Being belittled by line manager - how to handle it?

[TrainAway]

I work in a global team my line manager is on mat leave so I have been reporting to two line managers in NYC.

One is great, been at the company a long long time and is generally a good manager, some micro managing issues and conflict avoidance but miles better than other managers in the past. The second is relatively new (6 months) and he has been awful from the start. At first really disinterested in me and the team of 4 who are all in the same level as me. Now he's hyper interested to the point of now spending 30mins on a call with me to deal with my 'tone' because I sent him an email he didn't like. It's madness. I was reduced to tears on a call because he doesn't like my email style. I have no idea how to move my relationship forward with him.

Thankfully my old manager is coming back in 2 months but I can't see her getting on with him at all. The other people that seem to like him are the other manager and big boss. 1 person in the team has left, 1 is about to give notice and the rest of us are constantly considering our options. It's not all his fault but largely his attitude and 'management style' are at play. I need to stay until next May but realistically I would leave asap if I could.

There is no progression in my area so I'm not worried about being held back I know progression will come from moving to a different company at some point.

I agree that the U.S./UK view and attitude about work, seniority and communication style is very different. I didn't expect that when I started my role. I can't wait for my old manager to come back off mat leave and I can go back to reporting to someone in the UK again. It will give me a break for a bit.

Thanks train unfortunately it's why I've been awake since 4. It's unfortunate, ours is a UK company but the bit I work in is run from the US and the culture is just awful (don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this is the case with all US companies, just the people at the top in our bit).

Fewer women than in the rest of the business, flashy sales prizes that are only made in male-specific versions, shouting and swearing at people fairly common place. Great fun...

Again sorry to hear that miles. I'm awake all night too. ( just 'saw' you in another thread as well)

It a tough thing to challenge when physically the people responsible are on the other side of an ocean. My situation probably isn't sustainable in the long term, depends on the returning manager. While I'm addressing some of the tone/email raised I'm planning my exit.

For you is there some way to address through Diversity and inclusion policies? Companies can be hot on this issue sometimes.

Sorry Train didn't mean to hijack! Yep, that's the route I'm following at the moment but also looking for an escape route.

I think your approach of making the effort to fix it while looking for an out is a very pragmatic one (it's disappointing though isn't it?).

Could you do an internal move away from the US line mgt?

I'm hoping to do an internal move once back from maternity leave... If I do, one of the things I will specifically look for is management from Europe . Don't care which country, just not the USA.

My boss's best line last year was 'Christmas is not a holiday in Europe, so I expect your team to cover operations fully.'

Good to know about the c drive ... (Deletes folder...) all ours are backed up on an external server anyway so should be there.

I am dreading going back to work.

So Train and Hubble (love the name) sounds like we need a support thread for coping strategies...

Well I'm going up get pregnant again as soon as I possibly can but I realise that's not a strategy that works for everyone...

Haha Hubble. Nope won't work for me unfortunately but I've got a feeling my old manager will come back and do that.

There really no option internal option for me as my niche is very much a "all roads lead to Rome (NYC)" situation. I'm a bit like you Miles I won't work for another US company if I have to report directly to the US

I just googled and found this interesting article:
[www.uk.businessinsider.com/leadership-styles-around-the-world-2013-12] which may explain a bit why your boss is the way they are. Or he may just be a w*nker regardless of heritage.

I used to work for a US company in the UK as well. Thankfully most of the bosses were British but someone did a rotation to US and said that car park was full at 6am in the morning and they were expected to put in 12-14 hr days with no overtime, so I think they can be more demanding and because we had UK holiday allowance I got the impression that some of the US bosses thought we were lazy.

It is a pain working for a bad boss, I've had one recently and it was just annoying. I had my mid year review and was scored average at something I'd previously been scored highly at. I asked what I should be doing differently or more of to get back to my previous score and was told that it was very subjective, dependant on others performance and he couldn't tell me. Felt hugely motivated after that - I'll just randomly go off and do something and hope it's the right thing then shall I?

Perhaps he likes to feel he is making improvements. You could try agreeing vigorously with everything he says and thanking him for his input. He could be someone who likes a lot of positive stroking. Hopefully this will encourage him to think he has improved you enough to allow him to move on to someone else.

The us work ethic baffles me to.be frank. It's no wonder they gave rise to the biggest counter cultural movements. 12-14 hour days! Where's your actual life in that?

I'm coming back to this thread because everyone in my life is tired of hearing me talk about this.

Because of my line manager another manager (who doesn't report to him) has quit their job!! She told our head that the reason she was leaving for an internal move was because of him, and the head does nothing. It's all too dysfunctional to handle. I feel like screaming in frustration most days.

I'm applying for roles but it's a niche field and only 1 suitable full time permanent role has come up in 6 months. I applied and heard nothing back. It's a tough market out here.

Sorry should have said but I was the OP.