Dealing With a Condescending Boss
A common workplace issue that many employees have is dealing with a condescending boss. In most cases, “condescension” is simply the person’s tone of voice and nothing else. Employees often claim that their boss’s words aren’t even the problem; it is the overall feeling of being spoken down to. If you are experiencing this with your supervisor, it helps to figure out how you should handle the situation.
If you believe your employer has wronged you, call our California employment law attorneys or contact us online today to schedule a confidential consultation at (888) 796-4010!
Analyze the Situation
It’s important to analyze your boss’s condescending tone to determine if there might have been a misunderstanding. Busy executives are often put under a lot of pressure and can sometimes focus solely on the facts and not feelings. Although this isn’t a valid reason for your boss to speak down to you, it may help to have an unbiased point of view to determine if there was an underlying issue.
It’s also helpful to analyze your situation because you might find that your boss only has a condescending tone through email. If that’s the case, it is easy to misinterpret the tone through email and chat. Getting more face-to-face with your boss can help you determine if it was just a misunderstanding.
Bring It to Your Boss’s Attention
If you notice that the condescending tone is a recurring issue that makes you uncomfortable, you should bring it to your supervisor’s attention. In some cases, supervisors might be completely unaware of the impact they are having on others. For such reasons, a strategic and non-confrontational discussion can help you bring attention to the issue.
Be specific about the issues you are having, and simply have a conversation with them to determine an underlying issue. In many cases, a simple and honest conversation with your boss can resolve the problem.
Develop Coping Techniques
If the conversation with your supervisor failed to work and you discovered that it wasn’t an issue related to your work performance, you may need to focus on developing a coping mechanism. Taking breaks and getting some fresh air can help you cope with the situation. However, if your boss’s behavior affects your work performance and decreases your motivation, it may be time to act.
How Can I Tell If I Am Being Harassed or Discriminated Against?
Many harassment and discrimination cases start with a condescending boss or coworker. Although it isn’t always the case, it is important to know how to identify harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
Workplace harassment is a form of discrimination in California. According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, harassment occurs when you are being subjected to a work environment that is intimidating, hostile, or offensive.
If you believe you are facing discrimination because due to any of the following reasons, you may have an employment law claim. They are:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex
- Pregnancy
- National origin
- Disability,
- Genetic information
Reach Out to Our Firm Today
If your boss’s condescending behavior has led you to believe that it is related to discrimination or harassment, you have employment rights that protect you. An employer can’t prohibit you from getting:
- Promotions
- Raises
- Or treat you differently because of your race, religion, or other protected class
Our California employment law attorneys have helped employees throughout the state protect their employment rights. We can analyze your situation and help you determine if you have a valid employment law case.
Contact our California employment law attorneys today at (888) 796-4010 to schedule a case review with Polaris Law Group!