“Toxic boss and environment caused us all to quit. Now what do we do?”
Published on November 20th, 2009 by Alan Sklover
Question: What do you do when your boss has tremendous authority, he threatens to kill himself, and he looks at porn on the office computer with women employees? After he was discovered, he began to bully the staff, and ultimately the entire staff quit. To top it off, we have all been exposed to toxic mold. Any suggestions now that we are all unemployed?
Needing Direction
Camp Verde, Arizona
Answer: Forgive my analogy, but “Dust yourself off, get back on your horse, and ride off in the direction of what seems like greener pastures.”
There are times in all of our lives in which a relation – sometimes the employment relation – is just horrible, toxic and unbearable. What can we do? In two words: “Move on.” In your case, you should apply for unemployment, seek a new job, try not to criticize your former boss during interviews (no matter how much he deserves it), and try to get hired by a person who is more “normal” than your former boss, although “more normal” than he is should not be too difficult to find, I think you would agree.
My hope, and my expectation, is that in a year you will look back at your former boss as a source of jokes and stories to tell at parties, rather than the disaster you now still feel. I think you will find that nearly everyone has had a boss almost as nuts as yours was.
In case this happens to you again, you might find it helpful to read our Newsletter, “12 Ideas for Dealing with The Boss From Hell.”
Give it time. Give yourself a break. Don’t forget: “Time heals all wounds and wounds all heals.”
My best to you,
Al Sklover
© 2009 Alan L. Sklover, All Rights Reserved.
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I don’t know that I agree with all of your advice, although the point may be partially moot as a result of the date of this event.
If anyone believes that there is mold exposure in your place of work and your employer has done nothing, contact the CDC in your state, as there are health issues that may need to be dealt with. There limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy individuals. If you can see a doctor, in case you need disability to cover you for any related health issues.
As far as the porn, what do you mean in case this happens to you again? The former employee should immediate contact their state DOL, not read your literature. This reads as grounds for pervasive hostile environment. Get an attorney, and since everyone (I don’t know how many bodies this represents) quit, sue as a class action.
Hired by a normal person? How would you know that until you work for that person? No one ever knows what they have until they have to live with something. Employees with regard to employers and vice versa. How many times have we interviewed with an employer who “seemed so nice” but once you start working there the person turns out to be Simon(e) Legree? How many times has an employer hired someone who came in dressed appropriately and spoke properly but once in the position was in need of attitudinal adjustments and/or belonged in mental assisted care facility?
Definitely file for unemployment but remember if you are rejected APPEAL. You have that right.
It will be a while before such a situation heals. Pray for healing. Pray for release.