WomenCo.

Help!! I have the worst boss I have ever had to date.  While this boss is a female, I don't think her gender has anything to do with her qualifications.  I do however feel she is the type of woman to give the rest of us a bad name.  I have always been a tomboy, and rarely have problems joing the boys club.  I am very direct and to the point, but am able to do so in a tactful manner.  I first met my boss when I got a promotion to a new department at work.  I immeadiately got a long with my new boss.  He was a the type of boss who expected a lot of everyone and frowned on the whiners.  I gave everything I had and was happy to do so because he was the type of boss that worked as hard as you did.  If I had a problem, he was more than willing to help as long as I asked with out whinning.  My current boss was also working for the same man at the time.  They however had a rocky relationship.  She was known for trying to manipulate people to get what she wanted.  She often cried to get her way.  She went as far as pretending she was going to committ suicide in the womens restroom.  She has a number of scars on both arms where she has tried this tactic many times.  Having been around many people in the mental health field, I was assured that her behavior indicated she was not serious in her attempts.  My point is that she is mentally unstable.  In addition, it is widely accepted that she got her promotion (making her my new boss) because of sexual favors. Needless to say she does not like me.   

My question is this.....how do I get a long with this woman for the sake of my career?  The men who liked and respected me b/c of my nonsense ways of getting work done used to despise here.  Know they are getting caught in here web.  While I still have some pull with them, she has been gaining power with her manipulative tactics.  How do I deal with her?

stgreg11 says ...

More importantly, why is this woman in a managerial position? Mental illness is treatable, but there is no excuse for using manipulation in the workplace.

I would document everything my boss says and does in case she bad mouths you. Can you change to a different department? If not, stay clear of her tirades and do your job as usual. Make sure you are not alone with her. If there is a disagreement, fellow employees will be a witness to her behavior.

I agree - especially documenting everything -- and making sure you aren't alone with her.  Perhaps she'll quickly move up or -- perhaps you'll be able to transfer into a different depart.  It's been my experience there's no winning w/someone like this -- so mind your p's and q's!