Do I confront boss or talk to her boss?

[Anonymous]

I work in a global company. My boss is based out in Europe and I’m here in DC. I recently started reporting to her after my prev European boss. This new one had me schedule our 1:1’s during a time convenient to her (very early). I make the meetings but she always comes late, she is never prepared. Whenever I talk to her, I see her typing on her computer and not listening. And then when I ask her something she gives me a blank stare. I am self sufficient and quite experienced so I get by without her advice but her ignoring me is rude! I’ve asked her before if it’s a good time etc and she says yes, but she still gives the blank stare by sneakily typing. Do I confront her again? Or should I go to her boss?

This is just one annoyance of many with her. She’s a micromanager, attending all my meetings (does it to her other reports too). Many times responding to emails directed to me. Downplays what I do. With me being off for Thanksgiving, I saw she went into some work I had done and she redid it this past Friday. I’m at my wits end and while I love my company, this beast is making me want to leave

[Anonymous]

Go with written communication as much as possible. Do your best not to take offense at their behavior, focus on whether the work is being done. Their personal interaction skills sound lacking but if the work is not impacted does it really matter? Don't allow their behavior to steal your joy.

[Anonymous]

Are you a valued employee? Good performance reviews, promotion trajectory? If so you should definitely make it known to your skip level that you are unhappy and considering a departure.

[Anonymous]

These things are annoying and your frustration is totally justified. Unfortunately, I don’t think anything would get better for you by complaining to your boss or the second-level boss about it.

At most, I’d say during a meeting with your boss, as kindly as you can, something like: “you seem preoccupied/distracted, would it be better for you if we postponed this meeting or made these meetings less frequent? I’m flexible and happy to do whatever makes the most sense for you.”

[Anonymous]

I have a boss like this and she finally quit. Document everything, and if her behavior affects your performance, go to her boss.

[Anonymous]

I don't think doing either is likely to make things better, OP.

I'd vow to outlast her or start looking. Starting to look is always a good Plan B.

Sorry, this sucks.

[Anonymous]

I don’t get why it’s annoying enough to go to her boss. I love when people don’t care about my work because they don’t question or micromanage and I can actually accomplish my job. As for redoing your work, you might want to look and figure out why and whether you are meeting her standards before going over her head.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think there’s anything you can do about this type of behavior. Look for a lateral move within the company.

[Anonymous]

I get you're offended at her rudeness, but it's not ANYWHERE NEAR the level of unprofessionalism you'd need to complain to her boss. You're just going to make yourself look bad.

It doesn't matter that she's multitasking in your meetings. If she's always late, you can say: "These meetings appear to be a little early for both of us: are you available sometime later?". Just ask for what's most convenient for you.

It doesn't matter that she goes into your work product to tweak it, as long as she doesn't make it objectively worse while your name is on it. It doesn't matter that she attends your meetings or responds in your place as long as, again, her replies don't significantly downgrade the quality of the product.

The only thing her boss will care about is if this person actively sabotages your work product. Then you can document the changes she makes, emails she's sent, etc, and prove that she's not an asset to the company.

[Anonymous]

Start looking for a new job, OP. I've had a supervisor like this. She was driven by self-interest and wholly embraced her superiority relative to others. Not a good supervisor by any standards. You will just be a number to her, an obstacle to be removed or a pawn to advance her own agenda. Appealing to her boss won't do much, unless you are asked for feedback directly.

In my situation, our boss and HR got involved because she was a dumpster fire, while holding everyone else to a high standard. But they weren't getting rid of her, just requiring retakes of basic supervisory training, a 360 review, and lots of mentoring. I left.

[Anonymous]

I would confront her about the work she redid and ask why she changed it.

[Anonymous]

Confronting anyone in management is fraught with peril. I usually start looking for a new job, internally or externally, instead.

[Anonymous]

Your the subordinate be greatful you get a 1-1

[Anonymous]

What European country? This would affect my answer on what to do.

[Anonymous]

Work around her. Talk to the grandboss if you need something manager isn't providing. If grandboss asks why, say that you asked manager but manager was busy with other priorities. Maybe grandboss will get the hint and hire an additional or replacement manager.