Is My Boss a Bully [QUIZ]

Being bullied by a boss is much more common than one may imagine. According to 2017 study, as many as 60.3 million Americans (or about 39 percent of the employed population) are affected by bullying in the workplace with most of the bullies being bosses [1]. Workplace bullying can be very damaging, and it’s generally advised to deal with the issue as soon as possible.

So is your boss a bully? Take the test below to find out.

Every interaction with my boss leaves me confused.
true
false

I keep thinking of what I could have said to my boss when I come home.
true
false

No matter what I do, it’s never good enough for my boss.
true
false

My boss’s criticism aims to destroy me (i.e. it’s not constructive criticism).
true
false

My boss takes every opportunity to show that my point of view has no validity.
true
false

My boss is verbally abusive.
true
false

My boss humiliates me in public.
true
false

My boss attacks me on a personal level rather than criticizing my work.
true
false

My boss’s criticism is disabling (i.e. they make your job harder).
true
false

My boss does everything to prevent my professional growth.
true
false

My colleagues stopped socializing with me.
true
false

I feel agitated and anxious.
true
false

I am accused of incompetence.
true
false

My health has suffered as a result of workplace harassment.
true
false

My boss takes credit for my ideas / hard work.
true
false

My boss treats me like a servant.
true
false

My boss explodes in rage if his or her orders are not carried out immediately.
true
false

My boss intentionally creates conflicts even out of small things.
true
false

My boss becomes increasingly abusive.
true
false

My boss takes every opportunity to demonstrate his or her power and importance.
true
false

RESULTS

If you answered many of these questions with a “yes”, it is highly likely that your boss is a bully. Things may get confusing because some bosses behave in an intimidating manner because they believe that it helps them to bring out the best in their employees.

Here’s how to tell the difference between a tough boss and a bully:

• A tough boss offers constructive criticism while a bully criticizes his or her subordinates to crush their spirits.
• Despite being intimidating, a tough boss is at least somewhat inspiring. Bullies are never inspiring!
• A tough boss is tough on everyone while a bully picks one or several victims.
• If you attempt to confront a bully, he or she is likely to accuse you of being ungrateful.
• A tough boss allows people grow and develop while a bully feels threatened by his or her subordinates.
• A bully orders people around, treating them like servants.

Dealing with a bully

To be able to confront your boss, you need to make sure you are emotionally stable enough to do so. You may want to work with a therapist or a mental health professional to make sure you can make rational and clear-headed decisions regarding your career.

If you fear for your safety, do not confront your boss alone. Instead, check your company’s policies regarding workplace harassment and investigate your legal options.

Finally, if you exhausted all options and gotten no help, it is probably better to cut your losses and leave the company.

Get help with bullying at work (download)

Use CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to deal with anxiety and emotional problems.

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