Understanding Why Does My Boss Treat Me Differently – 8 Reason

Why does my boss treat me differently? Maybe you’re new or have different tasks than others.

It could also be they don’t like you much. If you feel treated unfairly, it’s important to talk about it.

Key Takeaways:

1. Newbie vs. Experienced: You might be treated differently because you’re new. You have different tasks than others.
2. Speak Up if Unfair: Don’t suffer in silence, talk to your boss if you feel they’re treating you unfairly.
3. Different Doesn’t Always Mean Bad: Sometimes, getting different treatment can be good. It’s like getting more chances to learn and grow.
4. Bad stuff at work? Don’t let them ignore you, control you too much, or keep you from getting ahead. It can bring you down.
5. Speak up! If you think it’s unfair, talk to your boss and ask why. Tell them you deserve better. If it doesn’t get better, talk to HR or find a new job.
6. Why is this happening? Before you do anything, try to figure out why you’re treated differently. Knowing this will help you fix it.

8 Possibilities Why My Boss Treats Me Differently

There are a few possible explanations for why my boss treats me differently than others.

It’s important to remember that everyone is different, including your boss. They may have their reasons for the way they act around you.

1. You’re Newer To The Job:

If you’re new to your job, your boss may still take some time to know you.

They’re probably trying to see how you work and if you’re a good fit for the job.

Just focus on doing your best and showing them what you can do!

Sometimes, it takes a little while for a boss to warm up to a new employee.

2. You Have Different Responsibilities:

Your boss might treat you differently than others because:

• You have different responsibilities. You do more important tasks, so your boss expects more from you and checks in more often.
• They see you as important to the company. This could be because you have special skills or knowledge.

Additionally, if you have a leadership role, you may need to interact with your boss more often. This also affects how they treat you.

3. Your Boss Doesn’t Like You:

Your manager might not be your biggest fan. This could be due to your behavior or something you said.

If they don’t like you, they might be harsher on your work or make things tougher for you.

Unfortunately, not much is in your control here. Be polite and professional, but you can’t force them to like you.

But ultimately, it’s up to your boss whether or not they want to like you.

4. They Are Mistreating You:

Different treatment at work can mean:

• Not getting promoted even though you deserve it.
• Getting more work than others, or being treated rudely.

If your boss treats you differently because of your race, religion, gender, or anything else, that’s not okay. Talk to your boss about it first.

They might not even realize they’re treating you unfairly.

If things don’t improve after talking to your boss, talk to the Human Resources department (HR). They can help.

5. They Are Treating You Differently Because Of Your Performance:

Your boss might treat you differently than others at work. This could be good or bad, depending on how you’re doing.

Doing well? Your boss might see you as a valuable team player and give you more challenging work or chances to learn.

Not doing well? Your boss might criticize you more or give you less responsibility.

If you feel like you’re being treated unfairly because of your work, talk to your boss. They might have different expectations for you than for others.

6. You Have A Strong Reference:

Having a good word from someone your boss knows (reference) can change how they treat you. They wouldn’t want to make the person who gave the reference upset by treating you badly.

This might mean they’re easier on you or give you more chances, which can be good and bad.

It is beneficial as you will have more chances to improve and learn.

But the bad part is you might feel too safe and not work as hard as you should, since things seem easy.

7. You Threaten Their Job:

You do well at work. This might make your boss feel nervous.

Bosses sometimes worry about losing their job to someone who does great work, especially if both of you are managers.

If your boss feels nervous, they might make it harder for you to move up in the company or make your job tougher.

They might not give you as many chances to show what you can do.

8. You’re In A Power Struggle:

You and your boss are in a power struggle, if you both want the same thing. This can happen if your boss feels like you might take their job.

If that happens, your boss might:

• Boss you around more: They might tell you exactly what to do all the time.
• Make your work harder: They might give you difficult tasks to make you fail.

If you think this is happening, try talking to your boss about it.

When Is Different Treatment Beneficial?

Sometimes, different treatments can be a good thing.

1. Advancement In Career:

Getting extra work can be good for your job.

It shows your boss trusts you, which could mean a promotion or other chances to move up later.

This is a good thing as it means you’re on the right track for advancement in your career.

2. More Chances To Prove Yourself:

More chances from your boss? They think you’re awesome! This means:

• You get to show how great you are at your job.
• Your boss is willing to invest in you and your development.
• They’ll give you ways to get even better!

3. Higher Standards:

If your boss has higher standards for you, he thinks you’re capable of meeting them.

This is a good thing as it means you have the potential to meet and exceed his expectations.

It also means that he has faith in your abilities. Moreover, it may motivate you to work harder to meet his standards.

4. More Support:

If your boss is more supportive of you, he’s invested in your success.

• They’ll help you out: You can count on them for advice and support.
• They’ll help you grow: They’ll give you chances to learn and advance.
• They’ll be there for you: They’ll understand and offer help and guidance when things get tough.

5. Differentiation:

Being different can be a good thing at work. It helps you stand out and get recognized for your unique skills and contributions.

This can lead to more opportunities to show what you can do. This could help you get promoted or receive other benefits in the future.

When Is Different Treatment A Bad Thing?

While different treatments can sometimes be a good thing, they can also be harmful.

1. They Pass You Over:

If you’re not chosen for chances at work, you might feel like your boss doesn’t like your work.

This can make you feel bad about yourself and stuck in your job.

You might also feel like your efforts aren’t noticed or valued, which could lead you to quit the job.

2. They Are Micromanaging You:

If your boss is checking your work and telling you exactly how to do things, it means they don’t trust you to do your job well.

This can make you feel frustrated and annoyed.

Lots of arguments between bosses and employees happen because the boss is micromanaging.

In the end, this micromanaging can make you feel like you can’t do your best work and restricted in your career.

3. They Ignore You:

If they ignore you, your boss doesn’t think you’re important.

Feeling ignored can make you lonely and isolated. You might even feel unseen and unimportant at work.

This can make you feel like your work doesn’t matter, which can lead to unhappiness and a lack of growth in your career.

4. You’re Being Set Up To Fail:

Boss not confident in you: When your boss sets you up to fail, it usually means they don’t think you can succeed.

Feeling bad at work: This can make you feel insecure and unsure of yourself. It might even make you doubt your skills and abilities.

Plus, it can make you feel unmotivated at work, which is no fun.

Take Action – Stand Up For Yourself

If you think they are mistreating you, it’s essential to take action.

1. Talk To Your Boss:

The first step is to talk to your boss. If they passed you over for opportunities, try to find out why.

• If they haven’t given you chances to grow, ask why.
• If they control your every move, ask for more trust.
• If they ignore you, tell them how it makes you feel.

Talk openly with your boss and try to see things from their perspective.

Your boss seems to be treating you differently than others. Is there a reason for this?

Think about:

• Your work: Have you been meeting expectations lately?
• Your behavior: Has there been a change in your attitude or work style?
• Other things: Could something else be going on that you don’t know about?

It’s important to understand why this is happening. That way, you can address it and hopefully improve the situation.

3. Stand Up For Yourself:

If your boss treats you unfairly, speak up!

Tell them how you feel. Be firm if they ignore you or try to avoid the issue.

Make it clear you won’t accept unfair treatment. If they still don’t listen, you might need to take other steps.

4. Take Further Action:

If you’re being treated badly at work, it’s important to take action. Talking to HR or even quitting your job are options, but only as a last resort.

Before taking any steps, gather evidence. Keep a record of every time you experience mistreatment.

This will strengthen your case and make it more likely you’ll get a fair outcome.

Conclusion:

Your boss might treat you differently for several reasons. It’s good or bad depending on why.

Maybe your boss thinks you need more help or aren’t ready for big tasks yet.

It’s also possible they are giving you extra challenges to help you grow.

If you feel treated unfairly, talk to your boss and ask why things are different. This will help you understand the situation and maybe fix any problems.

Last Updated on 9 months by Shahzaib Arshad