I love my job but my manager is totally unsupportive

[RedskyThisNight]

I work in a job that I love and am good at, with great colleagues. However, my manager is awful and it's grinding me down.
Essentially, my manager is only interested making himself look good to management above him - he has zero interest in his staff except when he wants them to do something; he expects staff just to get on with things and not bother him, which doesn't work when something has to be escalated. I've ended up picking a lot of extra work to cover things that aren't being done, because my manager won't do anything about it and I'm not of the sort of mentality that I will not do them and let things go wrong. Naturally I don't get any thanks or recognition for this.
I've stuck the job out on the basis that things might get better but not sure I can do it much longer. But leaving an otherwise amazing job because my manager is useless feels like the wrong move.

any thoughts? It's no good raising it with higher management - they all think he is great.

Been there OP. The only way to change this is to leave in my opinion. Your manager will not change.

I agree with DarlingCoffee, people don't change especially when everyone else think he is great. Don't your company have anonymous employee survey? Mind you, if your team is small, may be it's obvious who said what.

I too love my job but my manager is a misogynist - there are plenty in my field, since I am the only female in my team no one is going to fight with me.

He might never change! Tricky dynamic.

You say you’ve picked up extra stuff. Is this contributing to him looking good to those above him? What if you just didn’t do it?

Or is there a way to make it clear to the leaders that you are going above and beyond?

You could just stop doing the extra stuff, but I appreciate if you love your job you might feel it needs to be done.

Gosh Op are you in my team? My manager is exactly as how you described!

He is very charismatic, can do no wrong to the point that I am constantly second-guessing myself whether am I asking too much from him.

Since i started this job he has barely giving me any constructive feedback/direction. Consider myself lucky if he replies any any of my email. I had spotted and corrected so many mistakes that have been authorised by him. When I managed to claw back any compensation from the customers he managed to put it down to luck instead of praising my negotiation/communication skills.

I just chalk it up to my experience and resume skills. My patience, tolerance and loyalty are diminishing as days go by.

Now I understand why the staff turnover is so high in his department.

I’m in a similar situation. I’ve decided to try and look for something else but it won’t be easy.

I’ve promised to find myself a job where I am at least recognised as a hard worker as currently it’s so cliquey it’s unreal.

Sorry to hear this one of the trickiest situations to be in.

My boss originally worked for us many years ago (made redundant), he has since returned. Feels he can do no wrong because the business wanted him to return. (Reason: - new CEO liked him, worked with him before - OLD CEO removed him)

Between his original leave date and returning - I was promoted to take over the full running of department, had an amazing manager - mentor - we turned it around. But I was burned out - so when they suggested bringing someone into support, I was relieved and took the help.

Two years later, I realise how bad it was, sarcasm, continuous email overload and everything is a crisis. Sees no reason to have 1-1, development or team meetings. Comment is we will have a team meeting once COVID has disappeared.

I am fortunate since I built greater relationships with other senior management, and CEO. Upon his return, they transited me into a project management role that I really. I still report into him- I just don't enjoy him as my manager. I somehow work around this, takes a lot of willpower.

If you work well or good terms with other Senior Managers - why not ask talk to them? Could there be other opportunities within the company? Sell your skill set - just don't make it personal.

Good Luck for 2022 x