To tell my boss I am unhappy at work and the reasons why?

[DaisyBug]

Would this be a bad move, do you think? Honestly, am at the point of moving on if certain things do not change within the next couple of months.

hmmm, keep schtum until you at least know there are other jobs out there?

Depends.

If it is 'I am unhappy due to inefficiency in the workplace and we can improve it by x, y and z'...

Will go down a lot better than

'I am unhappy because I have to work hard and feel you are a massive tool'

Iyswim?

Before you do, you need to work out how indispensable you are. If you walked/were sacked tomorrow, how quickly could he/she get an adequate replacement? If fairly quickly, wait until you have a new job to go to, and a good reference, and then let rip.

I am unhappy because I feel bullied by my manager and as if my best just isn't good enough for him. I have reached the point where my emotional and physical health are being affected to such an extent, that I would seriously be prepared to leave even without anything else in the pipeline.

I think it really depends on what you think his reaction is going to be and how you are going to word it. A good manager will be upset to hear you are upset, and will want to work through the issues and help to make things right - especially if you are valued.

How realistic are these changes that you want.....are we talking you want the sky painted red instead kind of changes or something a little easier to accomplish. Do you have some ideas as to how you could bring about these changes?

It's only a bad move if you go in all guns blazing and being utterly unrealistic. You need to show you have thought this through and why these issues are causing you to be unhappy. Then you need to show you are being proactive in offering a solution. Your boss may (or may not) already have a few ideas, but a good manager shoudl welcome your input.

well i wouldn't say what you've said here but there's no harm in saying that you are unclear about your current objectives and expectations of you and could you agree some written short-term goals in writing for review in a month or so?

Is it something that your boss would be able to change? It's not worth saying anything if there is nothing that can be done.

If you feel your work is up to standard and is of the same quality as that of your colleagues, you have every right to stick up for yourself. If you are doing your best but it still isn't as good as what others at a simelar level would be able to produce, then you might be better off saying nothing if you need the job.

I agree that there is nothing wrong with asking for aclear explanation of your objectives and what is expected of you.

I'd address the line manager element first. Keep a record of what you're being asked to do, what you actually did and what feedback you got. Be assertive (think how they are in 'The Apprentice' board room) and stand your ground if the manager claims you aren't doing the job properly. Copy any e-mails to/from your manager to the boss so that they've got a paper-trail showing that you are competent and putting in the work. Next time you are being specifically bullied, tell the manager that you'll be making a written complaint to your boss and then follow through.