A boss from hell is often a major factor for chasing staff away from any organization. In today's context in which organizations are focusing on retaining their key talent, bad bosses can stain the reputation of a company and lead to resignations.

The mean boss

The mean boss does not bother to value you as an employee nor give you clear briefs on job tasks. When you commit mistakes, you risk being reprimanded in front of everyone publicly. They will frequently criticize your work, telling you that it's bad without a legitimate explanation.

The abusive dictator

Miranda Priestly's character in The Devil Wears Prada embodies how an abusive dictator behaves at work. Your opinions as an employee are not appreciated and you simply do as you are told. There is no room for constructive feedback even if you have any potentially handy contributions. The boss is the boss, and that's that. Abuse constitutes both physical and psychological torture. So an abusive boss could hurt you physically by throwing objects at you or mentally by shouting at you.

The bootlicker

This is the boss who tries to claim credit for anything that is positive - even if the work is not their own - and tells upper management what they want to hear, even if it means concealing the truth. Sometimes this could mean hiding actual figures even when the company is struggling and potentially lead to the downfall of the organization.

How to deal with them

A leopard does not change its spots and people do not often change their characters overnight. Even if you manage to give honest feedback to your boss or human resources, it may not change their behavior immediately.

Taking revenge might be counterproductive. After all, your boss is in a higher position and his or her words will wield more weight if the matter gets escalated to upper management or the human resources department.

If the abusive behavior gets out of control and you suffer any physical harm, it is a clear sign that you should leave. There is no use putting yourself at the risk of suffering further. No job is worth you undergoing endless torture, or risking your mental and physical health.

When a situation escalates, you will need actual proof to substantiate your claim. This means having witnesses who are willing to testify for you. Actual records of abusive behavior with photos or video recordings are sufficient. Keep a log of emails that are threatening and abusive in case you need to stand up your claim.

When all else fails in countering the boss from hell, make a graceful exit. Ensure that you submit a written resignation, thanking the company, and remain professional when planning your exit.

(Contact gaoyuan@chinadaily.com.cn for questions and career advice.)

Robert Walters Talent Consulting Ltd China.

(China Daily 02/28/2012 page14)