To say to my boss during a team meeting that his speech was unprofessional

[MeghannCleary]

Without being too outing I am in a support function similar to Compliance in a financial services company and my Boss is not British so I don't know if the culture difference plays a role but he often talks flippantly of people being 'fired' in this or that department when I know at least a few of them left to join elsewhere for a better pay and better work culture

Anyway, at a team meeting today, he spent TWO HOURS (ran over into lunch time and beyond and my blood sugar had plummeted) telling us how easily we could be fired (about ten people in the team/meeting) for the 'low quality reports' we produced and how he was sick of it.

The only concrete e.g. he could give re the reports was a name or two wrong in the 'to send to' list - that still didn't make it clear to us why he takes weeks sometimes months to review and finalize these reports.

I was biting my cheek to stay wordless and calm - the others on the team mostly men were so calm I wondered if they were watching anime on another screen or just asleep with eyes open. Wish I could have done the same

Had some sort of meltdown where I went into a fugue state I reckon and saying it was really stressful to all of us when he bantered casually about us being fired or threw the word around flippantly for TWO HOURS. Surely a person who is being 'fired' in Corporate Britain at least from what I have seen, is dismissed in private and with dignity ? We are educated professionals not schoolkids.... I think I said as much and more

Waiting in state of high anxiety now for some sort of axe to fall. WWYD? start looking for another Job? Damn me and my big mouth

So you didn't shout, swear, insult or interrupt him. You were asked for your feedback on a specific issue and gave it clearly and directly. HR can't touch you for that, and nor should they wish to.

Depending which national border we're looking at, he may well be from a culture far more comfortable with plain speaking than the British. So there's a possibility this may actually improve your working relationship.

IMO, you're being extremely unprofessional.

A senior management leader can speak how they want about operations and you disagreeing, or agreeing, bears no relevance on the reality of who holds the authority.

You are very naïve if you think senior management views you as you view yourself. Be glad that someone is transparent enough to tell you.

There is nothing dignified about termination of employment in corporate Britain.

I've seen people leave after screaming matches, in glass offices, crying, rage, etc.

Your exposure sounds limited, so don't be shocked if things happen in front of you, or to you, in future.

Sounds like you were very professional and he is a mess. Does he have any idea of what he is doing?

do you have any links to his boss? Can you get a meeting with someone higher or sideways in the company who might advise?

I’m in the nhs and we’re in a permanent state for job loss fear. It’s said nicely but we all know what “difficult decisions” means. Permanently fearing job loss is probably why people have no commitment anymore. I can cope better now as I’d receive a substantial pay out due to service. I keep my head down in those meetings though.

He is Belgian

So he has just ignored me today, not responded to a teams message I sent on the work I am doing today either, although that has happened once or twice in the past two years without a sinister reason

I dunno......

I don't think you did or said anything wrong at all. I work in finance too and banks tend to be places robust discussions are allowed?

Either way - bull by the horns - get a one to one in with him (just put it in his diary) and address head on, that you were aware he may have been a bit surprised by your comments on the team meeting and did he want to discuss further. If he's upset he can have a chance to say so and you can have a chance to apologize for hurting his feelings (not for what you said!)

Better than just waiting to be sacked right. Asking for structured feedback should not be a sackable offense.

I don't think it's good or normal practice to threaten a team with being sacked almost casually. And I've worked in very cutthroat places where it was absolutely clear what would happen if your performance wasn't up to scratch. Even then there would be formal processes where people would be given feedback and a chance to improve in a proper way.

Doesn't matter what we think when subordinate. Now OP regrets life choices and is worried for her job. Common sense would have helped before the tantrum.

Sounds like a scene out of that series "Industry".