You know what hurts more than a good romantic relationship gone toxic? A charming work environment turned into a nightmare. Constant one-on-one meetings in the conference room, rejecting your leave applications, stealing your credits, and playing favorites with others – such are some acts that make your boss justify their names. 

We live in a world where a major portion of employees feels sabotaged by their bosses. It is reported by 75% of employees that their bosses sabotage them. So, it looks like you are not alone. The best way to tackle this is to improve your skill, adapt ( not succumb ) and win over the situation. But let’s talk about the problem here. 

How To Tell If Your Boss Is Sabotaging You

There is no better person than you to tell if your boss is sabotaging you. I am only here to relate.

Boss Blames You For His Own Mistakes

Your boss is the founder as well as the leader of your organization. A great  leader takes responsibility for his own mistakes. On the other hand, if your boss refuses to take responsibility for your mistakes or his own mistakes then you have to take care of the facts that chances are there your boss is sabotaging you.

They might bring the past mistakes to bring the focus on them and on to you. You need to take care of the realities in this regard. The boss who starts to blame his employees for their own mistakes gives a clear indication that your boss is sabotaging you.

Your Boss Sucks At Communication

How to tell if your boss is sabotaging you? You can tell from how they communicate. You feel like this guy has never held formal communication with straightforward words. 

• Their emails come off as constant ranting through incomplete words.
• They want something but are unable to express how and what. 
• All you hear in the conference room is yelling, shouting, and intimidating buzzwords with little planning to fulfill a vision. 
• They don’t complete their sentences, and by the time you interpret the situation, you are blamed for poor listening skills. 
• It feels like they want you to read their freaking mind. 

Constant Monitoring: Boss, Or The Eye Of Sauron?

As if the eyes were not enough. Some sabotaging bosses felt so insecure that they started using monitoring software and webcams. This started around the time of the pandemic. Some of them set rules, forcing employees to give frequent employees like controlling daddies. 

If you are still asking how to tell if your boss is sabotaging you, then you should check their eyes and ears. 

• They are always wide awake like the eye of Sauron from Lord Of The Rings. They keep track of all of your little too-big activities. (like smoke breaks or yawning at the desk).
• They cannot stand when your monthly performance is one bar down. 

Now, how to handle such a boss? For starters, never compromise the quality of your work. Also, give them little room for complaint, and empathize with the pressure they put upon you. 

They Belittle Or Make Fun Of You In Front Of Others

So, the session is going on, and you asked a simple question. But you never expected them to laugh about it. The only mistake here was your query was not complicated enough. Oh, I have been there. If you feel like you have turned into the office clown, then you can take for sure that your boss is sabotaging you. 

• The boss assigns you tasks beyond your capability, making you look like a fool in front of everyone.
• They start to make fun of you even during conversations outside work. 

They Don’t Give Feedback, Or Space To Speak Out

Do you feel like you are sensitive or needy of feedback? They call you inside the conference room and leave you with nothing. No, there is no assessment, no feedback, and no explanation. 

All they have to say is, “I am not angry, but disappointed.” They won’t tell you what they are disappointed about. Was it the weekend date? A dead mosquito in the pizza they ordered? Or your performance report. They don’t want to spend words, making you feel like a bad investment. The saddest part is you won’t find an opening to say anything in your favor. 

They Don’t Ask – “How Are You Doing?”

How much does your boss know about you? They know that you are you, your age and that you sleep, eat, and work. That’s just about it. The same goes for your knowing them since they don’t share anything. 

Even though they are in a managerial position, it does not hurt to know how their subordinates are doing. They don’t ask how you are doing, how’s your health ( mental and physical), or if everything is going okay at home. All they talk about is work, like robots. They are just like Grinch with a human face. 

They love to wear the Koh-E-Noor of professionalism by being indifferent to the personal life of their employees. It is a clear sign that your boss is sabotaging you. 

Your Ideas Get Sabotaged 

You took time out of your work to work on the new idea you had. You readied a presentation, and after days and weeks of nagging, they let you pitch your plan only to shoot it down – how does that feel? I know exactly how it feels. It feels like your boss is sabotaging you. 

They do it during a one-on-one meeting or during the meeting. They just want to make you and your ideas feel useless. Not accepting some ideas is alright. But, if this is happening regularly, you should know the meaning.

You Are Set Up To Fail

Most of the time it seems like you show up to the work there will always be fire to put out. You may be assigned to some of the impossible tasks that your boss knows very well that you cannot complete.

You need to take care of the reality while you want to reach your goals with a complete process that can make things easier and effective for attaining your business goals. You need to stay vigilant when your boss starts to make your life difficult in the organization.

You Are Not Invited To The Meeting

You are working at your desk. Your boss calls John, Brad, Samantha, Cynthia, and Kylie to the conference room without giving you any notice. Yes, you have left out the Team Leaders’ meeting once again. 

It is clear that you need to be in the conference room with them, and you have every right to. But, somehow, they want to leave you out of the picture. They don’t want your contribution. They don’t encourage your ideas, and you are isolated. Do you really want any more signs after this?

Who Eats The Fruit Of Your Hard Labor? Credit Snatchers 

You planned the whole project, came out with the idea to generate more revenue for the business, and succeeded. But, when the time of appreciation came, no clap for you in the house. Like you don’t even exist. They put their name in the project report. On top of that, you are not even in the project. 

This leads to making you feel unappreciated, then frustrated. I know what you are thinking right now. “Should I through the resignation letter at their face?”

Goody Two Shoes Boss Plays Favorite

Have you ever wondered why Kamila got the better project but not you? Even when your overall performance was better than hers, she gets invited to dinner. But your boss does not even put up a post of appreciation on the company wall. Clearly, he’s playing favorites. Wait, is he hitting on her? 

All of your hard work and achievements don’t get little appreciation when a little of their favorite excites them, like Gollum possessing the ring( LOTR again). 

This Is The Third Time In A Month They Threatened To Fire You

“You do this or you will lose your job.” “Do as I say or I will fire you.” They force you to do what they want by constantly threatening to fire you, and this is a notable way that your manager creates an offensive work environment. If you are still not convinced that your boss is sabotaging you, I don’t know what will make you understand. It is a clear sign that your boss does not respect you.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Here are some more questions that you might be asking. I have provided an answer to make it less difficult for you. 

Conclusion 

How to tell if your boss is sabotaging you? There could be multiple signs telling you that your boss is sabotaging you. A bad work environment and harsh treatment at every step of your work are some prominent signs. You should not look for signs once you read this article. 

Did you find this piece relatable? I would really love to hear what harsh situation you are going through. Please reach down to us in the comment below. I will try to answer and do more than sympathize.

Read More:

• How To Tell Your Boss You’re Quitting
• Signs Your Boss Likes You But Is Hiding It
• What Is an Operating Agreement: Does Your Business Need One?