 24 hours a day, as his dogsbody PA, as he couldn't stand his own company, so if there was no one else around to feed his ego, I had to have "working" meals with him (the job was abroad, so I lived in). Absolute nightmare, but I got to go to New York for the first time, so that was a plus!

iwantavuvezela · 30/06/2023 10:52

OP - I will drink a glass of wine tonight in my garden and cheer you on - I hope you update us soon to let us know of fabulous new opportunities that come your way, which you deserve. I had one boss who made my life miserable through micro managing me into leaving- I can still remember that feeling of leaving and being free of him and realising that i would never let myself get into that position again. To happier days ahead

Ellyess · 30/06/2023 11:17

I am thinking of you today Niceseasidetown

Congratulate yourself on your immense achievement.
Remember to ask for help if ever you need it.

God Bless you. You have achieved what very few people manage to do.
Think about writing that book! You already have a lot of the material for it here. I think it would be received with huge acclaim. Look at how many people here have been through something similar to this.

It's time to reveal these Bully-Bosses. OK you must not name him. Write a novel, or simply do what you have done here and change names.
Do consider what legal redress you are entitled to. This is certainly constructive dismissal in my humble opinion.

I would still use the help of your Doctor. Get all the support you can. Do not feel you are alone.
Sending you lots of love, Elle. 💐

Original poster
Niceseasidetown · 30/06/2023 12:06

Thank you so much @Ellyess

I am bawling my eyes out.

Really struggling today.

Had such nice messages from colleagues.

Onky employee in this country so there is no cake.

I think if open a bottle of wine around 3 only I have to drive to my friend's!!

Will need to speak to non celeb boss later I'm sure and try not to blub!!

Thanks to everyone who has posted the last two days. It has been a great support.

So much work to do and I can't focus! Determined to execute this last planning document well!

OP posts:
ZIEVAR · 30/06/2023 13:23

BRILLIANT!!!!!

weirdoboelady · 30/06/2023 14:11

Just a recommendation - don't drink before you drive to yr friend's, even though it's only a short way. Use the time saved to leave work earlier x

GCWorkNightmare · 30/06/2023 14:17

Ellyess · 30/06/2023 11:17

I am thinking of you today Niceseasidetown

Congratulate yourself on your immense achievement.
Remember to ask for help if ever you need it.

God Bless you. You have achieved what very few people manage to do.
Think about writing that book! You already have a lot of the material for it here. I think it would be received with huge acclaim. Look at how many people here have been through something similar to this.

It's time to reveal these Bully-Bosses. OK you must not name him. Write a novel, or simply do what you have done here and change names.
Do consider what legal redress you are entitled to. This is certainly constructive dismissal in my humble opinion.

I would still use the help of your Doctor. Get all the support you can. Do not feel you are alone.
Sending you lots of love, Elle. 💐

The OP would have to establish that she was an employee to and have worked for at least 24 months on that basis to claim constructive dismissal.

Best to draw the line then report the tax evasion.

BuntyFayreweather · 30/06/2023 14:55

Good luck. Wake up tomorrow knowing you're free.

AliceOlive · 01/07/2023 12:31

I think it might be difficult Re: tax evasion because they are employing someone from another country but are Texas based. I don’t think employment law extends to those outside the US.

Maybe UK would try to do something but if he has no established presence there would they bother?

I was a contractor about 25 years ago when my company was made to hire me because the law changed with respect to who you could label a contractor. Happened with Microsoft around the same time, IIRC, also.

AliceOlive · 01/07/2023 12:32

(I was US based).

squillionth · 01/07/2023 13:16

Are you finally FREE OP?!