This article was co-authored by Julia Yacoob, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Dr. Julia Yacoob is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist practicing in New York City. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for adults coping with a variety of symptoms and life stressors. Dr. Yacoob earned an MS and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers University, and pursued specialized training at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Institute for Behavior Therapy, and Bellevue Hospital Cancer Center. Dr. Yacoob is a member of the American Psychological Association, Women’s Mental Health Consortium, NYC Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Association, and Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies.
There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Do you feel like you just can’t ever get ahead in the workplace? And your boss, the person who is supposed to help lead and guide you through it, feels more like a burden than a help. While it might seem like it’s outside the realm of possibility, there is a chance that your boss isn’t just bad—they could be actively trying to sabotage you so you never advance your career. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and preserve your sanity as you get out from under a toxic boss. To learn more about the signs of sabotage and what your boss’s motivations might be, read on.
Things You Should Know
- Your boss might be sabotaging you if you don’t get adequate training or if your boss treats you worse than your coworkers.
- They might also be sabotaging you if they undermine your authority or blame you for their mistakes.
- If you feel like you’re being sabotaged, document all of your boss’s actions, then contact your HR department or a supervisor.
Steps
What to Do If You’re Being Sabotaged
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Document everything that happens. If you have proof of your boss’s actions, you’re much more likely to get them to stop. Save every email and text message that you can, and try to talk to witnesses who have seen your boss harassing you. Compile all of your documentation in case you need to use it later on as you deal with an abusive boss.[16]
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Speak to a higher-up or human resources. If your workplace has an HR department, start there. If not, approach a supervisor or someone in charge of your boss. Bring all of your documentation and let them know what your boss has been doing to see if you can reach a solution.[17]
- If you don’t have any evidence of your boss’s actions, it will probably be your word against theirs. Try to bring in some coworkers who have seen the harassment so they can back you up.
- If your higher-ups don’t take you seriously, it’s time to talk to an attorney. A licensed attorney will take a look at your case to see if you have concrete evidence of your boss’s actions.
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Ask to transfer to a new area in the workplace. It’s likely that you want to get away from your boss, but you don’t have to leave your job entirely. Talk to HR or another supervisor about working in a different department that your boss isn’t in charge of. That way, you can still keep your job, but you won’t have to deal with a toxic boss anymore.[18]
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Take time off if you need to. Dealing with a boss who sabotages you is tough, and you’re probably very tired. If you have any PTO or vacation time, consider taking a few days to rest up and recover.[19]
- Consider talking to a therapist or psychologist during your time off. Dealing with a bad boss like this is stressful, and talking to a professional can help you work through your emotions.
- If you can’t take time off, practice self care before and after work. Do at least 1 activity per day that soothes and relaxes you so you come back to work feeling calm and refreshed.
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Look for a new job as a last resort. If you’ve tried to transfer or get your boss in trouble and nothing has changed, your workplace might be the problem (not just your boss). Update your resume and start looking for new jobs, because you deserve to feel safe and happy in the workplace.[20]
Expert Q&A
Tips
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If your boss is threatening you, consult a lawyer. You may be able to sue your boss and/or your workplace.[21]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-relations/pages/sabotage-at-work-.aspx
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2016/06/13/five-ways-sneaky-managers-sabotage-top-performers/?sh=4d3501bd4591
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/heidilynnekurter/2021/08/19/4-useful-tips-for-when-your-boss-is-sabotaging-your-career-growth/?sh=7c445cc73c86
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/heidilynnekurter/2021/08/19/4-useful-tips-for-when-your-boss-is-sabotaging-your-career-growth/?sh=7c445cc73c86
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2020/11/ask-an-expert-what-should-i-do-if-my-boss-is-gaslighting-me
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2018/01/01/no-i-wont-take-the-blame-for-my-managers-mistakes/?sh=14c221d9357f
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2016/06/13/five-ways-sneaky-managers-sabotage-top-performers/?sh=4d3501bd4591
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/heidilynnekurter/2021/08/19/4-useful-tips-for-when-your-boss-is-sabotaging-your-career-growth/?sh=7c445cc73c86
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/heidilynnekurter/2021/08/19/4-useful-tips-for-when-your-boss-is-sabotaging-your-career-growth/?sh=7c445cc73c86
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2016/06/13/five-ways-sneaky-managers-sabotage-top-performers/?sh=4d3501bd4591
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2018/12/what-to-do-if-you-think-your-boss-is-shutting-you-out
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2016/06/13/five-ways-sneaky-managers-sabotage-top-performers/?sh=4d3501bd4591
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2016/06/13/five-ways-sneaky-managers-sabotage-top-performers/?sh=4d3501bd4591
- ↑ https://www.eeoc.gov/harassment
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2017/11/what-to-do-when-work-stress-literally-makes-you-sick
- ↑ https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/discrimination-at-work/discrimination-at-work/checking-if-its-discrimination/if-youre-being-harassed-or-bullied-at-work/
- ↑ https://www.eeoc.gov/harassment
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2017/09/22/bad-boss-how-to-move-to-a-different-leader-without-leaving-the-company/?sh=2efdd2453f9e
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2018/09/what-to-do-when-you-have-a-bad-boss
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2018/09/what-to-do-when-you-have-a-bad-boss
- ↑ https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/discrimination-at-work/discrimination-at-work/checking-if-its-discrimination/if-youre-being-harassed-or-bullied-at-work/