Can I tell my micromanaging boss to back off?

 

By Gred Giangrande

My boss micromanages me. I thought it had something to do with trusting, but she is always praising me and saying how well I do my job. Is it worth risking offending her if I bring this to her attention, or should I just grin and bear it since she seems happy with my work?

You grin and bear your mother-in-law making a snide remark, if you want to keep your spouse happy. You may be able to grin and bear an isolated or infrequent work incident. But if you have to grin and bear your (wait for it) overbearing boss, you are likely to explode one day over a minor innocuous comment that could make you a viral sensation. Feedback works both ways.

It’s not offensive or inappropriate for you to professionally discuss how you do your best work, which includes being given a little more latitude to do your thing and keep your boss apprised as necessary. I’d add that if you fail to deliver, or if you fail to prevent surprise, however, then her standing over your proverbial shoulder is completely understandable.

Human resources sucks. HR people suck. HR people pretend to be for the employee, but they’re really for management. Where can an employee turn when they want to make a complaint about HR?

Mom, I thought I told you not to write to me at work!? OK, settle down, no need for name-calling. Do you appreciate the irony that you hate HR and turn to me, an HR executive, for advice? Do I show up to your work and heckle you? Hey, you’re a jerk electrician. Hey, Uber Eats idiots, you always get my order wrong! Now, I do admit that there are some in the HR profession who do seem to engender very strong negative reactions in employees.

However, that typically occurs after an employee is told, “I am sorry, but we have to let you go.” As to who is holding HR accountable, it’s to whom the function reports, for one. You can also make your case to the legal department or directly to the CEO, but it’s best not to burn your bridges with HR, if possible. They’re often the first and last department you encounter on your way in and out of the company.