I’ve been there and it didn’t get better; got worse. What got me through the day-to-day while job-hunting on the side was praying for this boss (a miserable, lying wretch who could put on a good “pleasant guy” cover as needed, but a total slime under the rice paper-thin cover). What got me “let go,” with severance, and brought me to 4 months unemployment; 6 months of a contract position, and then to my current job (which is so awesome!) was telling the truth. After a lot of prayer and 100% trust in God, I blew the whistle with six months worth of documentation of my bosses’ theft activities (recorded and verified on my own time). The board of directors listened to me and also listened to whatever smears the boss dreamt up (on company time, of course; he spent three days writing and I’d never seen him work so hard in the whole 4.5 years), and then offered me two options - either stay and have a hearing of sorts with the board ultimately deciding the outcome, or immediate termination with a big fat severance and agreement to not discuss what went on. I took the later, having no interest in giving audience to whatever the boss was saying and I was in total peace because I had nothing to hide and the truth was on my side. I proceeded to discuss exactly why I left in every single job interview after that and God connected me with the best job ever that I love and am so grateful for. I work with honest, hardworking people and have bosses that I respect, admire and enjoy getting to work for.
My main point is that I stayed in the truth, trusted God, and had wonderful friends in my life who listened to my frustrations and disgust about what I observed this boss doing and the way he shamelessly lied all the time. Praying for that boss every morning before work is the only way I got through it without melting down crying or opening up a can of outrage at that guy; a lot of mornings (and Sunday nights) I would cry just dreading going back to that office because it was so offensive to be around that guy.
I will keep you in prayer. One day this will be just another memory for you and I trust God has a better place for you to be of service and earn an income. In fact, congratulations in advance on your new job!
In FRiendship,
Been there.
I eventually got to the point where the Sunday night dread migrated to FRIDAY night.
Definitely stayed there too long!
Thank you Monica - it took a lot of courage to do what you did.
My boss, too, is lying wretch. What started this whole mess, was an incident when he got drunk during a business trip - started drinking at 5:30 PM and by 11 PM just turned on me. (We were at a restaurant and I know, I wish I had just left, but he’s very controlling about people attending dinners and stuff.) A very mean drunk. I started crying.
I didn’t say anything because I felt that if I pretended nothing happened - maybe it would be forgotten. But, NO! His entire attitude toward me changed and he has not stopped for 8 months. I really tried talking to him, giving him face saving ways out, but he always maintained a front of unremitting hostility.
During this time, he started criticizing me to the other team members. And, they are afraid of him, but also - this weird group dynamic started where I became the target.
It’s been very demoralizing.
Your experience is inspirational (especially the part about praying for your boss). Thank you for sharing it.