No doubt that everyone has faced that high-and-mighty kind of boss at least once in life. Some people just opt for putting up with such a state of affairs and silently search for “10 signs of a toxic work environment” or “top signs of a toxic boss”. However, one should keep in mind that this approach is fraught with quick burnout, anxiety, and constant resentment. Others do not turn a blind eye to this issue and prefer more radical measures – getting their boss fired. Are you still reading? Awesome, you have found the right article.
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If you do feel the urge to get rid of your toxic boss, the thing you need first and foremost is sufficient evidence. Whether it is sarcastic remarks, inappropriate flirting which looks like sexual harassment, or coming later and leaving earlier – try to be on your toes and keep a record of anything that could work against the villain. Stop all forms of managerial abuse immediately!
As we have already mentioned, the proof is the key element in this mission since ‘a difficult personality’ and ‘frequent mood swings’ can hardly serve as reasons for getting your boss sacked. Try recalling any situations which made you feel uncomfortable or stumped. Remember, no man is an island, do ask your colleagues for help. If your boss really tends to abuse his power and authority, other employees should have noticed it as well. People might sometimes feel too insecure at their workplace or unwilling to stand out solo, and collective spirit is just what they seek. However, make sure first that they share your point of view and have genuine intentions. Otherwise, instead of finding allies, you can end up being fired yourself.
Besides interviewing your co-workers, monitor their interaction as well. It often happens that people are not even aware of someone violating their boundaries. That is why they may not help you while being asked, but if you have witnessed the fact of abusive or disrespectful behavior with your own eyes and recorded it, your boss has no chances! The list of grounds for termination includes racial or gender discrimination, ageism, authority abuse, rude manner of communication, biased attitude or having favorites, taking credit for others’ ideas or achievements, and so on. Making ‘innocent jokes’ sometimes is not that innocent at all, and we should make a difference.
Since the case might take a long time to succeed, it is vital to maintain a structured approach throughout the whole process. That is why there are some serious points to consider. Firstly, you need to decide where you are going to keep your records. If it is your laptop or computer, make sure nobody else has access to it. You do not want your investigation process to finish beforehand, right? If you are using a good old notebook, the issue is the same – watch it out 24/7. A cell seems to be the most reasonable approach, and this is why. Firstly, your phone is always with you, which means you can make notes or records literally anytime. Secondly, even if you have left it somewhere, there is a password or face ID which makes your phone almost invincible in this fight for secret data. Finally, our phone is a multi-functional device with a camera and an audio recorder that can be exploited at any moment. What else do you need for a successful mission?
We have already figured out what tools are required for making notes and collecting evidence. Now let’s define how exactly information should be organized to provide enough details and be convincing at the end of the day. While writing down the notes, do include the specifics – the time, date, or place of the incident. Sometimes your personal comments alone are unlikely to guarantee termination. In this case, visual or factual materials are more likely to work. Those include pictures, videos, or audio records. At the same time, be careful with them, as filming other people without their permission is against the law and may have no evidentiary weight in court.
No doubt, the activity itself might be engaging, however, your aim is to get your boss fired, not neglecting your duties, for instance. Remember to be as efficient and productive as possible during this case, depriving your boss or anybody of their watchdogs of an opportunity to accuse you of being a poor performer. The mission “how to get your boss fired ” can easily turn into “how to make ends meet after losing my job”. The entire company must see a dedicated and hard-working employee.
As we have mentioned before, allies can significantly contribute to the case. One should just be vigilant when choosing those, not to become a victim of a backstabber. In case you are a rookie, it is reasonable to take some time and observe everybody in the office, so to say, identify who is who and then take further steps. If you are aware of all your colleagues’ red flags, the chances to be let down in the middle of the mission substantially decrease. Collect all the necessary data about the individuals you are aiming to cooperate with, make conclusions and just get down to business.
As a famous proverb says, people who live in glass houses should not throw stones. If you dare to infringe upon the holy of holies, be ready to meet all the standards of an employee of the month. This is the most powerful evidence of you having the best intentions that are aimed to help your company thrive. Leave your opponent no chances to stick to a teeny-tiny slip of yours. Moreover, you have been taken on and are regularly paid money for doing your work, not being a forest nurse. That is why your duties should still have the first priority.
Even if you do follow all the aforementioned recommendations, hope for the best and be prepared for the worst. Your boss or their underlings might have sussed out your intentions to show their true colors and are just waiting for the right moment to one-up you. On the other hand, your boss might not be fired at all, so you should soberly assess the chances of you and your boss working together after everything is revealed. If it does not sound like an uphill battle, just keep ongoing. Otherwise, you would better go over available vacancies. Just in case.
This is the finish stretch and the right time to piece all the collected facts and evidence together. Get rid of all the emotions and be prepared to stand your ground till the very end.
Before you provide proof of your boss being unprofessional, eliminate all possible flaws. No way will you present your data on unbound scraps of paper! It is essential to organize all your materials properly, so you can validate the charges easily. Remember to include any actual materials such as photos, video, or audio records, so that you will be able to back up your observations. Creating a presentation with all the mentioned above will give you extra points, increase your credibility and help you boost your reputation in the eyes of your management.
This is the day. When you make an appointment with your human resources manager, let them know the genuine reason for your meeting and also make sure they can guarantee absolute privacy and confidentiality. As the meeting has started, there is no room for emotions, try to be as unbiased as possible, operating only with hard facts. All the attempts to show off, including calling names or expressing your subjective opinion, may create an image of you being a drama queen or just suffering from hypervigilance. Finally, demonstrate your appreciation for allocating time and having this conversation. Let them understand your case is about the company’s prosperity, not your well-being.
The majority of companies have the following structure – top management, middle managers, and heads of departments. In case there is no HR department, you need somebody higher in the hierarchy than your boss. However, if you work for a small company with no common hierarchical structure, you are less lucky. Basically, the best option will be just to find a new job, because the principles of hiring and firing staff are a bit different. Managers and owners usually get along very well, so the most likely outcome is you getting the sack, not your boss. But at least you leave with a pure soul and peace in your heart.
