My boss is picking on me and can't figure out why?

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18 Comments

Me: a woman in her 20s.
Boss: a woman in her early 70s.

99% of the time I don't make a mistake. I wish it were 100% but we all make mistakes. I notice the other people make mistakes way more than me but when I make one, she's all on my back about it.

Mistake one:
Leaving a post-it note on her desk that was orange instead of the standard yellow.

BOSS: "Kate, I need to show you something, come here"
ME: "Sure, what?"
BOSS: "Well I noticed you left me this post it note on my desk but I find it really strange because it's orange. I don't appreciate orange because it confuses me and makes me think it's not for me. I thought you would have realized this by now that we use yellow around here, not kid colors"
ME: "I'm sorry I'll make sure to use only yellow from now on"
BOSS: shakes head at me

Mistake two:
BOSS: "Kate, we need to have a little talk, can you step into another room with me?"
ME: "Sure"
BOSS: "Kate I noticed you left a note on my desk but you spelt their name completely wrong. It's not two P's, it's one P. I know this client well and I don't know why you wrote down two Ps. This is extremely careless of you and it offends me."
ME: " I apologize. When I was on the phone with them I could have sworn they said two P's and it looked right so I apologize. I'll make sure to always ask twice but our connection was also bad"
BOSS: "I don't need excuses, I need less carelessness."

And she has said many other things like don't wear heels that are more than 2 inches because they don't belong here (I only wear 3 inch heels, not like I'm wearing 7 inches), you left two extra post-it notes behind the note, you left a paper in the copy machine and I had to take time out of my day to place it on your desk (my desk is two feet from the copy machine), you left your bracelet in the bathroom, you need to be less careless, less careless, less careless....

What is this? Is it normal? She also says it with a very NASTY tone.

Voting Results
16% Normal
Based on 32 votes (5 yes)
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Comments ( 18 )
  • BlackyHancock
    8 years ago | pl

    Your boss is awful.

    Look for another job if you have to.

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  • Lonely2
    8 years ago

    Just constantly make snide under the radar comment about her old....orange?, oh I just thought it would be easier to see...2 p's ?...I wanted to accent the p so to help you pronounce it correctly...you know like phonics...heels? I just wanted to make sure you could hear me walking, etc.....and when shes really a nasty b just add stuff like I saw on the science channel that we lose our ability to distinguish colors, sounds, speech, etc as we age

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  • Ellenna
    8 years ago

    She's a nutcase who's taken a dislike to you for some reason. If she's the boss of the business you can't do much about it except leave but if there are people above her I'd suggest recording her behaviour and reporting her further up the hierarchy.

    I'd be looking for another job if I were you, but this could be difficult if you need a reference from her.

    Alternatively, if you can manage it, you could laugh appreciatively at every ridiculous statement and thank her effusively each time.

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  • (s)aint
    8 years ago

    She sounds like a bitch. It´s probably something about you that irks her.
    I´d confront her and ask her what the deal is "Hey, I´m sorry if this is entirely wrong but I am under the impression that you seem to dislike me and I can´t recall what I might have done, apologies if I have offended you"
    Hopefully she´ll feel ashamed because of this.

    If this fails, poop on her desk.

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    • donteatstuffoffthesidewalk
      8 years ago

      then everyonell see it

      trick is to poop IN her desk

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  • donteatstuffoffthesidewalk
    8 years ago

    start bein as annoyin as possible

    sounds like an easy task

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  • KingTermite
    8 years ago

    She's just bitter because she's going to die soon. If you'd like you can help her get there a little sooner.

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  • charli.m's_Constant_Period
    8 years ago

    Attitude is everything. And, she is damaging yours. Update your resume. Try to find another job within your company, before you start your job search.

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  • rogidez
    8 years ago

    Your boss is 70, she won't be around for long. Perhaps you should smile at her with tolerance and tell her you understand she is doing her best to help you move ahead in your career and when you take her place she can rest easy that her job is in good hands.

    Simple

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  • blu4sho
    8 years ago

    Are you asking if your boss is behaving in a normal way? No she is not. You should report her, but not until you've found a better, or less stressful job, and can be out of there. Leave the reporting till the last day, and get an order notarized for strict confidentiality included--that is if you want to report her.

    She is abusive.

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    • Ellenna
      8 years ago

      Where are you suggesting OP report her boss? It's the boss herself who's the problem

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  • RoseIsabella
    8 years ago

    Poop in her soup

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  • Steven Glansberg
    8 years ago

    We need to assume she has good intentions first. She is probably just trying to instill in you a mindset of being very detail oriented for the job. Its obviously had an effect on you so it may be working. By pointing out these little mistakes you are going to be much more aware of things you do in the office. That may be her goal.

    Or, she could just be a cranky old bag who doesnt like you.

    If you dont like it, find a new job

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    • DADNSCAL
      8 years ago

      Well said. I agree. Get out of that toxic environment before she damages you.

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  • thegypsysailor
    8 years ago

    Using the wrong color post it, OMG! Your poor confused boss.
    I mean you can't even use the correct color post it and YOU think she's outta line? What are employees coming to these days?

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  • Catch-a-ride
    8 years ago

    Shove a stack of orange post it's down her throat or slam her head in the copier or something. What a bitch.

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  • john_the_american
    8 years ago

    Women are stupid

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  • jr__
    8 years ago

    Beware she loves you. Any pretext to get you into her office.

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