I like my job but hate my boss. What do I do?

Do you like your job, but dislike your boss?

You may like your role, the hours, the pay, your coworkers, your employer, but you still dread going to work because you hate your manager. Many of us have been there.

Maybe your boss looks down on you, maybe they treat you unfairly, maybe they are miserable and negative, or maybe they make you do more than others in the same position.

Dealing with a difficult manager every day can leave you feeling fed up, stressed, and emotionally and mentally exhausted. You may be asking yourself: Should I stay in this job and deal with it, or should I just leave?

It’s a deeply personal decision. On one hand, it’s always an option to leave a job completely if that’s what’s right for you. At the same time, it’s important to know all your options before you do, especially if you enjoy your current job.

If you enjoy your job, but hate your boss, one option may be to change jobs internally.

I want to try switching jobs internally

“I don’t know if I leave my job if I’ll find another one I like so much,
but I don’t think I can stand another week working for this person.”

Switching jobs in the same company or organization can be a way to keep some of the things you like—coworkers, your work, pay, hours, commute, etc.—while also getting yourself out of a challenging manager situation.

Maybe this means you work different hours than your current manager, or maybe it means asking to transfer to another team, branch, or store. It may take some creative thinking, but if you work for a medium to large employer, chances are good there are options besides quitting or staying miserable, especially if there are parts of your job you do enjoy.

If you’d like support exploring options, Empower Work peer counselors can help you do just that (we connect with people thinking through these kind of challenges every day!).

What if my manager retaliates and tries to sabotage my transfer?

“They even are making internal transfer difficult for me by intentionally giving me bad reviews.”

Perhaps you’ve already come up with a solution for keeping your job and maneuvering away from your manager. Yet, you’re worried that your boss will make your life hard.

It’s normal to be worried if you’ve had a difficult relationship with your manager. Sometimes they may want to part ways too and it’s a mutual parting. But there is the unfortunate possibility that your manager may try to block you transferring elsewhere in the organization.

How can you be ready for this? Cover your bases. Think of good bosses/managers you have had in the past, and see if they would write you a recommendation. Have at least one on hand when you are speaking with HR or the other branch management.

Ensuring you have your own source of positive reviews of you and your work can help outweigh whatever is thrown your way. Anticipating the arguments your current boss might make, and thinking of ways to address their concerns can also help you make the strongest case.

But won’t I feel guilty switching jobs? What will my coworkers think?

“I am scared that my co-workers will look at me like I am a traitor and I abandoned them.”

Guilt is a totally normal feeling to have when leaving a job. Guilt often shows you care, you’re invested, and that’s positive! But, guilt can keep people in positions longer than they should be there—the guilt of leaving their co-workers behind, the feeling like the work they do won’t get done without them there.

The bottom line: it’s ok to do what you need for you. You are the best advocate for yourself.

Great coworkers will understand that and support you. And if your manager is as bad as you think they are—bad enough to make you consider leaving—chances are good that others feel the same way. Seeing you advocate for yourself might actually empower others to make the similar changes that work for them.

Whatever you decide to do, trust yourself. And know that Empower Work is here to help you sort through what you’re experiencing and talk through your options if needed. Having a trusted person to discuss tough situations with is a great first step to take when figuring out what you want to do.

Text us: 510-674-1414. It’s free and confidential. Our trained peer counselors are here to listen, support, and talk through options.