Do Not Insert Foot When Opening Your Mouth to the Boss — Just Leave

My boss treated me unfairly again and I have difficulty putting it behind me.

I work for an international fast food giant as the secretary for the Area Manager who is a female. I have been working for her for 4 years now and overall she is the best boss I have ever worked for but every now and then she comes down on me like a ton of bricks. We are the only 2 in the admin office and because I work exclusively for and with her, I do not have a lot to do with the restaurant, etc., though the restaurant managers and I have good relations. When I started working there, the previous girl said I won’t last 8 months as the Boss never gives any job appraisal and are very strict. She likes things done her way and whatever she says goes. I don’t have a problem with that. My boss has a very stressed and fast paced job and I try to make it easier on her. We share a lot and normally get along well.

We are not allowed to get leave over the Christmas holidays and I knew it but I asked her if I could have 3 days between Christmas and New year as my sister whom I haven’t seen in 2 years would be visiting. My boss was kind enough to give me the 3 days off. I was very thankful and showed my appreciation. When I returned to work on 3 January I was in great spirits but when the Boss walked in everything changed. She gave me a lashing about everything that wasn’t done before I went on leave. I was stunned as everything was done as she told me but I didn’t say anything in my defense. The next day I did my work as usual. She came in and asked me what I was doing. I told her what I was busy with and then she started again. She accused me of not following orders etc. I was really upset but kept quiet. The day after that she was her normal self but I was so hurt that I couldn’t go on as if nothing have happened. One of the Restaurant Managers told me that my Boss was angry that I wasn’t there over the season time and she then had to cope on her own. But why did she then give me the 3 days leave? She could have said no and I would have been at work.

I waited for her to apologize to me but she never did and most probably never will and I don’t know what to do. I feel like resigning. Friday the 20th I did a real stupid thing which I now regret. I talked to one of the restaurant managers about my fall out with the boss and I said a lot of things. I also asked the Manager to explain to me how to do one of the tasks which my Boss gave me to do as I won’t ask her how to do it. My Boss found out and she was furious and for the first time since I work there I back chatted and my Boss then reprimanded me which made me feel even more angry and hurt. I just don’t know how to handle the situation. Please advise.

The Team Doc Says…

This one is really easy. You have an abusive boss and it’s time to leave. Start looking for another job right now. No one deserves to be treated poorly no matter what the excuse is. If you stay, plan on being totally miserable. Get another job now.