Boss speaks to me like crap (all on WhatsApp)

[Remmy123]

I work as a PA part-time my boss has recently started to WhatsApp me (as we work from home we do message on WhatsApp plus face to face meetings etc)

he is so rude calling me sloppy / accusing me of forgetting tasks that i have not forgotten, telling me I am not taking my job seriously, that he is getting fed up with it.

i always have an answer for him and I am always right because I never forget anything. It's a pretty straight forward role.

another example is I do not start work until 10am but he will message me before that time and ask why I am not online.

expects me to be available outside of working hours. very demanding even though I am on the lower end of the pay scale by quite a bit.

my question is, what can I do about the way he speaks to me (always on text!) when there is no HR function? He is the CEO of his own company.

he messaged me this Saturday morning being really shitty with me - I don't work Saturdays!!!

I am leaving soon but I don't want him to think this bully boy behaviour is ok!!

Thanks so much

I'd report to HR. Also temp block him at weekends, personally I'd not have him on my phone, unless it's a work phone in which case just turn itv off til you work

She has just said there is no HR!

I would be looking around for other jobs ASAP. I would mute calls and messages outside of working hours. He sounds absolutely bloody awful!

She just said there is no HR.
I would respond as briefly and calmly as possible but only to direct questions so.
why aren’t you online? - I start at 10
you aren’t online - nothing
And look for another job

I missed it as was skim reading

Don't look at the messages until your working hours start. On what's app you can also turn off the option that tells people you are online and have seen messages.

Look for another job in which you don't have to work for a prick.

When you say you are leaving soon, is it imminent, i.e. have you actually handed your notice in?

I am leaving soon but I don't want him to think this bully boy behaviour is ok!!

Being as you're leaving, could you just inform him of your working hours and that you are not paid to be at his beck and call 24/7? Also remind him that you are not his 'verbal' punchbag!

If it's a work phone, turn it off during all non-working time.

I'd reply with a professional OOO message:
Remmy is inavailable now. Remmy's working hours are 10 - 4. For anything urgent please contact arsehole boss on xxxxxxxxxx'

*unavailable not inavailable

Thanks all

sometimes he makes me feel like I'm going mad.

i am very direct with him and I do tend to stick up for myself but falls on deaf ears

I have a face to face tomorrow and I really want to bring up the way he talks to me but worried I'll get all mumbled as I feel very wound up

he expects me to be available outside of my hours because 'that's the nature of the role as PA to a CEO' it's a joke.

My notice period is 60 long days
I am going to hand it in and hope I'll get something in 60 days

I wouldn't have him on WhatsApp. Email only so it is all documented

Push back, firmly, every time.

Treat him like a bratty 8 year old because emotionally that’s what he is.

‘Hi Jeremy, as you know I start work at 10, I’m now going to spend 15 mins slotting your requests into my existing action points and then I’ll run todays priorities past you. Please be patient till then.’ Etc

It will help massively to think of him as a child. No he won’t here you, but this way you don’t really hear him.

And absolutely hand that notice in. Any trouble join a union or talk to citizens advice

Thanks v much good advice

and yes that is exactly what he is like, a bratty kid.

If that's the nature of a CEO's PA's role then the pay should reflect that. Is it a salary or paid per hour?

@goldfinchonthelawn yes exactly this - he pays me per hour and it's around £5-10 per hour less than going rate because I asked x3 agencies then approached him asking for a pay rise.

he have me an extra £1 per hour 😬

he didn't even get me a Christmas card

Block him outside of your working hours.

"You aren't paying me for a PA role, that's is £x per hour"

Is this a work phone or do you have to use your personal phone?

It's a work phone

it actually ruined my Saturday because he was so rude about a very minor issue relating to his Ferrari 🤦‍♀️

last week he sent a shifty message because I accidentally got him the wrong type of salad (I've been doing his food shop whist chef is in holiday)

Only have it turned on in your working hours?

He's clearly not short of money and used to treating people like shit. Hand in your notice and keep on repeating ad nauseam "my working hours are...", "as mentioned before xxx", "I'll continue this conversation by email after I log in"

How long have you been there? Just wondering if it hasn't been that long could you line up something else and just quit with no notice? You could leave him off your cv and say you went travelling or something.