Skip to main content
Stanley Bing

Help! My boss is nuts

In their own words, Stanleybing.com readers talk about the bullies, narcissists and other crazy bosses they spend their working days with.

A reader from Arkansas writes:

My boss is the bully boss. She is always accusing me of insane things, gets a real high out of reprimanding me for things that either haven't even happened or they are so ridiculously minor that you would think she would have enough sense to not even mention.

The first time she publicly yelled at me it felt like someone had just kicked me in the stomach, and like I couldn't get enough air. While she was yelling at me I suddenly felt weak and leaned against a desk... then loud enough for everyone in their cubicles to hear she yelled "get off that desk." Immediately I jumped up...but she just kept yelling the same thing as if she had an audience she was playing to.

She can be accusatory one minute, and then tell me everything is just fine the next. It changes all the time. She looks to be about 75 or 80 with a real chip on her shoulder. Everyone else just gives her chocolate and treats her like she's boss of the year. It's just not in my personality to be such a fake. Because of her I'm thinking of changing careers because I know when I leave she'll be all too thrilled to trash me to anyone who'll listen. Any advice on how to leave this job and maintain some type of dignity? I know she'll want to cause a huge scene.
Last updated August 20 2008: 4:45 PM ET
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17


Fortune's Stanley Bing shares his take on the five types of crazy bosses, and some strategies for dealing with one, from "Crazy Bosses" (Harper Collins). (more)
Is your boss heading for a self-made disaster? Scared of his own shadow? Just plain weird? Share your insane workplace story. We'll post it on our site and invite other readers to comment. (more)
ExecutricksThe central question of every hardworking person's career is how to work less hard while still being able to buy an expensive bottle of wine without trembling. The answer is simple: Retire while still working! (more)
* : Time reflects local markets trading time.† - Intraday data delayed 15 minutes for Nasdaq, and 20 minutes for other exchanges.• Disclaimer