Signs of a toxic relationship with a boss

Most professionals have worked under good bosses, bad bosses and everything in between. However, there are a few habits that form between some leaders and their employees that can be unhealthy and unfair. Here are 5 signs you’re in a toxic relationship with your boss.

– –

Your boss micromanages you

Communication between coworkers and managers is healthy but when your boss requests consistent updates on your progress and makes attempts to control your every move, it is a sign your relationship may be toxic.

They call you during your time off

Just because they may not shut off doesn’t mean you don’t deserve time away from the office. If your manager consistently contacts you during your holidays or outside of working hours, it shows a lack of respect for your time.

Your boss picks favourites

Your manager is human which means they will naturally favour some employees over others based on performance or personality but treating them any different than others because of personal bias is unprofessional. When it becomes clear or obvious to employees that some of their colleagues receive more perks than others, it can be manipulative and unfair.

They are quick to blame but slow to express gratitude

A workplace culture built on fear and blame rather than reward and gratitude is both toxic and counterproductive. Managers that lead through trust and encouragement will see more success than running a company built on blame culture.

Your boss makes promises they don’t keep

Whether its a promise of a promotion that always seems just out of reach, a raise that never seems to materialise or employee perks you have yet to experience, when a boss overpromises it shows a lack of respect and a great deal of untrustworthiness. An employee that cannot trust their boss is often one in a toxic professional relationship. Consider getting promises in written form such as an email or take notes during meetings and ask your boss to sign off on them.

Learn more about the signs of a bad manager with our eBook Psychopathic Leadership here.