What To Do When Your Boss Targets You In These 10 Situations

Targeting someone can cause a lot of problems in the workplace. It can make you feel isolated, anxious, and stressed. Thus, identify what to do when your boss targets you and get out of his hell.

A targeted person is usually perceived as a threat to the boss.

3 Things To Do When Your Boss Targets You

The boss may feel threatened by your skills, experience, or even your personality.

If you’re the target of your boss’s hostility, it’s essential to stay calm and collected.

Here are a few things you can do to deal with the situation:

1. Identify And Make A Solid Case:

The first thing you need to do is identify the behavior. Is your boss constantly criticizing you in front of others?

Is he assigning you all the tasks that no one else wants to do? Or, is he micromanaging your every move? Or is he just generally unpleasant to be around?

Once you’ve identified the behavior, start keeping a log of incidents. Whatever the behavior may be, you need to be able to document it.

Keep a journal of every instance where you feel targeted. Include the date, time, and location of each incident. 

If there are witnesses, make sure to get their names and contact information. This will be important if you need to take further action.

2. Talk To Your Boss:

Once you have a solid case, it’s time to talk to your boss about the situation. It’s possible that he’s not aware of how his behavior affects you.

Be calm and respectful when you approach him. Avoid getting defensive or accusatory.

State the facts and explain how his behavior impacts your work performance.

You can start with, “I’ve noticed that you’ve been yelling at me in front of others. This is making me feel very uncomfortable and stressed. 

I’d appreciate it if you would stop doing that.” 

Or “I’ve noticed that you always assign me the tasks that no one else wants to do. I’m not sure why you’re doing this, but it’s causing me stress. 

Can we please talk about this?” 

If your boss is receptive to your concerns, then you may be able to resolve the issue simply by talking to him.

However, if he’s not receptive or continues the behavior after you’ve talked to him, you may need to take further action.

3. Talk To HR:

If your boss is unresponsive or unwilling to change his behavior, you may need to take things up with HR.

Before you do anything, make sure that you have a solid case against your boss. Schedule a meeting with an HR representative and explain the situation.

You can say, “I’ve been having some problems with my boss. Although I’ve tried talking to him about it, but he’s not receptive to my concerns. 

I have a feeling that this is going to continue to be a problem. Can you help me figure out what my next steps should be?”

Make sure to bring your documentation with you. This will help support your case.

HR will likely investigate the matter and take appropriate action. They may speak to your boss and put him on probation.

In some cases, they may even recommend that he be fired. However, that’s usually only reserved for the most severe cases.

Dealing With 10 Specific Situations Of Getting Targeted

Let’s find some specific examples where your boss targets you and how to handle it:

1. Your Boss Yells At You In Front Of Others Often:

If your boss is constantly yelling at you in front of others, it can be humiliating and frustrating. You may feel like you can’t do anything right.

It’s important to stay calm and collected in these situations. The best thing you can do is simply apologize and try to move on.

This will diffuse the situation and show your boss that you’re not letting his behavior get to you.

2. Your Boss Asks You To Do All The Unwanted Tasks:

If your boss always assigns you tasks that no one else wants to do, it can be not very pleasant. You may feel like you’re being punished for something.

The best thing you can do is take on the tasks with a positive attitude. 

Show your boss that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

However, you can also talk to him about it. Let him know that you’re not happy with the situation and see if he’s willing to change it.

3. Your Boss Is Constantly Micromanaging You:

Micromanagement is one of the most frustrating things a boss can do. You may feel like you’re not being trusted to do your job correctly.

The best thing you can do is stay calm and collected. It’s important to remember that your boss is just trying to do his job.

You can also try to take on a more proactive approach. This means that you take the initiative and do things before they ask you to.

This will show your boss that you’re capable and that he can trust you to get the job done.

4. Your Boss Is Always Finding Fault With Your Work:

Finding fault with your work can be very discouraging. You may feel like you’re not good enough.

The best thing you can do is take the criticism in stride. Use it as motivation to do better next time.

You can also try to talk to your boss about it. Let him know that you’re trying your best and see if he’s willing to give you some constructive feedback. 

5. Your Boss Is Withholding Important Information From You:

If your boss is withholding important information from you, it can make it challenging to do your job correctly.

You may feel like you’re in the dark. It would help if you tried to talk to your boss about it.

Let him know that you need the information to do your job correctly.

If he refuses to give it to you, you may need to take things up with HR.

6. He Gives You The Silent Treatment:

The silent treatment is a passive-aggressive approach bosses use to control their employees.

If your boss gives you the silent treatment, it can be very frustrating and confusing.

It gives way to isolation and ignorance. However, your boss might be mad at you, or he might be trying to get you to quit.

Find the reason behind it and then address the issue.

7. He Plays Favorites:

If your boss is playing favorites, it can be not very encouraging. This is mistreatment of your rights.

Some motivation to handle it is to stay positive and not let it get to you. Remember that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. 

Try to be the best you can be, and don’t let favoritism get in your work.

8. He’s Always Making Negative Comments:

Often negative comments can make you feel bad about yourself and your work. If this is a regular occurrence, it can damage your self-esteem. 

Try to ignore the comments and don’t let them get to you. Focus on the positive things that your boss says.

If the negative comments are constant, you may need to talk to HR.

9. He’s Threatening To Fire You:

If your boss constantly threatens to fire you, it can be a very stressful situation. 

You may feel like you’re not doing your job correctly or about to lose your job.

The best thing you can do is stay calm and work on your weaknesses.

Let your boss know that you’re trying your best. And see if he’s willing to give you some constructive feedback.

Try to find a way to improve your work so that your boss won’t have any reason to fire you.

10. He Takes Credit For Your Ideas:

When someone takes credit for your ideas, you may feel like you’re not getting recognition.

It can be very frustrating and discouraging. The best thing you can do is stay calm and collected.

You can also try to talk to your boss about it. Let him know that you came up with the idea and see if he’s willing to give you credit.

Understanding Your Boss’s Psychology

Now that you know the different things that your boss might be doing to control you, it’s essential to understand why he’s doing it.

There are a few different reasons why bosses might act this way.

1. He’s Trying To Test Your Limits:

One reason why your boss might be trying to control you is that he’s testing your limits.

He wants to see how much he can push you before you break.

This is a common tactic that bosses use to control their employees.

Employees, however, need to be aware of this and not let their boss push them too far.

2. He’s Trying To Get You To Quit:

Another reason your boss might be trying to control you because he wants you to quit.

He makes your working life so complicated that you eventually give up and leave. 

This is a harmful tactic that bosses use to get rid of their employees.

Employees need to be aware of this and not let their boss control them to the point where they quit their job.

Conclusion:

If your boss is constantly trying to target you, it can be challenging.

First, try to understand why your boss is doing it. Then talk to him about it and see if you can work together to improve the situation.

And finally, remember that you are in control of your own life. And it would help if you never let your boss control you to the point where it’s harmful to you.

Last Updated on 9 months by Shahzaib Arshad