We spend a large majority of our time at work, and although not everyone absolutely loves their job you still want it to be a place where you feel comfortable and appreciated. Having a rude and disrespectful boss can create a toxic work environment for you and your coworkers, and add stress to your daily life.
Your boss is essentially in charge of whether or not you have employment, so you can’t exactly tell them off as you might with a friend. A rude boss is a delicate situation, if you aren’t sure how to handle yours here are a few tips.
Confront the Behavior In Person
Individuals who are rude are selfish and inconsiderate, and when you let the behavior continue without saying anything, it gives your boss unspoken permission to continue acting this way. It is your job to set the tone for how you want to be treated by others, even with your boss. You can ask to speak with your boss in private about what is making you uncomfortable or address it the next time they say something rude.
Communicate Via Email
Depending on the personality of your boss and the culture of your workplace, you may find that sending an email is a more effective option for communicating how you feel. Additionally, email provides a written record of your conversation, so if your boss is rude in the scenario as well you will have proof of it.
When communicating with your boss whether it is by email or in person, you want to make sure you are clear and concise when getting to your point. As much as it might make you feel better, snarky comments are not likely to be very productive, so stick to just the facts.
Lead by Example
Have you ever heard the saying, “treat others the way you want to be treated”? How about “kill them with kindness”? While these phrases may be cliche, there is a lot of truth to them. If you are dealing with someone that is rude, you shouldn’t stoop to their level and be rude back. Instead, it is best to remain kind and calm whenever you interact with them or anyone else. How you treat other people can have a genuine impact on how they treat you, and you don’t want to contribute to the negativity in your office.
Roni Davis is a writer, blogger, and legal assistant operating out of the greater Philadelphia area